*Shields herself* 😆 I know! I am soooo sorry, I know it has taken ages!! And I know I still have 2 other FF's waiting to be updated- I will really try to get those updated too! It's just that university has started, so I've been busy with assignments. Here is the next chapter, I didn't put much effort into it, so sorry if it's not that good! 😆
Chapter Three
Prem entered his mother's home, stepping into it for the first time in four months. Living in his own lavish apartment, he rarely came to his childhood home. Although, it was not because of the desire to live in luxury, but because this was the house in which he witnessed his mother spoken of harshly, constantly berated by his father at every turn. It was the house where he witnessed his family break apart, the house where his father had abandoned his mother to start another family. The memories connected to this house smothered Prem and moving out was his only option when he turned eighteen, the time when he felt old enough to make his own decisions. He had known leaving his mother was not exactly the right thing to do, but she herself had chosen to stay in this house, stressing that she had no reason to leave the place that she rightfully called her home. They would meet, but it would always be in his apartment or nearby restaurants and cafes, never did he feel the need to set foot in this house again- until now.
Gayatri Juneja sat on the sofa, skimming through the pages of her newspaper, muttering quietly as she amused herself with the headline news. Occupied in her reading, neither did she notice nor hear Prem enter the room and settle his head on her lap. She gasped as she saw her son crouched down on the floor, silently placing his head upon her lap, just like he did as a child. Gayatri automatically felt the presence of tears within her eyes. She placed her newspaper aside and gently stroked his hair.
'Prem...you here...? What's happened?' she asked. When he did not answer, she held his face in her hands and made him look up at her, taken aback by the sight of his red, moist eyes. 'Why have you been crying?' she asked, her face beginning to line with worry as she amply dried his face with the pallu of her sari. Prem remained motionless all the while. 'Prem...please tell me what has happened, you are worrying me.'
'I've made a mistake Maa,' Prem spoke finally. He kept his eyes lowered, unable to look at his mother out of the feeling of shame that flowed through every fibre of his being. Gayatri frowned in utter confusion, failing in trying to comprehend what was going on.
'Will you just tell me what has happened?' she asked.
'I've made a mistake,' he repeated, 'I...I got someone...pregnant...,' he confessed. There was no easy way to say it, but there it was, finally out in the open. He sensed Gayatri's body stiffen, and watched as she removed her hands from his face. 'Maa...' he whispered as she stood up and stepped away and he knew that he had broken her heart. Her face flashed with disappointment, as she felt frustrated that her son could be so reckless in his actions.
'How could you be so irresponsible Prem? Didn't I teach you better than this?' she asked, looking away in an attempt to hide her pain. Prem stood up and stepped closer to his mother, hating himself for being the cause of her tears.
'I know Maa,' he said quietly, 'I made a stupid decision, I didn't think at all. And now, I've ruined her life as well.' Gayatri folded her arms and turned away from him again. Prem eyed her warily as she moved to take a seat again, waiting to see if she had anything else to say. He sat down next to her, taking her hands in his, his eyes still downcast. 'Please talk to me Maa. Tell me off, hit me...but please don't sit silently like this,' he pleaded.
'I'm your mother Prem, I can't ever stop loving you. But how could you act so carelessly? What were you thinking Prem?' she asked, and Prem sighed. He didn't think at all, he had just acted on his impulses, overcome with desire for that one woman that had held him captive that night. 'If only your father was here, maybe things would have turned out differently,' Gayatri mused and Prem pulled away, staring at his clenched his fists, his jaw tensing. As if his father's presence would solve everything, he scoffed.
'I rather not talk about him, please,' he said and Gayatri nodded meekly. They talked for a while, opening up after what felt like a lifetime. She did not take it as well as he thought she would, but he knew it could have been much worse.
'Haven't I always taught you to do the right thing and fulfil your responsibilities? I will always support you Prem, whatever happens. I know you better than anyone, but right now, I don't think you need me to tell you what you should to do...,' she replied. Prem nodded, for she was right. He did not need anyone to tell him- he knew what he had to do.
~
Heer sat on the cold, hard floor of her bathroom, hunched over the toilet, trembling as she waited to be seized by the bout of nausea that she knew was to jolt through her body any minute. Uninvitingly, sickness surged through her and she leaned over the toilet to spill her guts out. She leaned her head against the toilet seat, her stomach still churning and her body unable to muster the energy to get up. When she finally regained some strength she heaved herself up and took herself to the kitchen to nibble on some crackers, not wishing to have an empty stomach, for the baby's sake.
She groaned as she heard the doorbell ring, clutching to the side of the kitchen counter for support. Neither was Heer in the mood to meet anyone nor did she look a very pretty sight at the moment. The bell impatiently rang once more and she dragged herself to the front door, opening the door to see the one person she certainly did not expect to be standing across the threshold.
'Hi,' said Prem awkwardly, his eyes trained fully on Heer. She felt heat rise in her cheeks, suddenly conscious of her state as she watched his eyes take in her dishevelled appearance. She did not know if she should laugh or cry at her helpless state. After what felt like years of silence, Prem finally spoke.
'Can I come in?' he asked and Heer nodded, stepping aside to let him inside. He stepped forwards and the intoxicating whiff of his cologne had her eyes closing as he glided past her to enter the apartment. Prem watched her through the corner of his eye, frequently making contact with her gaze as he closed the door behind him. Heer walked into the living room, mindful of his proximity as he followed her. He sat down on the sofa when she gestured for him to take a seat, his eyes scanning her home in hope that it would reveal more about this mystery woman.
'Did you want anything to drink? A tea or coffee?' she asked suddenly, not knowing what else to say.
'Sure...a cup of tea would be great,' replied Prem and Heer gave a short nod, ambling to the kitchen. She took it as a chance to make herself look more respectable, fixing her shirt and neatening her hair. She heated the water in the kettle, closing her eyes as the reality of the situation dawned on her. What did Prem want? Her head wanted him to leave and never show his face again. She had always been an independent woman, living only for herself and never taking support from others. But a slight hope that he may wish to be a part of the baby's life stirred in her heart. She did not know whether she would be able to do this alone, she certainly did not feel strong enough, especially now that pregnancy hormones were beginning to invade her body.
Heer walked back into the living room with the tea and held it out for Prem. He noticed her hands quivering and quickly reached forward to set the hot mug on the table before it dropped from her hands. His fingers had lingered over hers for a moment, before the scorching heat of the tea had him landing back to planet earth.
'Sorry,' she mumbled, silently settling down on the other side of the sofa, keeping a suitable distance.
'No, I'm sorry,' said Prem, turning his head sideways to look at her, shifting slightly closer. 'I know I didn't take the situation too well yesterday...I was just in shock...but...'
'You don't need to explain. I know it was not exactly the best news to receive...and that so suddenly. If you came here to apologize, then there's no need to,' she interrupted and Prem shook his head.
'I didn't just come here to apologize. I'm not just going to let you deal with this all by yourself and just walk away- I fully well know what my responsibilities are,' he said. Heer frowned, suspecting where this conversation was leading to.
'I don't want to keep you bound to me Prem, I don't need your pity. You have your own life and I don't want to be the one creating all these problems for you,' said Heer and Prem raised his eyebrows.
'It's not about pity Heer. It's about what I want to do- and this is what I want, honestly. You can't just come to me one day and tell me you're pregnant and expect me to not care and just continue with my life as if nothing has happened. I want to be a part of the baby's life, I want the baby to know that he or she does have a father,' he argued. Heer felt a pang of guilt pierce through her and looked down at her feet in shame. She was only thinking about herself, she had no idea how he must be feeling, despite knowing that he was in the same boat as she was in. Stupid hormones, she thought to herself.
'I...I'm sorry,' she apologized. Prem stood up to leave and made his way to the front door. Heer leapt up from her seat and followed him, catching up with him in the hallway.
'Wait!' she called and Prem stopped in his tracks. 'I am going for a check-up tomorrow...I don't mind if you want...if you want to come with me,' she hesitated, afraid of his answer. A small smile tugged at the corner of Prem's lips and he nodded.
'I would really like that,' he answered and added 'Thank you,' before exiting her abode, closing the door with a slight click behind him. Heer sighed, and went back inside to the living room, reaching for the untouched mug of tea. Confusion on whether she should be happy or sad soared through her mind.
Love Zahra x
Hindi TV Shows
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
