MiniFF: 8/11'Anjaan Rishta' LAST PART Pg 53 - Page 27

PART 7

Towards the end of lunch Prem jokes grew so much hilarious that Heer wasn't able to control her laughter. In attempt of doing so, her eyes filled with tears. She wiped them off smiling.

Prem was happy at the transformation of her tears from that of sadness to the ones of happiness.

Heer was feeling much better now. After the lunch Prem asked her if they could go for ice-cream and Heer happily agreed to the idea as she herself loved ice-creams.

They returned home after having ice-cream. The day went very well for both of them. Heer was feeling a bit tired so she went to her room.

Prem went to the study to complete some pending work. Once Prem began working, he got so absorbed that he lost his sense of time. He did not have any idea that he had been working for almost 5 consecutive hours.

And he would have continued working if Heer wouldn't have arrived.

"Good evening…", Heer said as she entered the study after knocking on the door.

"arey Heer aap… Good evening…", he said throwing a bright smile towards her.

"main aap ke liye coffee layi thi… I thought aap kafi dair se kaam kar rahe the… tou you will better…", she said handing him a coffee mug.

"that's really sweet of you… but aap ne takleef kyon ki… main khud hi le leta…", he said taking the mug from her.

"takleef kaisi??? Aur aap aisa kahein ge tou phir main bhi aap ko who sab yaad dilaongi jo aap ne mere liye kia hai… aur shayad who sab karne mein aap ko bhi bohat takleef uthani pari hai…", she said.

"Ok… Ok… I am sorry… ainda aisa kuch nahin kahoon ga… fine???", he said holding his ears.

"better… acha aap coffee pi lijiye main chalti hoon…", she said making her way towards the door.

"mat jayiye naa Heer…", he said without thinking and eventually realized what he just said and thought how the words slipped out of his tongue.

"Ji??? Kya matlab???", Heer turned around and asked with a confused expression on her face.

"woh main… I mean… main kehna chah raha tha ke… main bhi chalta hoon… hum dono bahar garden mein beth ker coffee peete hain… acha lage ga…", he said and was relieved that he came up with a fine excuse otherwise what would have Heer thought of him.

"oh acha… aap chaliye… main kitchen se apni coffee le kar aati hoon…", she said with a smile.

Prem went to the garden and Heer went to kitchen to get her coffee. Prem laid the chairs in the garden and waited for her to come. After 2 or 3 minutes she appeared at the door.

Prem stood up and pulled the lawn chair for her. She smiled and sat down.

"you really are a gentleman, Prem… you know well how to behave with a girl…", she said.

"oh… thanks a lot…", he said while thinking that what girls used to say about him back in USA.

They said that Prem Juneja, though being the most elegible bachelor around is an arrogant young man, he doesn't even know how to behave nicely and gently when girls are around. He always stayed away from girls and maintained an attitude in front of them.

And now he was wondering what is making him behave so nicely with a girl. Is that he had changed or the girl concerned is different from others.

"kya hoa??? Aap kahan kho gaye… coffee lejiye naa… achi nahin bani kya???", she said with a worried expression.

"arey nahin coffee bohat achi hai… main tou bas yunhi kuch soch raha tha…", he said sipping his coffee.

"pata hai…mere bauji ko mere hath ki bani coffee bohat pasand thi… woh tou kissi aur ki coffe peete hi nahin the… ab na jane kon banata ho ga unke liye…", she said in a low tone with her eyes all filled with tears.

"arey Heer aap… roiye nahin please…", he said putting his empty mug on table and kneeling down infront of her.

"pata nahin un logon ko meri yaad aati bhi hogi… ya unhoon ne shukar kiya hoga ke mujhse unki jaan chuti…", she said and few tears rolled down her cheeks.

Her tears fell on his heart and he became very uneasy seeing her being sad and gloomy again. He picked her tear on his finger and showed it to her.

"my mom says that tears are like pearls… and pearls are very precious… one should not waste them like that…", he said closing her tear in his fist and taking his hand towards his heart.

"aanso ko yun baha kar waste nahin karna chahiye… woh bohat qeemti hote hain… unhe to yahan dil ke pas rakhna chahiye…", he said pointing towards her heart.

"jab dil mein hadh se zyada dard bhar jaye tou… aanso ki jaga nahin rehti dil mein… aur woh ankhon se chalak hi jaate hain…", she said closing her eyes.

"jab dil mein vohat dard bhar jaye naa… tab dard bant lena chaiye kissi ke sath… iss tarah dil mein phir se jaga ban jati hai… aur ankhon se anso nahin behte…", he said taking her hands in his.

"apna dard kissi aur ko bata kar… kissi ko takleef dene ka kya faida??? Har insaan ko apna dukh khud hi bardasht karna parta hai…", she said pulling her hands out of his grip and then she left without saying anything more.

Prem went after her but she went to her room closing the door. He realized that she needs some time with herself.

That night Heer didn't even come out for dinner. Prem called her several times but in vain. Prem also didn't have anything and went to bed.

Heer was standing near the window and was looking at the moon. She was thinking:

"meri zindagi mein jo bhi hoa bhagwan naa karey kabhi bhi kissi larki ke sath ho… us hadse ke baad main ne tou jaise jeena chor hi dia tha… zindagi se nafrat si ho gayi thi… per ab achanak aisa lagne laga hai ke zindahi dobara se khobsurat ho gayi hai… mera muskurane ko dil chahta hai aur ek baar phir se khul ke jeene ko mann karta hai…

Aisa kyon ho raha hai? Kya kissi ke meri zindagi mein aa jane ki waja se main phir se zindagi ki taraf lotne lagi hoon? Haan shayad yehi waja hai… mere dil mein ek naya ehsaas janam le raha hai… aur pata nahin kyon mujhe lagta hai yeh sab Prem ki waja se ho raha hai… kya mujhe un se pyaar???

Nahin nahin… main Prem ke barey mein aisa soch bhi kaise sakti hoon? Woh bohat ache insaan hain aur woh mujhse bohat better larki deserve karte hain… per main apne aap ko unki taraf attract hone se rok hi nahin pa rahi…

bohat kohshish karti hoon ke jab bhi woh mere qareeb ayen main apne dukh ko yaad karke un se duur ho jaon… per phir bhi mere dil o dimagh se Prem nikal hi nahin pate…

nahin mujhe khud ko rokna hoga… main Prem ke qabil nahin hoon… main Prem se pyaar tou duur… unke barey mein soch bhi nahin sakti… woh mujh per ehsaaan ker rahe hain… aur main? Main aisa nahin karon gi un ke ehsaan ka badla aise nahin chukaon gi… mujhe Prem se pyaar nahin ho sakta… nahin karna chahiye…

aur jitni jaldi ho sakey mujhe unki zindagi se duur chale jana chahiye warna main un ke liye bohat si problems create kar doon gi… "

She tried to push such thoughts out of her mind and went to bed.

On the other hand Prem was also awake. He was also thinking about Heer and his attraction towards her. He took out his personal diary and started writing:

"main Prem Juneja hoon… aur main ne aaj tak kissi larki ke liye itna kuch nahin kiya… itna sab karna tou duur ki baat hai… main ne aaj tak kissi larki ke bare main socha tak nahin hai…

Tou phir main Heer ke liye yeh sab kyon kar raha hoon? Kyon mujhe unki har ek baat se farak parta hai? Kyon main unki ankhon mein aanso nahin dekh sakta? Kyon unke dard se mujhe bhi takleef hoti haia? Jab bhi woh roti hain… pareshan hoti hain… kyon mera mann karta hain ke unke sarey aanso main le loon aur apni sari khushiyan unko de doon? Kyon… akhir kyon?

Kahin Prithvi theek tou nahin keh raha tha… am I falling in love with her? Haan shayd mujhe Heer se pyaar ho gaya hai… I cant believe it… MAIN… PREM JUNEJA… kissi se pyaar karne laga hoon… that's really weird…

But I am liking this feeling… sab kuch alag sa lagne laga hai… ek dum naya naya sa… per kya mera yeh pyaar sahi hai? I mean Heer; kabhi meri iss feeling ko accept karein gi? Pata nahin woh mere barey mein kya sochein gi? Nahin mujhe abhi unko kuch waqt dena chahiye takey woh apne ghumon se bahar aa sakein… tabhi main unhien bataon ga ke I love her… I love her very very much…"

Prem then closed his diary put it in his locker and went to bed with a wide smile on his face.

Days went by, Heer had taken much responsibility of home in her hands; she used to cook often, supervised the servants in cleaning and other chores and did several small jobs of the house.

Prem had told her many times to just rest but she said that doing all this makes her feel better. And now Heer remained quite happy most of the time, although she often went through sudden attacks of anger and depression, but Prem realized that they were mood swings associated with her pregnancy.

He sometimes took her out for dinner and lunch and they had become very good friends. They used to chat on random topics but none of ever dared to express his/her feelings to other.

It had been almost a month sice Heer was living in Prem's house. She was preparing lunch as Prem used to come home for lunch.

Prem came and they had lunch. She gathered the dishes and was about to leave the dining table when Prem said that it's one his collegues wedding anniversary and he is throwing a party in the evening. He asked her whether she could accompany him.

She refused at once as she had never been fond of attending parties but after much persuations by Prem she finally agreed.

"thanx God… aap mani tou sahi… acha ab aap jaldi se tayyar ho jain… humein nikalna hai…", Prem said getting up from the dining chair.

"per party tou sham mein hai naa… tou main abhi se tayyar ho kar kya karon gi?", she asked in confusion.

"haan party tou sham mein hai… per abhi hum shopping ke liye ja rahe hain…", he replied.

"shopping… per kyon?", she asked.

"arey apne collegue ke liye gift khareedna hai mujhe… aur aap mujhe help karein gi best gift purchase karnae mein…", he said and went to his room.

Heer called the servant and asked him to clear the table and went to her room to get ready.

They left for the mall after about half an hour. Heer helped Prem for chosing a suitable gift for his collegue and his wife. After purchasing the gifts, Prem asked Heer to wait for him in the car.

Heer waited for him in the car. He came after fifteen minutes, put some packets in the boot of the car and then they drove back home.

They both went to their rooms for getting ready for the party. Heer was standing in front of her wardrobe after taking bath when she heard a knock on the door.

It was Prem. She asked him to come in. He was hiding something behind him but Heer was so preoccupied with the problem of dress selection that she didn't notice.

"dekhiye naa Prem… I don't know what to wear… aap hi kuch suggest karein…", she said taking some dresses out of the wardrobe and laying them on the bed.

"bataiye inn main sa kon sa pehno?", she asked.

"inn mein se koi bhi naa pehnein aap…", Prem replied.

"acha… per yehi best hain… yeh naa pehno tou kya pehnon?", she asked worriedly.

"aap yeh pehen lein…", he said handing her a packet which he was hiding behind him.

"yeh kya hai? Aap ne kab liya yeh?", she said taking the packet.

"aaj hi liya mall se… jab aap ko car mein rukne ko kaha tha tab… I hope aap ko acha lage ga…", he said.

"yeh tou sari hai… bohat sunder hai…", she said taking a bueatiful pink sari with silver embroidery out of the packet.

"I am glad you liked it… ab aap tayyar ho jayein…", he said and left the room.

Heer started getting ready. And Prem also got ready. After about half an hour he again knocked on her room's door.

"aa jayein Prem…", she said.

"aap tayyar ho gayien?", he asked entering the room but then was startled to see her beautiful image in the mirror. She was sitting infront of the dressing table with her back towards th door.

Ek Ajnabi Sa Ehsaas Dil Ko Sataye
Shayad Yahi To Pyaar Hai

For a few seconds Prem stood in the doorway speechless, just staring her image. Heer was very busy in trying to tie the strings of her blouse but wasn't being successful.

Prem noticed that and he came few steps near her.

"main bas almost ready hoon… except for these strings… bandh hi nahin rahe…", she said fully irritated.

Prem came near her and softly took her hands and placed them in her lap. Then he took the strings and started tieing them.

Her was frozen when his hands rubbed against her back. She felt a bit uneasy but then she got lost somewhere.

Betabiyon Mein Dhadkan Meri Chain Paye
Shayad Yahi To Pyaar Hai

Prem was done with the strings but his hands were still placed on her shoulder and he was looking in her eyes in the mirror. Heer also sat there still, lost in his eyes.

Kuch Bhi Kaha Na
Kuch Bhi Suna Na
Phir Bhi
Bechain Dil Hai Humara

After few minutes, both came out of there eyelock session and Prem quickely removed his hands from her shoulders.

Heer also lowered her gaze. Prem went out of the room instructing her to come out soon as he would be wating for her in the car.

Heer followed him and reached the porch. He opened the door of car for her, she sat. He also got in and started the car. The journey went by silently and they reached the party venue after 15 minutes.

Prem parked the car and got off and then opened the door for her. She came out. She started walking but tripped as her heels got stuck in her saree. She was about to fall but Prem instantly held her.

Behke Kadam Hai
Mushkil Main Hum Hai
Dekho
Sambhle Bhala Kaise Yaara

Prem's right hand was wrapped around her waist and from the left he held her left hand. She instantly clutched his shoulder from her free hand to support herself from falling.

For few minutes they stayed in same position staring eachother.

Chahe Bina Bhi
Nazdeek Hum Chale Aaye
Shayad Yahi Toh Pyaar Hai

Prem balanced her on the ground. They were standing very close to eachother. Heer's hand was still on his shoulder and Prem also didn't let go her hand and waist.

After few seconds they left eachother and started walking towards the garden where party was being held.

They were received by the hosts. Prem introduced her as his friend to everybody. They met the people and walked around the party but didn't talk to eachother as both were feeling awkward.

But they surely kept on stealing glances of eachother, making sure not be caught by eachother.

Nazrein Bichade
Pehre Laga De
Dil Pe
Par Dil Kisiki Na Maane

She was now sitting with few ladies and Prem was standing with a group of his few colegues at some distance from her.

Apparently both were busy talking with their respective groups but in reality both were noticing each and every move of eachother.

It happened many a times that both looked at eachother at the same time and quickly shifted their gaze in random directions.

Kaaton Pe Chalke
Sholon Mein Jalke
Roke
Milke Rahenge Deewane

Now the couples had started dancing. Prem and Heer were standing on the opposite corners of the dance floor prentending to enjoy the dancing but actually lost in eachother.

After few minutes one of Prem's collegues pulled him on the dance floor and a girl also dragged her on the floor. She placed her hands in Prem's hand and asked them to join the others.

Prem and Heer started dancing but avoided to look at eachother. They were seeing everywhere except eachother.

O O O
Chahat Ki Lau To
Aandhi Mein Bhi Jhilmilaye
Shayad Yahi To Pyaar Hai
Ek Ajnabi Sa Ehsaas Dil Ko Sataye
Shayad Yahi To Pyaar Hai

But they were not able to avoid eachother for much time. The eventually saw in eachother eyes.

Yeh Mulaqatein
Yeh Teri Ankhein
Ek Pal Na Main Bhool Pau

Prem couldn't stop himself from admiring her beautiful eyes which potrayed innocence and purity. Prem was sure that he can give whole of his life just for her eyes only.

Kitni Mohabbat
Hai Kitni Chahat
Tumse
Kaise Bhala Main Bataon

Heer was asking herself whether she ever be able to tell him that how she feels about him, what position he actually holds in her life.

Her heart always urged her to confess her feelings to him but the brain always intrupted and said she shouldn't do this as she don't deserve a man Like Prem Juneja.

Although both were lost in their own thoughts, but were perfectly matching eachother's steps. They were the best dancing couple on the floor and they came to know about it when they heard a round of applause from all other people in floor.

Acha Lage Jo
Toh Samne Muskuraye
Shayad Yahi To Pyaar Hai
Ek Ajnabi Sa Ehsaas Dil Ko Sataye
Shayad Yahi To Pyaar Hai

They eventually came out of their trance and left eachother. When someone told Heer that they were perfect on floor a smile came to her lips and this was the brightest smile of Prem had ever seen on her lips.

Heer noticed Prem looking at her, she just lowered her eys and blushed.

Kuch Bhi Kaha Na
Kuch Bhi Suna Na
Phir Bhi
Bechain Dil Hai Humara
Behke Kadam Hai
Mushkil Main Hum Hai
Dekho
Sambhle Bhala Kaise Yaara

The rest of the evening went in the same way as the most of it had gone, Prem and Heer thinking about eachother and stealing glances of eachother.

Then they both left for home in some late hour of night. This was the most beautiful evening of the lives of both of them.

Chahe Bina Bhi
Nazdeek Hum Chale Aaye

They have discovered eachother more without even saying a word. They both changed and went to bed, each having different thoughts in mind.

Shayad Yahi Toh Pyaar Hai

Shayad Yahi Toh Pyaar Hai

Prem was thinking that it is now the correct time to tell Heer that how he feels about her. Heer had almost came out of the effects of whatever happened to her and may be now she will understand him and his feelings.

Shayad Yahi Toh Pyaar Hai

Shayad Yahi Toh Pyaar Hai

Shayad Yahi Toh Pyaar Hai

On the other hand, Heer was scolding herself for being so carried away by his thoughts. She was thinking that how to stop herself from going near Prem and how to control he feelings about him. Because her mind was telling her again and again that she should stay away from Prem and should not even think of falling in love with him.

But she knew that it's no point stopping herself from fallin in love because she was already in love.

The morning dawned and both of them woke up making different promises to their ownselves.

Prem promised that he would confess her love to Heer as soon as possible.

And Heer promised herself that she would try to stay away from Prem as much as she could.

Prem left for work deciding that after coming home that evening, he would take Heer out for dinner and will open his heart to her and ask her if she also likes him. But he didn't know that things are going to be changed for him, the moment he would reach his office.

In office he came to know something that totally devasted his plans of telling Heer everything. Prem had to postpone his plans. Now he needed to tell something else to Heer and he didn't know how to say that.

Two days went by; Prem still didn't know how to talk to Heer. Heer was noticing that Prem was a bit disturbed since last two days, she tried to talk to him several times butPrem didn't tell her the reason of his commotion.

Heer couldn't see him that way, so she decided that she would talk to him after dinner and would definitely make him share his problem with her.

After dinner Prem went to his room and Heer made coffee for him. Prem was sitting on the sofa, lost in his thoughts when he heard a knock on his door.

He saw Heer coming with coffee. He extended hi hand to take the mug. Heer handed him the mug and sat on the chair near him.

"aap kuch kehna chahti hain, Heer?", he asked.

"nahin Prem… kehna tou aap kuch chah rahe hain pichle do dino se… per keh nahn pa rahe… main bas wohi janana chahti hoon…", she said looking right into his eyes.

"aise koi baat nahin hai Heer… aap yunhi pareshaan ho rahi hain…", he said and avoided to look into her eyes.

"meri maa kehti hain… nazrein wohi churata hai jo kuch chupa raha hota hai…", she was still looking at him.

"kuch baat tou hai Heer… but please don't force me to say that… coz I don't have suitable words right now…", he said.

"matlab?", Heer asked in confusion.

"matlab rehne di jiye Heer… aap please jayein aur aaram karein… I am ok!!!", hee assured.

Heer opened her mouth to say something but then preffered staying quiet. She stood up and started going out of the room.

Prem instantly thought that he don't have much time to waste, he should now tell her everything. He was still unsure how to say but said anyways.

"Heer… KYA AAP MUJH SE SHADI KAREIN GI???", he finaaly uttered and then slapped his head because he realized that what he needed to say should not have been started like that.