Posted:
Hi guys, I'm on vacation so will be updating frequently for next couple of days 😃 thanks again for the appreciation, please hit like and let me know what you want or think of the story...
This chapter is called Halfway House because that's a situation where both parties make concessions, to know how and why...read on 😃
Ciao!! 😛
~~***~~
Chapter 3- Halfway House
Teji and Balraaj sit down to talk to after the Junejas leave.
Teji- how are we ever going to convince her Balraaj?
Balraaj- she couldn't get a better guy! And she won't even have to quit her job…she can live in London for as long as she wants
Nihaal comes in at that moment- who can't get a better guy?
Teji and Balraaj look up at him and smile, Teji- your sister! Heer!
Nihaal is intrigued- what's up?
His parents tell him about the proposal and he's very excited as he knows Prem better than anyone else he knows Prem will be the perfect guy for his adorable sister and feels it's time she got married…that's what every proper girl did…Kulraj got married to Kiran when she was 20, straight out of college…he winced at that…but thought, Heer is 22, she's done with MBA…she needs to settle down…but then he thought about what Prem wanted and frowned
Nihaal- I'm very happy for my sister…but what about Prem?
Balraaj {worried}- what about him? Does he like another girl?
Nihaal- no, no…he just wants a girl who will fit in well with his family and for them he declined the London offer…now this…living in London and all…Heer is very loving and caring…she loves the Junejas as her own but her career's always comes in first you know
Balraaj- the Junejas are okay with Prem moving to London…they want him to go anyway…I don't know how to convince Heer though!!
Nihaal- in that case…we have to talk to her, there's no other way out…we've got to be straight and honest…let's ask her to come over
Teji- yes, but what if she says no?
Nihaal- if the Junejas are okay with the proposal then she's got to agree! It's not just about marriage, it's about setting a wrong right…silencing gossip mongers…and getting our relationship with the Junejas the respect it deserves!
His parents agree
AT JUNEJA HOUSE
Prem comes home from playing golf and sees his parents and grandparents are ecstatic! There's a bottle of champagne waiting to be opened and they're dancing and hugging each other for no reason.
Prem- hello everyone
The elders look up at him and smile
Surinder gets up to greet him- Prem puttar! We have good news for you! Come, sit here
Lalit- we have fixed your marriage
Prem is intrigued- really? Who is she?
Lalit- Balraaj and Teji's daughter Heer
Prem {confused}- Heer? Doesn't she live in London? Nihaal was telling me she has no intention of moving back here anytime soon
Lalit and Gayatri look at each other and Gayatri says- that is correct, she is not moving here, you are moving there!
Prem- WHAT? That is outrageous! I will not be a party to…
Lalit cuts in between- Prem…you decided to stay back for us…now you will have to go for us
Prem- what does that mean?
Saraswati- Prem puttar, you know what your bua did years ago…we've not been able to live in Ludhiana or go to Ambala with our heads high after that…by marrying Heer, you will not only fulfill the dream our dadaji and Baldev bhaisaab had seen but also give your family the respect it has lost
Surinder- besides, you will only be living in London for a few years, come back if you don't like it there…
Prem sighs- well then…if this gives you happiness, then so be it…I will marry her and move to London…good that the job offer there is still open
The elders are all very happy, Lalit opens the champagne…they drink to Prem & Heer's happiness
Prem- there's a catch…if I accept this job, I will have to join in two months time…that means you guys have to go ahead with the marriage quickly
Gayatri- oho, my son is eager to get married haan
Prem blushes- come on ma!
Lalit- that means, if you have 2 months before you join…the marriage should happen in about 6 weeks from now so we have 2 weeks for the rest of the rituals before you and Heer leave
Saraswati- 6 weeks?
Gayatri- that is too less Lalit! My eldest son is getting married, I need 3 months at least!
Surinder- it can't be helped bahu
Gayatri, dejectedly- ah well, I suppose then 6 weeks will have to do! Kulraj will help me…and Veera and Meher should come to use with the clothes and jewelry
Saraswati- Preet and his friends will take care of the music at the functions
Lalit grumbles- band bajay wala!
Surinder- Lali! Let him be!
Lalit- I've let him be for 22 years…see what he's become? Anyway…I will talk to Harman, his friend has a terrific hall we can book for the wedding
Surinder- but tell Balraaj!
Lalit- oh right! I will call him now
MAAN HOUSE
Balraaj is tensed after Lalit's phone call. He doesn't know how to get Heer to India in 6 weeks and convince her for the wedding. Nihaal tells him to ask her to come for a holiday next month, 2 weeks before the wedding and not to tell anything to her yet. Balraaj calls Heer
Balraaj- how are you Heer beta?
Heer- I'm doing good papji…been busy at work…boy! Am I glad we have weekends
Balraaj chuckles- you know puttar, you haven't been here for two years, we were wondering if you could take a month off and come here to see us
Heer thinks for a while- well…I have been thinking that a holiday is due…
Balraaj- exactly! We haven't seen you since you got done with your MBA…we need to see your degree! In person!
Heer laughs- I'll see what I can do papaji…I need to check my schedule with my secretary first
Balraaj- you do that beta and don't worry about the ticket, I can send it to you
Heer laughs- papaji…I assure you the ticket is no problem…I just need to see if I can take a holiday…I will let you know on Monday
Balraaj- okay beta, take care…love you
Heer- love you too papaji…bye
Balraaj- well, that was easy!
Teji- Preet talks to her everyday! He will tell her on Monday
Nihaal- no he won't…Preet calls her from work and he left for Mumbai last night…Prem was telling me that he'll be away for 3 weeks…it's some training from the call center
Balraaj- will he work there forever? I mean shouldn't he get an MBA instead of working that odd job and playing the guitar and drums?
Nihaal- he will papa, Prem said he's asked for a year…if he's unable to make it big as a musician he'll go to university
Balraaj- good! Teji…we have to start preparing…but how do we keep this a secret from Heer? Meher won't tell if we ask her to keep mum…but what about the other Junejas? Veera thinks of her as a sister…Harman is friendly with her, Lalit & Gayatri might want to talk to their future bahu
Teji- you think too much…they won't do anything of the sort…just ask Meher to keep quiet
A month goes by…the families especially Meher & Veera who get to experiment their designer skills before graduating are ecstatic…Preet is back from Mumbai and Nihaal corners him and asks him not to call Heer, Preet is surprised but Nihaal covers things up saying it has to do with old customs as Preet is from her sasural now…Preet doesn't believe in such things but decides to comply anyway as Heer's coming to India after a week…
And finally the day arrives…Heer's plane lands at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and the Maan's have reached to pick her up…there are hugs and kisses and emotional family scenes at the airport…Heer is ambitious but she loves her family very much and it shows in the way she greets them. Prem has gone off to Dubai for a week to finalise his transfer to London and will be back a week before the wedding…by that time the ladies have said that Premeer will not be able to meet as the bride and groom must not see each other right before the wedding. Each knows what the other looks like. Prem has seen countless photos that Gayatri pushed under his nose…he thinks she's pretty but sparks don't fly…beauty isn't what Prem's looking for in a wife…he wants her to put family first. Heer has seen Prem's photos in the family pictures Preet, Veera and Harman have on Facebook…she thinks he's handsome but stupid because he first down a terrific offer in New York and more recently refused an even better one in London. She doesn't identify with the guy.
Later at the Maan's residence-
Heer has settled down in PJs and flipflops…her flight came in late at night so the Junejas have decided to meet her the following day. Balraaj, Teji and Nihaal decide it is the best time to tell her…
Balraaj- Heer, we have to talk to you
Heer- of course papaji…I'm here after two whole years! Even I have lots to tell you!
Teji fears that there is a man in her life- what? You have a boyfriend?
Heer rolls her eyes- ma! Can you please stop asking that! I don't have time to go grocery shopping! My secretary Stella orders it over the internet for me and you're asking me if I have a boyfriend! When I said I have lots to tell I meant about my job, friends, London…you know!
Balraaj laughs- you know your mother Heer! Anyway, this time I am glad you don't have a boyfriend and if you remember…we said if you don't have one…we'll find you a husband
Heer is on the verge of panicking- yes, but we decided that would happen after I get my career goals
Nihaal- what if we found a guy who fits into your lifestyle? Is as educated and successful- if not more {he says pointedly} as you are {Heer raises an eyebrow, more successful than me? That'll be interesting…then I'm sure he is balding and has a paunch or looks nerdy- she thinks while Nihaal continues} as good looking as you are {woah! Heer thinks…successful and good looking? Wow, I thought that kind were extinct} then what Heer? Will you marry him?
Heer- who is he?
Nihaal- Lalit uncle's son Prem
Heer {thinks- Mr. Silly Billy, hum saath saath hain types? Errr, nooo!!}- sounds interesting…but I cannot get married now…I live in London…I am not moving back here now…
Nihaal- you don't have to move here…he will move there!
Heer- you mean he's one of those gold diggers who marry girls living abroad so they can get passports?
Nihaal- nooo Heer, he has a valid job offer there, will earn more than you…and he is in Dubai now getting his passport stamped so he doesn't need your help to get a visa
Heer- but I don't have time for a husband and inlaws now! {she's fighting a losing battle}
Balraaj- what inlaws? The two of you will live in London!
Heer- yes papaji but a husband will expect me to be home at 6, cook dinner, iron his clothes, sit and talk to him…I really can't do that! I leave for work at 8 a.m. and I never know when I'm coming back…sometimes I grab a burger or some fried chicken from a local takeout…in fact…I didn't have time to cook for the last 2 weeks cos I was busy covering up for my absence…you think a husband will like that? An Indian husband at that? I can't get married
Balraaj is depressed! Teji and Nihaal look at him and get angry. Teji- we're not asking you! We're telling you! We've done so much for you…can't you give us this happiness?
Balraaj- no Teji…we're not going to force her…forcefulness ruined a lot in my family years ago…
Nihaal- Heer, please say yes…this marriage will salvage the respect we've lost…
Heer- how? Kuljeet aunty was supposed to marry Balveer tauji…a bahu was coming to this family…she didn't and Balveer tauji killed himself…in return…you're sending me there? How does that make any sense?
Balraaj- it isn't about bringing a Juneja girl to this family…it's about two friends becoming relatives…your dadaji and Surinder chachaji had fought a lot of people in Ludhiana and Ambala to make that marriage happen…to this day…29 years later…those people taunt us for what we were unable to do…but it is your life…why should you uphold your family's honour? We will not force you…come Teji…Nihaal…we have to disappoint the Junejas…and not to mention that Prem, inspite of being a boy…agreed to this union without so much of a word and moved to London, leaving the family he loves so much…only because he wanted to help put that wrong right…
And that did it for Heer, she'd never seen her dad so depressed and broken…she knew what their friends and relatives in Punjab said about their friendship with the Junejas…she knew everything…and she did love her family…Heer Maan made a quick decision…she wouldn't have to quit her job…she won't have to give up her dreams…she won't leave London and her family will be happy…the guy wasn't bad looking…Preet & Nihaal bhaiyya always had good things to say about him…well…darn it! She'd say yes!
Heer- papaji…wait! {her parents and brothers turned around} if this is what makes you happy and if I don't even have to leave London…then my answer is yes…I will marry Prem…
Her family is ecstatic! Teji- great! There's so much to do! The wedding is in 2 weeks! Come with me…
Heer {shocked, she'd thought they would merely get engaged now}- two weeks? Did you say TWO WEEKS?
~~***~~
This chapter is called Halfway House because that's a situation where both parties make concessions, to know how and why...read on 😃
Ciao!! 😛
Teji and Balraaj sit down to talk to after the Junejas leave.
Teji- how are we ever going to convince her Balraaj?
Balraaj- she couldn't get a better guy! And she won't even have to quit her job…she can live in London for as long as she wants
Nihaal comes in at that moment- who can't get a better guy?
Teji and Balraaj look up at him and smile, Teji- your sister! Heer!
Nihaal is intrigued- what's up?
His parents tell him about the proposal and he's very excited as he knows Prem better than anyone else he knows Prem will be the perfect guy for his adorable sister and feels it's time she got married…that's what every proper girl did…Kulraj got married to Kiran when she was 20, straight out of college…he winced at that…but thought, Heer is 22, she's done with MBA…she needs to settle down…but then he thought about what Prem wanted and frowned
Nihaal- I'm very happy for my sister…but what about Prem?
Balraaj {worried}- what about him? Does he like another girl?
Nihaal- no, no…he just wants a girl who will fit in well with his family and for them he declined the London offer…now this…living in London and all…Heer is very loving and caring…she loves the Junejas as her own but her career's always comes in first you know
Balraaj- the Junejas are okay with Prem moving to London…they want him to go anyway…I don't know how to convince Heer though!!
Nihaal- in that case…we have to talk to her, there's no other way out…we've got to be straight and honest…let's ask her to come over
Teji- yes, but what if she says no?
Nihaal- if the Junejas are okay with the proposal then she's got to agree! It's not just about marriage, it's about setting a wrong right…silencing gossip mongers…and getting our relationship with the Junejas the respect it deserves!
His parents agree
AT JUNEJA HOUSE
Prem comes home from playing golf and sees his parents and grandparents are ecstatic! There's a bottle of champagne waiting to be opened and they're dancing and hugging each other for no reason.
Prem- hello everyone
The elders look up at him and smile
Surinder gets up to greet him- Prem puttar! We have good news for you! Come, sit here
Lalit- we have fixed your marriage
Prem is intrigued- really? Who is she?
Lalit- Balraaj and Teji's daughter Heer
Prem {confused}- Heer? Doesn't she live in London? Nihaal was telling me she has no intention of moving back here anytime soon
Lalit and Gayatri look at each other and Gayatri says- that is correct, she is not moving here, you are moving there!
Prem- WHAT? That is outrageous! I will not be a party to…
Lalit cuts in between- Prem…you decided to stay back for us…now you will have to go for us
Prem- what does that mean?
Saraswati- Prem puttar, you know what your bua did years ago…we've not been able to live in Ludhiana or go to Ambala with our heads high after that…by marrying Heer, you will not only fulfill the dream our dadaji and Baldev bhaisaab had seen but also give your family the respect it has lost
Surinder- besides, you will only be living in London for a few years, come back if you don't like it there…
Prem sighs- well then…if this gives you happiness, then so be it…I will marry her and move to London…good that the job offer there is still open
The elders are all very happy, Lalit opens the champagne…they drink to Prem & Heer's happiness
Prem- there's a catch…if I accept this job, I will have to join in two months time…that means you guys have to go ahead with the marriage quickly
Gayatri- oho, my son is eager to get married haan
Prem blushes- come on ma!
Lalit- that means, if you have 2 months before you join…the marriage should happen in about 6 weeks from now so we have 2 weeks for the rest of the rituals before you and Heer leave
Saraswati- 6 weeks?
Gayatri- that is too less Lalit! My eldest son is getting married, I need 3 months at least!
Surinder- it can't be helped bahu
Gayatri, dejectedly- ah well, I suppose then 6 weeks will have to do! Kulraj will help me…and Veera and Meher should come to use with the clothes and jewelry
Saraswati- Preet and his friends will take care of the music at the functions
Lalit grumbles- band bajay wala!
Surinder- Lali! Let him be!
Lalit- I've let him be for 22 years…see what he's become? Anyway…I will talk to Harman, his friend has a terrific hall we can book for the wedding
Surinder- but tell Balraaj!
Lalit- oh right! I will call him now
MAAN HOUSE
Balraaj is tensed after Lalit's phone call. He doesn't know how to get Heer to India in 6 weeks and convince her for the wedding. Nihaal tells him to ask her to come for a holiday next month, 2 weeks before the wedding and not to tell anything to her yet. Balraaj calls Heer
Balraaj- how are you Heer beta?
Heer- I'm doing good papji…been busy at work…boy! Am I glad we have weekends
Balraaj chuckles- you know puttar, you haven't been here for two years, we were wondering if you could take a month off and come here to see us
Heer thinks for a while- well…I have been thinking that a holiday is due…
Balraaj- exactly! We haven't seen you since you got done with your MBA…we need to see your degree! In person!
Heer laughs- I'll see what I can do papaji…I need to check my schedule with my secretary first
Balraaj- you do that beta and don't worry about the ticket, I can send it to you
Heer laughs- papaji…I assure you the ticket is no problem…I just need to see if I can take a holiday…I will let you know on Monday
Balraaj- okay beta, take care…love you
Heer- love you too papaji…bye
Balraaj- well, that was easy!
Teji- Preet talks to her everyday! He will tell her on Monday
Nihaal- no he won't…Preet calls her from work and he left for Mumbai last night…Prem was telling me that he'll be away for 3 weeks…it's some training from the call center
Balraaj- will he work there forever? I mean shouldn't he get an MBA instead of working that odd job and playing the guitar and drums?
Nihaal- he will papa, Prem said he's asked for a year…if he's unable to make it big as a musician he'll go to university
Balraaj- good! Teji…we have to start preparing…but how do we keep this a secret from Heer? Meher won't tell if we ask her to keep mum…but what about the other Junejas? Veera thinks of her as a sister…Harman is friendly with her, Lalit & Gayatri might want to talk to their future bahu
Teji- you think too much…they won't do anything of the sort…just ask Meher to keep quiet
A month goes by…the families especially Meher & Veera who get to experiment their designer skills before graduating are ecstatic…Preet is back from Mumbai and Nihaal corners him and asks him not to call Heer, Preet is surprised but Nihaal covers things up saying it has to do with old customs as Preet is from her sasural now…Preet doesn't believe in such things but decides to comply anyway as Heer's coming to India after a week…
And finally the day arrives…Heer's plane lands at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and the Maan's have reached to pick her up…there are hugs and kisses and emotional family scenes at the airport…Heer is ambitious but she loves her family very much and it shows in the way she greets them. Prem has gone off to Dubai for a week to finalise his transfer to London and will be back a week before the wedding…by that time the ladies have said that Premeer will not be able to meet as the bride and groom must not see each other right before the wedding. Each knows what the other looks like. Prem has seen countless photos that Gayatri pushed under his nose…he thinks she's pretty but sparks don't fly…beauty isn't what Prem's looking for in a wife…he wants her to put family first. Heer has seen Prem's photos in the family pictures Preet, Veera and Harman have on Facebook…she thinks he's handsome but stupid because he first down a terrific offer in New York and more recently refused an even better one in London. She doesn't identify with the guy.
Later at the Maan's residence-
Heer has settled down in PJs and flipflops…her flight came in late at night so the Junejas have decided to meet her the following day. Balraaj, Teji and Nihaal decide it is the best time to tell her…
Balraaj- Heer, we have to talk to you
Heer- of course papaji…I'm here after two whole years! Even I have lots to tell you!
Teji fears that there is a man in her life- what? You have a boyfriend?
Heer rolls her eyes- ma! Can you please stop asking that! I don't have time to go grocery shopping! My secretary Stella orders it over the internet for me and you're asking me if I have a boyfriend! When I said I have lots to tell I meant about my job, friends, London…you know!
Balraaj laughs- you know your mother Heer! Anyway, this time I am glad you don't have a boyfriend and if you remember…we said if you don't have one…we'll find you a husband
Heer is on the verge of panicking- yes, but we decided that would happen after I get my career goals
Nihaal- what if we found a guy who fits into your lifestyle? Is as educated and successful- if not more {he says pointedly} as you are {Heer raises an eyebrow, more successful than me? That'll be interesting…then I'm sure he is balding and has a paunch or looks nerdy- she thinks while Nihaal continues} as good looking as you are {woah! Heer thinks…successful and good looking? Wow, I thought that kind were extinct} then what Heer? Will you marry him?
Heer- who is he?
Nihaal- Lalit uncle's son Prem
Heer {thinks- Mr. Silly Billy, hum saath saath hain types? Errr, nooo!!}- sounds interesting…but I cannot get married now…I live in London…I am not moving back here now…
Nihaal- you don't have to move here…he will move there!
Heer- you mean he's one of those gold diggers who marry girls living abroad so they can get passports?
Nihaal- nooo Heer, he has a valid job offer there, will earn more than you…and he is in Dubai now getting his passport stamped so he doesn't need your help to get a visa
Heer- but I don't have time for a husband and inlaws now! {she's fighting a losing battle}
Balraaj- what inlaws? The two of you will live in London!
Heer- yes papaji but a husband will expect me to be home at 6, cook dinner, iron his clothes, sit and talk to him…I really can't do that! I leave for work at 8 a.m. and I never know when I'm coming back…sometimes I grab a burger or some fried chicken from a local takeout…in fact…I didn't have time to cook for the last 2 weeks cos I was busy covering up for my absence…you think a husband will like that? An Indian husband at that? I can't get married
Balraaj is depressed! Teji and Nihaal look at him and get angry. Teji- we're not asking you! We're telling you! We've done so much for you…can't you give us this happiness?
Balraaj- no Teji…we're not going to force her…forcefulness ruined a lot in my family years ago…
Nihaal- Heer, please say yes…this marriage will salvage the respect we've lost…
Heer- how? Kuljeet aunty was supposed to marry Balveer tauji…a bahu was coming to this family…she didn't and Balveer tauji killed himself…in return…you're sending me there? How does that make any sense?
Balraaj- it isn't about bringing a Juneja girl to this family…it's about two friends becoming relatives…your dadaji and Surinder chachaji had fought a lot of people in Ludhiana and Ambala to make that marriage happen…to this day…29 years later…those people taunt us for what we were unable to do…but it is your life…why should you uphold your family's honour? We will not force you…come Teji…Nihaal…we have to disappoint the Junejas…and not to mention that Prem, inspite of being a boy…agreed to this union without so much of a word and moved to London, leaving the family he loves so much…only because he wanted to help put that wrong right…
And that did it for Heer, she'd never seen her dad so depressed and broken…she knew what their friends and relatives in Punjab said about their friendship with the Junejas…she knew everything…and she did love her family…Heer Maan made a quick decision…she wouldn't have to quit her job…she won't have to give up her dreams…she won't leave London and her family will be happy…the guy wasn't bad looking…Preet & Nihaal bhaiyya always had good things to say about him…well…darn it! She'd say yes!
Heer- papaji…wait! {her parents and brothers turned around} if this is what makes you happy and if I don't even have to leave London…then my answer is yes…I will marry Prem…
Her family is ecstatic! Teji- great! There's so much to do! The wedding is in 2 weeks! Come with me…
Heer {shocked, she'd thought they would merely get engaged now}- two weeks? Did you say TWO WEEKS?
Kumkum Bhagya
