Hello everyone...here's the next one 😃 Premeer are going to interact before they get married, here's how! 😛
I decided to call this chapter ''a new world'' because our protagonists will experience new things here...things they're not used to, some likable...others disfavoured, but they're all part of a new world and they must learn to take the bad with the good 😳
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Chapter 6- A New World
Prem was staying at the Hyatt in Dubai, he had to admit that taking the London offer had come with perks, he looked at the stunning views of Dubai's skyline from his 39-square-metre room offering contemporary decor and classical Arabian touches. Pampering amenities included plush king-size bed with Dorfmueller duvets, generous separate work area with high-speed Internet access, a mini-bar, a coffee maker, three telephone lines a stylish Italian marble bath with separate tub and shower, twin basins and bidet and a lot more. His meeting at the hotel boardroom had gone quite well and he was now meeting an old friend Milind Patel for lunch at the Manhattan Grill in Hyatt. Prem thought about how his life had changed in the last one month, agreeing to marry Heer had given him things he hadn't cared about…all he wanted was a comfortable job and good time with his family.
Now he was Head of Operations, LG Europe. The company had flown him first class to Dubai where a Mercedes S550 had picked him up from the airport and brought him here…in the lap of luxury, all paid for by the company. He'd never wanted it, but now that he had it…he couldn't say he didn't like it.
At the restaurant- Prem smiled as he walked to where his friend was sitting. Milind and Prem had met at MIT and shared a room. Milind was originally from Ahmedabad but had been brought up in the States. After graduating he'd surprised everyone and taken a job in Dubai…the bigger surprise came when he went to his home town for a cousin's wedding…fell in love with the bride and eloped with her on the wedding day. He had created quite a sensation when he'd run off with Prachi two years ago and his family had cut him off since then. Prem thought Milind was stupid, no girl was worth sacrificing one's family…but Milind had been adamant, he loved Prachi, now as Prem walked up to his friend he saw that the other man looked good. Milind had changed for the better.
Milind- hey, hey hey…look who's finally getting married! {the two men hugged} congratulations man!
Prem- thanks dude, how've you been? {the two men took their seats}
Milind- how do I look? I know you'll say marriage agrees with me…{Prem smirked} that's what everyone says!
Prem- everyone except me!
Milind- hey, we've been over this, I had to marry her…that SOB Neev was an alcoholic! He was into girls, partying, whatnot…I practically saved her!
Prem- one of my friend's sister is getting married, I heard the guy is pretty abusive…go marry her now!
Milind- you know I can't…
Prem- precisely my point Mr. Patel, you can't save every girl! Besides Prachi is educated, had a stable job when you married her, she should've stood up for herself…anyway, let's not go there…we've been talking about this for two years…but I will say this again- you need to go meet your parents, go back to New York…
Milind- I tried, they're just not interested! Anyway, how'd you meet this girl?
Prem- what girl?
Milind- the girl you're marrying Einstein! What's her name by the way?
Prem- Heer, and I didn't meet her
Milind- oh so it's arranged?
Prem- yeah
Milind- I should've guessed! So what's she like?
Prem- I dunno
Milind- what do you mean you dunno? You must've met her at least?
Prem- nope
Milind- damn! You mean you just said yes without meeting her?
Prem- yeah…you know I'd always said I'd marry the girl who fits into my family. She's our old family friend's daughter…you know the Maans? I've told you about them
Milind is thoughtful for a second- oh, yeah yeah! The Nihaal dude you're friends with right?
Prem- she's his sister
Milind- ahh…finally! This marks the end of your parivaar's problems I guess
Prem- yep!
Milind- and you're moving to London…why? Leaving the family?
Prem- no, doing this for the family, Heer works at Morgan Stanley in London, she wants to stay there for a bit, my family's been desperate for me to take up this job anddd are okay with Heer's wish to stay in London…it's all very convenient
Milind- but what about her conveniency?
Prem- what about it?
Milind- you know, girls are different…they expect romance, wining and dining…a knight in shining armor…she wouldn't like it if she knew you think of the whole setup as a 'convenient' arrangement…she'd want you to fall in love with her
Prem- if she wanted love, she would've found herself a man instead of agreeing to marry one her parents chose for her
Milind- hey, that's not true dude! Even people who get into these arranged marriages expect love!
Prem- so what do you suggest?
Milind- just that you're not brining a muse or a servant for your family…she's going to be a wife…and there comes a point when a man needs someone other than his family to rely on…to share his feelings with…a man needs to romance too…probably not now…we tend to get romantic when we're a little older and it's not just about sex…but for us to have an equally romantic partner then…it's important that you lay the foundation now. Besides, no matter how much she's into your family, she'll start hating them if she finds out that they're all you care about…you gotta make her feel special too
Prem is thoughtful for a moment- well, we'll see about that after marriage
Milind- nooo dude! Now, romance starts now or never!
Prem- I'm here for a week, I'll reach Delhi a week before the wedding, I'm not allowed to meet her then
Milind- uh…this is the 21st century Einstein…ever heard of the phone and the internet?
Prem grins- you don't give up easily do you?
Milind- there's no fun in that now is there?
The two men dig into their steaks and start man-talk, sports, politics and business take over and Prem forgets all about Heer.
In Delhi
Dinner with the Junejas was predictable! Noisy, colorful and rumbustious. Basically, it lacked everything Heer Maan had come to treasure in her years abroad. Peace, quiet…the restraint. Dinner now meant a nice aromatic setting in a chic restaurant complete with a three course meal. Everyone used a knife and fork and knew which type of glass was meant for what kind of liquor. Unlike Harman who was drinking red wine in a champagne flute…that did not happen and Heer was glad she wasn't going to live with the Junejas after marriage.
It really didn't mean she was inhuman or that she didn't love them…she adored the way dadaji stole the chicken from dadi's plate passing on the green vegetables in return or how Gayatri aunty…oops, she wanted Heer to call her ma now…anyway, how 'ma' snatched the pudding from Lalit uncle…again… 'bauji'…this was going to take some time, she thought.
Kulraj di and her family had just come down from Chicago and Vikas & Tanu were getting cranky as they were literally forced to stay up and attend the dinner…Heer thought they were adorable but she could've done with a lot less noise…
Saraswati- arre,I am so happy! In a year we will be playing with Heer & Prem's child…
Heer choked on her wine as she thought- woah! Who said anything about having kids? I'm marrying the guy…shouldn't that be enough?
She glared at Teji who laughed nervously and said- yes, yes…why not!
Heer could take it no more…she cornered her mother and said- I am not going to get pregnant so soon! Do you have any idea what maternity leave could do to my career right now? Besides, when I have children, I want to be with them…I wouldn't want to ignore them just because I have a job to run to! So no kids for now ma!
Teji- don't get worked up puttar! Nobody can force you to conceive right? Only you & Prem can decide when is the right time to have babies…the rest of us can only wish! {she sighed}
Heer {angrily}- and coax!
Meher joined them- are you kidding? Coax you? Xena the warrior princess! {Teji & Meher laughed}
Heer- no, not me! But that Prem Juneja…he's always out to please his family…I swear, if he tries to come near me…I will castrate him! {she's fuming now and doesn't realize what she's said}
Teji gets angry- is that how I've taught you to speak? That too about your future husband? Why did you agree for the wedding if you had plans to pull off this stint huh?
Meher- di, that was really below the belt…I'm sure you've heard of birth control…I mean you just can't stop him from having sex and ask him to touch you only when you want a baby
Heer sighs- I'm sorry, that just came out of nowhere…I didn't really mean that
Preet joins them- didn't really mean what?
Meher nervously replies- uh…di didn't like the dupatta I made for her and went overboard with criticism
Teji- I need to get the coffee…Meher puttar will you please come with me?
The two women leave and Preet motions Heer to sit on a couch nearby
Preet- you know you can talk to me…our relationship doesn't have to change
Heer- it won't
Preet- it already has
Heer- what do you mean?
Preet- your eyes tell me you're not happy…I know there's no one else, but that doesn't mean you should be asked to say yes to the first guy who comes along, even if it's my PB…I'd hate to see you in an imposed relationship
Heer- why do you say that Preet? It's just pre-wedding jitters…it's a girl thing, you won't understand
Preet- hmm, then why do you…
They're interrupted as Preet's phone rings
Preet- hello? {pause before he's back to being himself} hey PB…{Heer looks at him with curiosity, an expression that says, now what're you up to? Preet grins back at her and continues talking} you know you have perfect timing!
Prem- really? Why's that?
Preet- well, someone special's here with me…
Prem- and who…{and it strikes him} oh!
Preet- so?
Prem- so what? Oh damn you Preet, say hi…it's rude to just ignore someone who's there with you
Preet- really? I always knew you were the cultured one in the family…Heer, PB says hi
Heer looked up in surprise, she'd never expected a conversation…not even third hand- oh, hi
Preet- PB she said hi too
Prem- yeah, I heard that {to himself- girl's a looker and sounds great too plus she loves your family…are you lucky or are you lucky PJ?} mmm, Preet, can I talk to her for a second {he's surprised he said that}
Preet- what? {teasingly} what will I get if I give her the phone? {Heer looks at Preet, surprise evident in her eyes…Prem wanted to talk to her? This was not happening! She felt butterflies in her stomach. Heer Maan, who'd always been full of confidence had no trouble dealing with anyone be it the local bhaji wala or a suited booted uptight Englishman in London was actually nervous at the prospect of talking to Prem…shit! What is wrong with me? She was pulled out of her reverie when Preet handed her the phone} PB wants to talk to you {he said with a teasing smile}
Heer felt her throat go dry, damn! Where was that wine? She cleared her throat and took the phone- hello?
To be continued!
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Thanks for the appreciation guys, it means the world to me 🤗
P.S. I hope the mods don't shut this forum, but if they do I will continue in the FF's section 😳
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
