New SS: Tanhai Part 9 pg69 Dec 27 - Page 41

oh jaz..i forgort to edit my comment!!! 😲 😲 😲 sorry...will edit it now..he he..before yuh post yr next update..

lol...edited ..the reserved part..!!!😃😃😃

Heer was so stunned at the revelation that came out that she was speechless. She cried in her brothers arms for what seemed like a life time. Before she knew it, she was sitting on the couch with Rishab. Nihaal and Harman occupied two arm chairs, one on each side of the couch. She had her head resting on Rishab's shoulder as the tried, and failed, to get her to stop crying. Eventually they stopped talking and just let her be. They didn't leave the room. All three brothers stayed and just offered their support to Heer. If she needed it, they would happily give it.

Heer broke the silence first when she asked, "Bauji ne mere saath aaisa kyun kiya?"

None of her brothers knew how to answer so they remained quite.

"Ladki hoke maine aaisi kya ghalti kardi ke Bauji mujhse itna nafrat karte hai?" she asked.

"Iss mein teri koi ghalti nahin hai," Rishab said.

"Mujhe humesha lagta tha ke Bauji mujhe aur Veera ko saab se zyada pyaar karte hai kyun ke hum unke laadli the. Bauji humse itna nafrat karenge mujhe vishvas hi nahin horaha hai," Heer added.

"Jaab Bauji ne humare saamne yeh ultimatum rakhe the, taab hume bhi vishvas nahin hua," Nihaal added.

Heer finally sat up straight and asked, "Itne saloon se aap logoon ne kissi ko kuch nahin bataya. Aap ne mujhe nahin bataya. Kyun?"

It was Harman who responded. "Aagar humne tujhse yeh baath kahe the, kya tu hum paar yakeen karti?"

"Nahin, shayad nahin karti." Heer wanted to say that yes, she would have believed them. But the truth was, she wouldn't have. Since Prem's death, if her brothers were the ones to tell her sky was blue, she would have called them liars. "I'm sorry," Heer said.

"Aare, tu kyun maafi mang rahi hai?" Nihaal asked.

"Pichle sath saloon mein, maine aap logoon ko koi izzat nahin di, aap logoon se baatein nahin ki. Aur uss din maine kya kuch nahin suna diya," Heer said.

"Iss mein teri koi ghalti nahin hai," Rishab said. "Tera gussa hona jayaz hai. Hum tujhe bilkul dosh nahin dete."

"Phir bhi…" Heer began to say.

"Nahin Heer, tu maafi nahin mangegi. Zindagi teri barbad hui hai. Kushiyaan teri luti hai. Woh bhi humare karan. Maafi toh hume mangni chahiyeh," Harman said.

"Lekin iss mein aap saab ka bhi tho ghalti nahin hai naa? Saach mein saab ek ghalti hi thi," Heer said.

"Nahin. Tune saach hi kahaa tha. Prem ke katil hum teeno hai. Ghalti ka naam deh ke, hum usse nazaar andaaz nahin kaar sakte," said Nihaal.

"Joh kuch bhi hua hai, woh ghalti ho ya joh bhi ho. Saab se maine yeh baath rakhte hai ke aaj humare vaje se Prem tere saath nahin hai. Humare vaje se tu ek vidva ki zindagi jee rahi hai." Rishab chocked up as he expressed his thoughts.

Tears sprang to Heer's eyes as she saw her brothers get so emotional. The tears were just spilling over when in walked Maya, Meher and Kulraj walked in looking for their husbands.

"Abhi tak tum saab…" Kulraj was on a rant but immediately became quiet when she saw Heer in the study with the men.

"What did you do to her?" Maya asked as she rushed to Heer's side. "Heer, tu tik toh hai naa? Kyun roh rahi hai?"

"Kyun Heer ke peeche pade ho tum saab?" Meher asked as she too comforted Heer.

"Usse aur dard dene pe kyun tule ho?" Kulraj yelled.

"Nahin Bhabi, nahin," Heer said. She had to stop them before they said something they shouldn't. "Inhone kuch nahin kiya."

"Nahin Heer, Kulraj saach keh rahi hai," Rishab said. "Uss din tu bhi sahi thi, hum teeno tere gunegar hai. Hume maaf kaardena."

What her brothers did next completely shocked Heer. Each of them put their hands together and asked for forgiveness. To see her brother so broken and hurting, like she had been for so many years, caused Heer's heart to ache. The sister in her was alive again. Without saying another word, Heer simply went and hugged her brothers. She wanted to forgive them and not hold any more grudges, because after all, what had happened 7 years ago hadn't been their fault. But could she?

She needed time to think. She needed time to breathe. She needed time to absorb everything that just happened. She walked out of the room with tears in her eyes and questions in her mind. The rest of that night Heer thought about her brothers. She thought about her protective, loving brothers who had been there for her in so many situations. Even with the most trivial heart breaks, they were right there with her – guiding her and helping her.

*~* Flash Back *~*

(Heer = 5, Rishab = 17, Nihaal = 15 & Harman = 13)

It was Heer's first day at her new school – it hadn't gone so well. She was the new kid in a co-ed school. The first day began with teasing in the yard. It continued during recess and lunch. There was one girl who was particularly horrible to her. The girl was just plain mean – she took Heer's hair clips. When the driver had gone to pick her up, Heer hadn't said one word. She stormed into the house with out a word to any of the workers. Everyone was shocked by her behavior, because Heer was usually so jovial and talkative. What Heer needed more than anything else was to talk to her mom, but that wasn't going to happen. Her parents were out of town for the next few days because of a business meeting her dad had.

She dropped her backpack in her room and walked straight to Rishab's room. She knocked and asked, "Kya main andar aa sakti hoon Bhaia?" She didn't wait for an answer, she just walked in.

Heer saw the comforter that her brother used lying on the floor – exactly where she expected it. When Rishab got up in the mornings, he literally rolled out of bed dropping the comforter on the floor. Heer sat with her legs folded under her body and cuddled with the comforter. It was then that she realized her brother had been on the phone because he was saying bye to whoever was on the other end.

"Heer," Rishab called out as he turned his body from the chair he was sitting in, "Jaab tak andar aane ki ijazat nahin milti, tum aaise andar nahin aa sakte."

"Sorry," she said as she bit the corner of the comforter, "Phirse nahin hoga."

Rishab heard Heer sniffle quietly. When he looked at his little sister closely, he could see her cheeks were wet with tears. "Tu roh rahi hai?" he asked.

Heer quickly wiped her face with her hands before she responded. "Nahin toh," she lied.

"Kya baath hai Heer, tum roh kyun rahi ho? Kissi ne kuch kahaa tujhse?" Rishab asked.

"Nahin Bhaia. Main nahin roh rahi hoon. Saachi." Heer put her hand on her throat like she was swearing she was telling the truth.

Rishab glanced at the clock on his desk, it was nearly time for him to leave for soccer practice. He knew that Heer wasn't going to give him anything now, he figured he'd check in with her once he got home. Rishab was putting on his shoes when he remembered that it had been Heer's first day at her new school. "School kaisa raha?" he asked innocently.

What came next completely left Rishab shocked. Heer threw herself on the floor and began to wail and cry about what had happened at school. She was yelling so loudly that Rishab knew he could easily have hearing damage if she went on for too long. Heer went on and on about how bad her day was, except none of it made any sense to Rishab.

"Woh ladki…mujhe vahaan pe bithaya…mere clips khane nahin di…haans rahi the saab humpar…buri hai aur teacher ne…kitna rulaya," Heer rambled.

Rishab was afraid that the girl wasn't breathing as she ranted on. Rishab would have laughed it Heer didn't look so pained. It was then that Nihaal and Harman came barging into Rishab's room with horrified looks on their faces.

"What did you do? Why did you make her cry?" Nihaal asked. He was in his all English speaking phase.

"Why would you make a little girl cry?" Harman asked.

Apparently, Harman had just joined the English only club. Nihaal complained that everyone at school spoke such clear English that he felt out of place. So, he practiced at home. He spoke English day in and day out with everyone – everyone except their father. It was annoying, but good for their education, so Rishab went along with it.

"I did not make her cry," Rishab said.

"Hey Heer, don't cry," Harman said as he sat next to her on the floor and patted her shoulder to try and comfort her.

Heer's cries died down to whimpers.

"What's wrong with her?" Nihaal asked.

"I don't know. But what ever you do, don't ask about…." Rishab was just about to finish his sentence when Harman spoke.

"Hey, who was your first day of school?" Harman asked heer.

"…school." By the time Rishab said the word, it was too late.

Heer threw herself at Harman and grabbed onto him for dear life. She began cry and re-telling her horrifying tale to Harman who was beside himself with confusion.

"She had a bad day?" Nihaal whispered.

"You think!" Rishab said.

Rishab couldn't stand it any longer. The look on Harman's face was priceless. Rishab and Nihaal both turned their faces and tried to laugh quietly – they didn't want to hurt their baby sisters feelings.

"What is she saying?" Harman asked in a low tone.

"I have no idea," Rishab responded. Seeing that Heer wasn't planning to stop crying, he stepped in. Rishab kneeled down beside her and pulled Heer so that she was sitting enough. "Enough Heer. Tell me what happened." Rishab realized that he was talking to Heer in english and that she may not understand. "I mean, kya hua?"

"Mujhe English aata hai," Heer said as she wiped her nose on Rishab's comforter.

"Ok, fine. What happened?" Rishab asked again.

"Nothing," Heer said.

"Look Heer I have to be at practice. What's the problem? Rishab asked.

"There is no problem, I'm just not going to school any more," Heer announced.

"Why not?" Harman asked.

"Because, it's funner here at home," Heer responded.

"Your English is appalling!" Nihaal said. "It's 'more fun' not 'funner'."

"Which is why you need to go to school," Harman said.

"Heer baas, bohot hogaya. Saach saach bata ke hua kya hai?" Rishab asked.

"Woh…school mein ek ladki hai joh aachi nahin hai," Heer confessed.

"Kyun? Ussne aaisa kya kiya?" Nihaal asked.

"Woh bohot buri hai." That was all Heer said.

Rishab saw his younger brother run a hand through his hair in frustration before repeating his questin. "Lekin ussne kiya kya?"

"Recess ke time pe mujhe khaane nahin diya. Woh sirf mujhe nahin tang karte, woh hum saab ko tang karti hai," Heer said. "Aur…usner meri clips churali li!"

Her brothers became guarded when Heer's bottom lip began to quiver. In less than a second, she was crying again.

"Damn," Harman yelled, "She's loud!"

"Ok Heer, calm down. Shant hojao," Rishab said as she wiped her tears.

"Heer, aagar tumne hum aapni problem nahin batayi toh hum usse kaise tik karenge?" Nihaal asked.

"Hum problem ko solve nahin karenge. Heer karegi," Rishab said.

"No I'm not. Main school vapas nahin jaungi." Heer was adamant in her decision.

"Tu aapni problem se nahin bhag sakti Heer," Rishab added.

"I don't care. Main vapas nahin jaungi!"

"Hold on Rishab Bhaia," Harman began to say. "If some kid is harassing out little sister, we should do…"

Rishab raised a hand to get Harman to stop talking. "First we need to get all the facts." Rishab turned to Heer and asked, "Ladki kaun hai? Uska naam kya hai?"

Heer shrugged her shoulders and said, "I don't know."

"How old is she?"

Again, the response came in the from of another shrug.

"Bhaia, how is she supposed to know that?" Nihaal asked. "She is only in kindergarten."

"Nahin, main jaanti hoon. Main jaanti hoon ke woh second grade mein padti hai," Heer answered. "And I know that she is very buri. Hum usse pasand nahin karte"

Nihaal smacked his head. "We've established that she is 'buri'. And who is this 'hum'?"

"Woh meri ek friend hai school mein, Neha," Heer explained.

"See. School ki pehli din hi tune ek friend banali hai. Very good." Rishab thought the drama was all over so he grabbed his soccer gear and got up to leave when he heard Harman call out to him.

"Bhaia wait," He said. "How can you leave before we figure out what to do about that bully."

"Are you kidding me?" Rishab asked exasperated. "The 'bully' is a second grader. She is no more than seven years old!"

"Still, we need to do something to protect Heer," Nihaal added.

"Like what? Go to school tomorrow and terrorize the kid?" Rishab asked.

"Yes! Mujhe woh idea bohot pasand hai!" Heer agreed. "Make her leave me and Neha alone."

"Neha and I," Nihaal corrected at the same time that Rishab spoke.

"Or, you can stand up to the bully. Tu usse keh ke woh tujhe aur teri friend ko akela chod de aur tum dono ko tang maat kare," Rishab said.

"Mujhe pehla wala idea aachi lagi," Heer said as she twiddled her fingers.

"Pehla wala?" Rishab asked.

"Haan. Jaab aap, Nihaal Bhaia aur Harman Bhaia mere saath school chalenge aur uss bully ko darayenge. Mujhe woh wala solution chahiyeh," Heer said.

"Dekho Heer, duniya mein doh tarha ki log hote hai. Ek, joh aapne problems se bhagte hai. Aur dusra woh, joh aapne problems ko face karte hai. Aur tu ek Maan hai," Rishab explained.

"Maan's kya karte?" she asked.

"Maan's aapne problems head on face karte hai. Maan's kissi se nahin darte."

"Bhaia is absolutely right," Nihaal added.

"Aagar main usse daar gayi toh?" Heer asked after thinking for a moment.

"Toh yeh soochna ke hum theeno tere piche khade hai. Hum humesha tere saath hai," Rishab said.

"Saachi?" Heer asked hesitantly.

"Muchi," Rishab answered. "Chal, aab muskura de."

Heer finally cracked a sweet smile and brought a smile to all of her brother's faces. She threw herself at Rishab and hugged him tightly. "I love you Bhaia," she whispered.

"I love you too." Rishab enjoyed his moment with his baby sister for only a moment. "Aab chod, mujhe practice ke liyeh vaise bhi dehr hogaya hai."

Rishab grabbed his gear and rushed out of the room leaving Nihaal and Harman to deal with the after math of Heer's first breakdown.

The next day at school, when the girl had come up to Heer and Neha to take their lunches and clips, Heer had stood up to her. Heer had a speech planned and everything. However, when it came time to give it she chocked. She became so nervous and nauseous that she couldn't help herself. Heer ended up throwing up all over the girls shoes. Needless to say, the girl didn't bother Heer or Neha again.

*~* Back to Present *~*

That night Heer remembered the countless times her brothers had supported her. They were always there to help if she really needed it, but they didn't offer until she asked. They had been the ones to teach her how to be strong, independent and confident in whatever she did. They had taught her to be true to herself and speak up against injustice. Her brothers had taught her to support what is right and always follow her heart.

When her Prem had died, so had the three brothers that she idealized. One night had take away four people that she had loved with all her heart. For years, she was unaware of the truth. For years she was unaware of the pain and turmoil that raged in her brothers minds because of what they had done. One moment of weakness – on single moment out of millions – had ruined everything.

Heer knew that she forgave her brothers, or that she should. Some part of her couldn't completely forgive them because even though it was one wrong decision that destroyed her life – it had been their decision. It had been their mistake.

The past was the past. There was nothing Heer could do to change it. However, she could alter the future. She could determine how the future would play out for her. Heer got up that morning with a new found hope in her heart. There was something that she needed to do.

When Heer got downstairs she saw her mother and Bhabi's were all in the kitchen busily working. The men of the family were nowhere in sight.

"Kya chal raha hai?" Heer asked as she entered the kitchen.

"Kuch nahin," Teji answered as she stirred a pot on the stove.

"Phir, itna saara khana kyun baan raha hai?"

Kulraj pulled the fridge open and pulled out carrots as she answered, "Aaj Veera aa rahi hai naa, Pag-Phere ke rasam ke liyeh. Issi liyeh Maa chati hai ke saab kuch Veera ki pasand ki ho."

"Woh toh tik hai, lekin phir bhi. Maa, itna saara khana? Veera kaal hi toh gayi thi. Aap toh aase pesh aa rahe ho jaise barsoon baad milne jaa rahi ho aapni beti se," Heer teased.

"Chup kaar," Teji reprimanded. "Teri beti jaab sasural jayegi, taab tuje paata chalega ke…" Teji's sentence trailed of and everyone became quiet.

All eyes were on Heer. Heer knew that her mother felt bad for rambling off and not even thinking about what she was saying. Heer just smiled weakly at the women. It wasn't their fault that she would never be a mother. She had her nieces and nephews, that's all she needed. Before anyone could say anything, the sound of the men filling the dining room floated to the kitchen. Heer went and hugged her mom before she left the kitchen.

In the dining room, Heer saw her three brothers in their seats – newspaper already open and in front of their faces. Heer didn't know how to start. Taking a deep breath she finally spoke.

"Bhaia," she called out.

Immediately, there was rustling of papers and then three sets of eyes were on her.

Rishab, Nihaal and Harman looked like deer caught in headlights. It was the first time in seven years that Heer had not only addressed them directly, but called them 'Bhaia'. They had been dying to hear that word from her for years. They had made peace with the fact that that was never going to happen. They had made peace with the fact that never again would their sister call them so affectionately. They were the villains in her life, they stole her happiness, they broke her heart, they ruined her life – they had made peace with that. So to hear her calling out to them was shocking to say the least. All three of them held their breaths, not knowing what to say.

The women in the kitchen too had over heard it and nearly came running into the dining room. Kulraj holding a carrot and peeler, Meher had flower all over her hands, Maya held a spatula in her right hand and Teji was wiping her hands on a towel.

"Bhaia woh…" Heer began to fidget with her dupatta.

Suddenly Rishab got worried. "Kya hua Heer? Saab tik hai naa?" he asked.

"Haan saab tik hai Bhaia. Baas woh…main kuch kaarna chati thi aap logoon ke saath," she said.

"Kya?" Harman asked confused.

"Woh, main chati thi ke…aagar aap ki ijazat ho toh…main…" Heer couldn't seem to finish her sentence.

"Kya hua Heer? Tu humse kuch bhi keh sakti hai. Kya baath hai?" Nihaal asked.

"Main aap logoon ko…woh…," Heer hesitated before finishing. "Main aap logoon ko rakhi bhandna chati hoon."

Everyone was left with their mouths gaping open. In the shock of it all, Maya dropped the spatula on the floor causing everyone to look at her.

"Sorry," Maya said as she escaped to the kitchen. The other ladies followed right behind her.

"Main jaan gayi hoon ke saach mein, joh kuch bhi hua woh saab ek ghalti thi. Ghalti aap logoon se hui hai, lekin uske zimedar aap theeno nahin hai. Pichle saath saloon se aap logoon ne meri nafrat chup chap sehte rahe. Bina kuch kahe. Jin rishtoon ko maine saath saal pehle thoda tha, main aaj usse jodna chati hoon." Heer looked at Rishab and asked, "Bhaia, kya main aap ko rakhi bhand sakti hoon?"

Rishab was speechless. All he could do is shake is head and smile at Heer.

As Heer went to get the arti ki thaali she could have sworn her brothers were all wiping tears from their eyes.

Her brothers were all sitting on the large couch out in the living room when Heer returned with all the necessary items. One by one she did each brothers arti and tied seven rakhi's on their hands – one for every year that she had missed. After that was all done Heer felt a sense of peace and a sense of love flow through her.

"Chal, aab bata. Tujhe kya chahiyeh?" Harman asked.

"Kuch nahin Bhaia, mujhe kuch nahin chahiyeh," Heer answered.

"Aaise kaise chalega. Kuch toh chahiyeh hoga tujhe," Nihaal remarked.

"Kuch nahin chahiyeh, saachi. Itne saloon baad mujhe mere theeno bhai vapas mile hai. Aur mujhe kya chahiyeh?" Heer smiled at her brothers – the first smile in years.

"Tere chere pe yeh muskaan dekhne ke liyeh akheen taras gaye the," Rishab said as he pulled Heer into a hug.

Soon she was crushed in a tight bear hug involving all three of her brothers. When they pulled apart Heer noticed the women of the house all wiping their tears.

"Chaalo, jaan chuti," Harman said as he wiped tears away.

"Kyun? Tu aaisa kyun keh raha hai?" Rishab asked.

"Aare, aagar Heer ne bhi Chutki ki tarha lambi list thamadi hoti? Aaj ka din toh pura barbad hojata shopping mein," Harman replied.

"Woh toh hai. Behne toh hoti hai, mashallah, badi pyaari. Lekin Chutki…woh toh..subhan-allah," Nihaal replied.

Everyone fell into a fit of laughter, including Heer.

"Ek din bhi nahin hue ke meri vidaai hue aur aap saab already mera mazak uda rahe ho?" someone said.

Everyone looked towards to see Veera standing there with her hands on her hips, and a frown on her face.

"Chutki, tu aagayi?" Teji said as she raced to embrace her daughter. "Damad-ji nahin aaye?"

"Nahin. Woh office mein kuch zaroori kaam aagaya hai toh unhe jaana pada. Lekin woh doh ghante mein aajayehge," Veera replied.

"Oh oh…kya baath hai," Kulraj said as she hugged Veera. "Unhe…woh…haye haye!"

"Bhabi!" Veera said as she blushed one hundred shades of red.

One by one they all hugged Veera. It was finally Heer's turn.

"Zara dekhoon toh, meri choti si Chutki kaisi dik rahi hai shaadi ke baad," Heer said as she examined Veera from head to toe.

Veera looked beautiful. Not pretty – simply beautiful. She was dressed in a red and green saree that had golden work all over. She wore a beautiful set, her mangalsutra and of course her parting was colored with the red from her sindoor. Her most precious accessory – her smile.

"Shaadi ki baad toh tu bohot khil rahi hai," Maya commented as she came up.

"Baata. Kya baath hai Veera?" Meher teased.

The guys figured out that this conversation was leading up to only one thing – the wedding night. They took this hint to leave the women to do what they did best – talk. They definitely didn't want to be there for this conversation, especially considering it involved their baby sister.

"Aare aare, tum log kahaan jaa rahe ho?" Kulraj called. "Nashta toh karke jaao."

"Nahin hume kuch kaam hai. Hum raaste mein hi kuch kha lenge," Rishab called.

"Saturday mein kaunsa kaam?" Meher asked.

"Hai kuch, tum chinta maat karo," Rishab said.

With that, the men were gone. Once they were out of the house Rishab made a phone call and set up a meeting.

"Bhaia hum kahaan jaa rahe hai?" Nihaal asked.

"Preet Mehta se milne."

"Kyun?" Harman asked.

"Tujhe yaad hai, kuch din pehle Heer ne humse kuch mangi thi. Woh chati hai ke uski shaadi ki baath khabi naa uthe," Rishab said.

"Haan, yaad hai," Nihaal said.

"Saath saloon mein Heer ne humse kuch mangi hai. Aagar woh aaj jaan bhi mangle naa, toh main woh bhi deh doon. Yeh toh mamuli si baath hai," Rishab said.

"Tik keh rahe ho aap Bhaia," Harman said. "Hume Mr. Mehta se baas yeh kehna hai ke yeh shaadi…yeh deal…nahin hosakti."

"Haan. Heer ki kushi issi mein hai," Rishab said.

The brother all agreed…they knew what had to be done. Preet Mehta wasn't going to use their sister as a way to stick it to his father. Heer was their sister, not a means to an end. They had been the ones to teach Heer about love when she was a teenager. How could they now tell her not to believe in it and just go in whatever direction life takes you. They couldn't do that – they wouldn't do that.

*~* Flash Back*~*

(Heer = 15, Rishab = 27, Nihaal = 25 & Harman = 23)

Heer was in a predicament. It was the night before her first official date with Prem. She knew that she cared deeply for Prem, but she wasn't sure if it was love. What she needed more than anything else at the moment was a good heart to heart with any one of her sister-in-laws or ever her mother. Sadly, all of the women of the house had gone to a baby shower in the neighborhood. They left Heer behind because she had just recently gotten back from the debate competition – they wanted her to rest. However, rest was the farthest thing from her mind. Heer was down right restless.

Looking at the clock she saw it was 9pm – that meant that her brothers were in the library going over work files and sharing a drink. Not knowing what else to do Heer decided to go talk to them. She gently knocked and asked, "Main ajaoon Bhaia?"

"Heer?" she heard Rishab ask. "Aaja."

Heer quietly entered, playing with the string of her pajama in the process.

"Itne raath gaye, tu yahaan kya kaar rahi hai?" Nihaal asked as he put down the file he was looking at.

"Woh…mujhe aap logoon se kuch baatein karni hai," she said.

"Kis ke barein mein?" Harman asked.

"Pyaar," Heer blurted out before she could stop herself.

"Pyaar?" her three brother yelled out in unison.

"Woh…English class ke liyeh ek essay likhna hai," Heer said.

"Topic kya hai?" Harman asked.

"How does your family see love?" she said.

Heer was surprised at how quickly she produced the lie. She was even more shocked at how easily her brothers bought that lie.

"Tik hai. Kya baath hai?" Rishab asked as he took a sip of his drink.

Heer sat down in a large armchair b the fire place tucked her feet under her body before she continued. "Aap saab Bhabiyoon se pyaar karte hai naa?"

"Of course," Harman answered.

"Bohot pyaar," Nihaal added.

"Lekin, aapko kaise paata chala? Mera matlab hai ke kaise paata chala ke aap joh mehsoos kaar rahe hai woh pyaar hi hai?" Heer asked.

"Baas, paata chal jata hai," Rishab said.

"Kaise? Yeh pyaar kya hai?" Heer persisted.

"Pyaar woh ehsaas hai joh tumhare ruh mein baas jata hai. Pyaar woh ehsaas hai joh bina vaje tumne muskurane pe mujboor kardeta hai," Harman said.

"Jaab tum kissi ke bina jeene ka sooch bhi nahin sakte, usse kehte hai pyaar. Jaab kissi ko dard pouchne se tumhare akhoon se asoon nikalte hai, usse kehte hai pyaar. Jaab kissi aur ki kushiyaan aapni kushiyon se bhi zyada maine rakhte hai, usse kehte hai pyaar," Rishab added.

"Pyaar tuhme kushiyaan deta hai, tumhe takat deta hai, tumhe jeena ka vaja deta hai. Pyaar tumhe hasaata bhi hai, aur rulata bhi hai. Pyaar ek aaisi ehsaas hai joh ek baar hojayeh toh zindagi baan jati hai," Nihaal said.

"Saab se important yeh hai ke pyaar…pyaar doh insaan ko dil se, athma se aur ek dusre ke zindagi se jud deta hai." A smile came on Rishab's face that couldn't be missed.

"Jaab tumhe pyaar hota hai toh uss insaan ke liyeh tum puri duniya se lad sakte ho, aapni jaan tak deh sakte ho…woh bhi, bina shikayat kiyeh. Saab log kyun naa tumhara saath chod de, lekin pyaar…pyaar tumhara saath khabi nahin chodega," Harman said.

Heer looked on in awe. Her brothers were you typical, strong alpha males. To see them talking so candidly about love with her was almost surreal. She knew now that she definitely loved Prem, she had for some time now. She just didn't know what label fit her feelings for him. Now, now she knew. But was she strong enough, was her love for Prem strong enough to face the world?

"Kya pyaar mein itni takat hota hai?" she asked.

Harman piped in, "Kissi ne nahin kahaa ke pyaar karna ahsaan hai? Pyaar toh baas pyaar hai."

"Wah wah!" Nihaal yelled as he applauded his younger brother's attempt at poetry.

Rishab came and sat next to Heer and gently laid a hand on her head. "Pyaar woh hai joh maarne ke baad bhi tootha nahin. Pyaar humare dil me aur humare yadoon mein humesha basa rehta hai."

*~* Back to Present *~*

On that night ten years ago, they had taught Heer about the beauty of love, they were not going to destroy it now.

It didn't take them but twenty minutes to get to Preet Mehta's office. When the reached their destination, there was only one security guard who let them know that Mr. Mehta was in the 5^th floor conference room waiting for the. When the walked into the conference room a few minutes later Preet greeted them and asked them to take their seats.

"Toh boliyeh Mr. Maan, kaunsi baath karni thi aapko?" Preet asked.

"Woh…aapki shaadi ki baath," Rishab responded.

"Heer ke saath? Aap fikar maat kijiyeh aaj main saare kagazath lekar aaya hoon. Baas aap ke Bauji ka signature miljaye phir main sign kardunga. Baas, baath khatam," Preet said as he handed them a black file.

"Actually, hum aapse yeh kehne aaye ke yeh shaadi nahin hosakti," Rishab said.

Preet stayed quiet for a minute or so. The fact that he was shocked was clearly written on his face. "Kya matlab?" he asked.

"Matlab ke hum aapko aapni behen nahin denge." This time it was Nihaal who spoke.

"Aap loog aaisa nahin karsakte. Mujhe usse shaadi karni hi hogi. I must have my fathers business if it's the last thing I do!" Preet yelled.

"Humari behen koi bargining chip nahin hai jisse hum aapko deh dehnge. Woh humari behen hai, choti behen, aur uske saath aaisi nainsaffi hum nahin hone denge," Harman added.

"Lekin uss din toh baath final hogaya tha. Aab aap log piche nahin haat sakte," Preet said. There was a new edge in his voice.

"Woh faisla Bauji ka tha, humara nahin," Rishab said.

"Aaj bhi woh faisla mera hai," someone called.

Turning around the brother saw their father standing there with a look of rage in his eyes.

"Bauji aap aaisa nahin……" Harman began to speak but was silenced by Balraj.

"Business mera hai. Beti meri hai. Faisla bhi, mera hai," he said. Turning to Preet he added, "Aab mujhe aapki iss company mein 60% ka shares chahiyeh."

"Main aapko 100% dene ke liyeh tayar hoon. Mujhe toh baas aapki beti chahiyeh," Preet said.

"Kya?" the brothers all asked shocked.

"Aap papers check kijiyeh. Maine aapko 100% diya hai," he clarified.

"Kyun?" Rishab asked.

"Kyun ke paisa hi aap logoon ke liyeh saab kuch hai. Kyun ke mujhe yeh status aur paisa saab aap logoon ke muh pe marna tha. Kyun ke iss mauke ke liyeh maine saloon intezaar kiya hai." There was something about his voice that was menacing.

"Aap kahaan jaa rahe hai?" Nihaal asked as Preet headed out of the office.

Preet turned to face the Maan men. There was a conniving smile playing on his lips and an odd glint in his eyes when he said, "Aapni dulhan lehne."

With that Preet left the conference room and raced downstairs in his private elevator. Behind him he could hear the three brothers scramble to their feet as they called – more like cursed – after him. He could also hear the voice of Balraj trying to get control over his sons.

Once Preet was out of the office building, he instructed his security guard to delay the Maan's departure by at least 10 minutes. That way, he could have a head start.

------------------------------

At the Maan residence the ladies were chatting up a storm with Veera. They were all pampering her like she was home after years away – it wasn't only Teji. They talked about every and anything which included wedding nights, much to Veera's embarrassment. However, Teji had broken up the conversation at a critical moment.

"Aab sara din yahin pe baite rahoge ya phir pooja ki tayari karni hai?" she asked.

"Maa baas doh minute," Kulraj pleaded.

"Nahin, main ek nahin sunungi. Jaldi se tayari karlo, phir batein karna. Vaise bhi, mard log aate hi honge. Unke aane ke baad hi toh hum pooja karenge naa?" Teji asked.

"Maa saach keh rahi hai. Chaliyeh meri bhabiyaan," Heer said.

"Heer tu bhi?" Meher wined.

"Aagar hum saab milke karenge toh fata fat kaam hojayega. Phir saab milke baatein karenge," Heer reasoned.

"Tik hai chal, main bachoon ko tayar kardeti hoon," Maya called.

"Main kitchen sambhalkar aati hoon." It was Kulraj who offered. She was about to get up but Teji put a hand on her shoulder making her sit again.

"Nahin Kulraj, tum baite raho. Aaram karo," she ordered.

"Kyun Maa?" Kulraj asked.

"Kyun ke main dekh rahi hoon ke tere pair kitne suj gaye hai. Vaise bhi iss halat mein zyada kaam nahin karni chahiyeh. Tu bait, hum saab sambhal lenge."

"Haan Bhabi," Veera said, "Aaj toh main bhi kaam karne ke liyeh tayar hoon."

"Aare wah," Kulraj said. "Ek din bhi nahin hue sasural mein aur humari Veera mein itna badlawv aagayi hai."

Everyone laughed at Kulraj's comment before going their separate ways. Maya went up to get all the children ready. Meher and Teji went to the kitchen to straighten up, while Veera and Heer went to their mandir room to get everything else ready.

Half way there, Heer remembered something.

"Aare Chutki, main tere liyeh kuch layi thi. Shaadi mein dena bhulgayi. Tu jaa main abhi aati hoon." With that Heer disappeared upstairs.

Everyone was so busy that no one heard a car pull up to the house. No one heard someone come in. However, someone felt a change happen to the air. Preet Mehta was in the house.

------------------------------

He walked in and found a surprisingly quiet house. Odd, he thought, there should be at least half a dozen people running around at this moment. As he was about to enter the main family room from the hall he felt something crash into him. Looking down, he saw a pair of innocent brown eyes looking up at him.

"Aap kaun hai?" he asked the little girl dressed in pink.

"Main Preeti hoon. Lekin shhh," she said with a finger over her lips. "Mamma ko maat batana ke main yahaan hoon. Main Mamma se chup rahi hoon."

"Kyun?" he asked.

"Kyun ke Mamma mujhe tayar karna chati hai aur mujhe yeh dress change nahin karni. Yeh dress meri Massi ne mujhe di hai. Yeh mera saabse favorite dress hai," Preeti said.

He couldn't help but chuckle. "Tik hai, main nahin bataunga."

"Aap kaun ho?" Preeti asked.

"Main? Main toh Preet hoon," he answered.

"Haila, aapka aur mera naam to same hai," Preeti said. "Mera naam ka matlba hai 'love'."

"Aacha. Aur love matlab?" Preet asked.

"Hmmm…." Preeti failed to come up with an answer, so Preet helped.

"Love matlab…Prem. Toh Preet aur Prem ek hi hua naa?" he asked with a wink.

At that moment Maya came into the hall calling for Preeti when her eyes fell on the stranger in front of her. Maya's eyes were shocked to see the stranger talking to her daughter, but for some reason, she didn't fear him. The man was dressed well in a black business suit, hair combed back, a goatee and a scar on his right cheek. "Aap kaun hai?" Without giving the man a chance to answer she added, "Aapko pehle kahin dekha hai?"

The stranger walked up to Maya with a smile on his face. Without another word he embraced her.

"Aap kya kaar rahe hai?" Maya said as she pulled away.

"Main…main toh ashirwad leh raha hoon," he said.

"Ashirwad?" Maya asked confused.

"Haan. Kissi ne mujhse kaha hai ke ashirwad sirf pair chuke nahin lejata. Ashirwad toh galle lag kar bhi lejata hai."

Maya was almost speechless as she recognized the words the man was speaking. Pulling her daughter close she asked "Aap hai kaun?"

The stranger leaned in and whispered, "Kya Bhabi aapse yeh umid nahin thi. Aapne Chuha ko nahin pechana aap ne?"

With that being said he walked away and into the house. From the corner of his eye he saw movement off to the right. When he turned he saw Veera doing something in the mandir. It was then that he noticed the saree, the mangalsutra and the sindoor adorning her. He couldn't help but smile.

Walking up behind her so that she wouldn't see him he whispered, "Chulbuli zaara pooja ki thali laa naa."

Veera turned for a split second and smiled before she said, "Ji abhi……." Her sentence died in her mouth. It took her a minute to register what she had just been called. Slowly she turned back around and gazed at the figure in front of her in disbelief. "Didi!" Veera yelled. "Didi jaldi aayiyeh! Didi!"

"Aa rahi hoon baba, chilla kyun rahi hai," Heer called from upstairs.

"Pooja ki thali?" he asked again.

When Veera reached for the thali she ended up knocking over a vace that was hidden by on of the pillars – something one of the children had done for sure. The crashing and shattering of the vase was heard by Heer.

"Veera!" she called from upstairs. "Veera kya hua?"

"Didi jaldi!" Veera yelled again.

Heer came running and was already half way down the stairs when she looked up. She stopped dead in her tracks as she looked at the person that stood directly ahead of her. It felt like an eternity went by before she found the energy to move again. One by one, slowly, she took the last steps of the stairs. The gap between her and the man before her was closing. When she finally stood in front of the man, she looked deep into his eyes and she knew.

She didn't notice him take the vermillion from the pooja ki thali that Veera held. She did however feel when he touched her. She did feel when he filled her parting with the sacred red color.

She first, hesitantly, touched his him to make sure he was real. Then, gently with her left hand she traced the path of the scar that traveled from his cheek back up to his ear.

"Prem," she said with a whisper. It wasn't a question – it was a statement. "Prem," she repeated as tears sprang into her eyes. "Prem," she said one last time before everything went black.

OMG JAz