|| Bas Ek Pal || PreMe Shot

Her voice cracked the minute she opened the door. "Nothing's changed Prem. Just go."

"But—" She slowly let the door go and it slammed before he could finish his sentence.

He just wanted one more chance to tell her how much she meant to him.

Bas Ek Pal

Overnight she had taken a decision; a decision that involved both of them. She wanted to break off their relationship for reasons he failed to understand.

He could still remember the night she had come over to his apartment as if it was yesterday not two weeks ago.

"Prem, mujhe tumse kuch kehna hain," She started.

"Just give me a minute. The onions are going to burn." Prem nodded before turning his attention back to the stove.

From the corner of his eye he could see a smile on her face. It made her look like she was glowing. She was watching him cook and he knew she was happy. She loved watching him in the kitchen with his goofy hat and even goofier apron.

He took the onions off the stove and turned to face her at the bar. "Okay, shoot," He took off the hat and went around the corner, taking her hand in his.

Tu Ek Baar Jo Pyaar Se Mujhko Chule

Tho Har Zakhm Bhar Jayegaa,

"I—don't know what to say,"

"Well say whatever you need to?" Prem smiled before looking at her curiously. "As far as I know you're NEVER this nervous over anything."

She smiled softly. "I know, but this—is much bigger than any decision I've ever had to make in life."

Prem affectionately put his hand on her cheek. "Tell me,"

"I," she took his hand away. "Can't go on like this."

"What? Like what?"

She shook her head. "Meri shaadi te hogayi hain,"

"What?" He dropped her hands and backed away.

Everything she said to him after was a blur. She explained how her parents had arranged everything with one of her childhood friends and how they wanted her to go back to their old city in two weeks and how she had tried explaining about Prem to them but he couldn't hear anything now.

He had gone numb from the news. She wasn't going to be his. Someone else was going to take her away. Someone else was going to give her the love he was entitled to.

Zara Ithzaa Sun Ke Deewane Dilki

Mujhe Aapne Dilse Lagaa...

Now as he stood outside her closed door he couldn't help but wonder; why wasn't she strong enough to fight for what mattered? Them. They mattered; he couldn't believe that she would be willing to let their relation go. The girl he had fallen in love with was much stronger than that and now it seemed as if she had evaporated and another girl had taken her place. Someone weaker.

Tere Pyaar Mein Aise Jeeye Hum,
Jala Hain Yeh Dil....Yeh Ankhein Hui Nam

As he walked towards his car in solitude, all their old memories flooded through his mind. All the impromptu dates, the pillow fights, the popcorn fights, even the slow moments of just laying content in each others' arms. All of that was going to end.

Bas Ek Pal.......

He touched the keyless entry to his car and the door opened. He hated this feeling. It was like he was trying hard to hold onto her but she was fading away from him. Bit by bit and there was nothing he could do to stop her.

Bas Ek Pal.......

He sighed, collapsing onto the leather seat and closed his eyes, leaning against the headrest.

"Prem?"

Her voice was haunting him endlessly now. He let his eyes flicker open and saw her sitting on the passenger side.

"Meera?"

She smiled and nodded. "Drive! I want to go for a long relaxing drive."

Prem frowned, unable to believe she was actually here with him after just moments ago she had slammed the door in his face.

She's not here. It's a vision his mind told him but he chose to ignore it. He wanted to live this moment with her.

Humare Khayaalon Mein Khwabon Mein Yaadon Mein Baaton Mein Rehte Ho Tum,

"Where do you want to go?" He turned and asked.

She smiled. "Our special place!" She rolled down the window and stuck her hand outside into the cold air.

"Meera, don't," He reached out to hold her arm but she was gone.

Badaake Mein Yeh Haath Chuna Jo Chaho

Tho Pal Bar Mein Hothe Ho Gum.

Gone as quick as she had come, leaving him alone in the chilly air of the night. He felt senseless sitting in this car with his hand suspended. Why did she rule over his mind this way? Why couldn't he try to get past the fact that she was going to be with someone else?

He had tried tonight to talk her out of her decision but she hadn't even bothered to listen to him. It hurt him to think that was what was left of the love they had shared.

Tere Pyaar Mein Aise Jeeye Hum,
Jala Hain Yeh Dil....Yeh Ankhein Hui Nam

Next Morning

She ripped the covers off herself the minute she heard her phone buzzing. Jumping over to where she plugged it in she answered it.

"Hello?"

"When's your train?" a husky male voice asked on the other end.

"Pr..Prem?"

"What time?" He asked again.

"How does it matter?" she sighed. "I don't want you there."

"I'll call every one of your friends till I find out." He threatened.

She sighed. She knew him well enough to know he would indeed do that. "Fine. The train's at 11,"

"I'll be there." He said before he hung up.

Meera threw her phone on the bed and sat down, holding her head in her hands. She hated this. She didn't want to be mean to Prem but he had given her no choice when he didn't accept her decision.

Bas Ek Pal

She closed the door of the taxi and ran quickly into the station when her cell phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hey—leaving already?" Rubina's voice greeted her on the other end.

"Hey...yeah the train's in 20 minutes." Meera told her.

"Is he there yet?" Rinki asked.

The 'he' of course was Prem. Rinki's older brother.

"No. But I'm not really looking for him." Meera told her coldly.

"You can be as icy with me as you want—but I know how both of you really feel." Rinki informed her.

"Okay I'm sorry," Meera sighed. "I can't help it. He just won't understand."

"It's because he loves you." Rinki told her.

"I know that—but," she shook her head before handing her ticket to the ticket checker. "Just forget it okay? When I see him, I'll talk to him and it'll be done for good."

"Or so you think," Rinki taunted her. "Anyways call me later."

"I will. Bye!" Meera flipped her phone shut and sighed, glancing around the crowded station.

Sunaa Hain Mohabbat Ki Takdeer Mein,

Likhein Hain Andherein Ghanee,
Tab Hi Aaj Shayad Sitare Sabi

Zara Sahi Roshan Hue...

She walked towards a bench when a hand reached out and pulled her towards the person. She banged into his chest and groaned pulling away.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" she dusted off her arms before looking into Prem's eyes. "I didn't know it was you." She said in a softer tone.

"You were going to fall," He nodded towards the man bent over, tying his shoelaces.

Meera glanced down and back up at Prem. "Thanks,"

"Don't mention it." He smiled as he fell into step with her. "Do you want to go to the waiting lounge?"

"There's a waiting lounge?" She turned to face him.

He nodded happily before taking her hand and leading her there.

Mere Haath Ki In Lakeeron Mein

Likhe Abhi Aur Kitne Sitam,

She looked down at her hand clasped protectively in his and sighed wishing this was how it could be.

"Here," he finally let go of her hand and pushed her towards the closed door.

Meera opened it slowly and was surprised to see the entire place empty. "Prem?"

"Ssh." He led her inside again and sat her down on a chair. "Let me talk please?" Meera sighed and he started talking. "I know you need to leave today and I'm not here to stop you. I just don't want you to make a decision that will impact the rest of your life without knowing that I'm here waiting for you. Waiting for us to start our life together. Today I want to make this dratted day better and so," He dug into his pocket and took out a small square box. "Will you marry me?" he flipped the cover and showed her the diamond ring inside.

Meera glanced down at the ring and back into Prem's yearning eyes. "I can't—" She got up and walked over to the large bay window.

Khafaa Ho Gayi Hain Khushi

Waqt Sey Ho Rahein Hain Meherbaan Ghum,

"You can't?" He couldn't believe what he had heard. He stood up and walked towards her. "Meera, I love you. I want our love to overcome this."

"How can you be so sure it will?" Meera frowned. "I'm leaving today no matter what..."

"I'll come with you."

Tere Pyaar Mein Aise Jeeye Hum,
Jala Hain Yeh Dil....Yeh Ankhein Hui Nam

"You'll come with me? To my parent's place? Where they want me to get married to someone else?" Meera started at him.

"I'll explain everything to them." Prem nodded. "Once they understand it'll all work out."

He leaned towards her and without thinking she threw her arms around him. The familiar way his arms snaked around her back and the way he dug his nose into her hair and how protected she felt all rushed back to her senses and for the first time in the two weeks she felt at peace.

Bas Ek Pal

"I promise you," Prem whispered softly. "I will do anything to make sure we stay together."

"I trust you," Her voice sounded hoarse and she realized it was due to the tears falling from her eyes. "I'm sorry—for everything."

"Ssh," He put a finger on her lips. "I don't want to hear that anymore okay?"

Meera nodded quietly before snuggling closer to him. She knew this was how it was all meant to be. Her and Prem together. If only she had been stronger when he needed her to be for them.

Bas Ek Pal