Chapter 34 - A Promise
Meher was ready bright and early the next morning. Preet would be here soon to pick her up for their Kasauli trip. Meher moved quickly towards the kitchen. She was sure they wouldn't be back in time for lunch, so she had decided to pack a picnic basket for everyone. Just then the Phone rang.
"Hello?" said Meher. "Oh! Namaste Prem Jiju. Yes, don't worry I'll keep an eye on Preet and Veera. No! No! Don't worry I'll take care of everything. Right, I'll call her right away. Heer Didi! Prem Jiju ka phone hai!"
"Thanks Meher", said Heer. "Hi Prem..."
Meher left for the kitchen, so her sister could have some privacy. Little did she know the conversation was about her.
"What?!" cried Heer. "Preet and Meher! But...I thought she didn't like him!"
"So did I!" said Prem. "I mean so did we all! But I tell you Heer, I'm really happy for them. Preet couldn't have picked a better girl".
"Uff! Meher ki bachee (That Meher)!" cried Heer. "How could she keep this from me?"
"Don't be upset Heer", laughed Prem. "Veera found out and told everyone in our family. She's been giving Preet a really hard time since. Thank God that's not me!"
"Yes, but I'm so close to her", said Heer pouting.
"Look Heer", said Prem. "they wanted to focus on making sure everything with our wedding went smoothly, then get our respective parents' permission after that. My Bauji still doesn't know, and I think you should let Meher tell your parents, when she feels the time is right".
"Hmm...", said Heer. "Then why are you telling me all this?"
"Oh...well..." said Prem. "because...there's always an exception to every rule, and you're mine. You're going to be my wife Heer, and I never want to keep anything from you".
Heer blushed. She couldn't believe she was actually going to marry the most caring and loving man in the world. After a little more small talk, she ended her phone call and looked towards the kitchen with her eyes narrowed. Right now she had other fish to fry.
"Meher are you ready?" asked Heer walking into the kitchen.
"Yes Di", said Meher as she looked over the items in her basket, then ran to the fridge to grab some bottles of mango juice.
"Now remember Meher", pleaded Heer. "Prem and I are counting on you to save us from any devious designs Preet and Veera have up their sleeves".
"Don't worry Heer Didi", said Meher hugging her sister. "I won't let anyone spoil your special moment with Prem Jiju".
"Hmm...and of course you'll get to spend some time with Preet too",said Heer with a sly smile.
Meher looked at her sister in surprise. "Ouch Didi!" she cried as Heer grabbed her by the ear.
"You and Preet are in love?! Why didn't you tell me?!" Heer demanded. "I had to learn about it second hand from Prem!"
I should have known Prem Jiju wouldn't keep anything from Heer Didi, thought Meher. "Shhh! Didi please!" pleaded Meher. "I'm sorry! I was going to tell you and Mama and Papaji, after your wedding. I swear!"
Meher explained to Heer about Daljeet Singh's threat, and the fact that she knew about Viren. And how she and Preet were trying to remain low key, because they wanted everything with Prem and Heer's wedding to go smoothly.
"Hmm...I'm still a bit miffed at the fact that I had to hear about it from Prem", said Heer. "But I guess you had your reasons. And best of all, my little sister and I are going to have the same sasural (set of in-laws)! I'm so happy!"
"Meher!" called Teji. "Veera's here!"
"Oops!" said Meher. "Didi, please don't say anything to Ma, she'll never let me go with Preet."
"Don't worry", smiled Heer. "I won't say anything to anyone".
"Ab beta jaldi jana aur jaldi wapas aana (Go and come back quickly)", Teji was saying to Veera, when Meher reached them.
"Yes Chachee Ji", Veera assured Teji. "Chalain (Shall we go) Meher Di?"
"What's that?" Veera asked Meher, as they walked back to the car.
"It's lunch", replied Meher. "I thought..."
"That since Preet Bhaiya kal aap ke haat ki gobi nahin kha sake to aaj kuch unko khila dain (my brother Preet couldn't eat the gobi you cooked yesterday, you'd make something special for him today)", teased Veera.
"Nahin! Nahin! (No! No!)" protested Meher. "It's not like that at all. I packed lunch for everyone. And I didn't even make gobi!" Meher closed her eyes. Why was she being so defensive? "Look Veera", said Meher, "I know what you must be thinking. You caught Preet in my room yesterday. And the other night I got caught in Preet's room. But neither one of those times was my fault! Tumhara bhai na...ek number ka shaitan hai! (Your brother is a mischievous little devil)"
"Of course!" laughed Veera. "But that's why you love him don't you?"
Meher blushed.
"Hey Meher Di...relax", smiled Veera. "You don't have to feel uncomfortable or embarrassed around me. I'm really happy for you and Preet Bhaiya. In fact, I think my brother couldn't have made a better choice".
"But how did you find out?" asked Meher.
"I guess it all began from his emails", replied Veera.
"Emails?" asked Meher.
"Preet Bhaiya ke her email mein aap ka tazkara hota tha (He used to mention you in all of his emails)", explained Veera. "For the first time in my life I saw my brother mention a girl in his emails to me...that too by name. His excitement about even the slightest interaction with you was like jumping out of the monitor. Then I came to India and saw the two of you together...well...after that, putting 2 and 2 together was no rocket science. I love to tease my brother Meher. It sort of goes along with the job description of being Preet Juneja's younger sister...but I really adore him too. And I'm very happy that someone as wonderful and sweet as you has come into his life. Shahid ab woh sudhar bhi jayein (Maybe now he'll grow up)".
"Thanks", smiled Meher. "But I do have one complaint...we hadn't planned on telling anyone yet..."
"Han! I know", laughed Veera. "But like Preet Bhaiya always says...good news bantnay se barti hai (good news increases by sharing it with others)! I remember when I first fell in love...I wanted to shout it out from the top of Big Ben...Veera loves Vir..." Veera stopped suddenly. For a moment Meher saw a dark sadness come over the usually bright bubbly girl.
Oh No! She must be thinking of Viren. Poor girl, she's really been hurt badly. That snake! At least he won't be able to ruin anymore lives now...other than Vishaka's, thought Meher bitterly. "Veera...are you alright?" she asked.
"Huhn? Oh yes", said Veera, returning from thoughts of her bitter past. "Preet Bhaiya will be waiting. Let's hurry".
Preet was leaning against the car waiting for them. "Thank you so much itni jaldi aanay ke liye (for coming so quickly)", he said sarcastically. "I was beginning to think you forgot about me. Don't tell me you guys started discussing clothes again".
"No", said Veera. "Meher Di was just packing a picnic lunch for us. Isn't she sweet?"
Preet smiled at Meher. Meher could feel her cheeks turning pink again.
"Um Meher Didi", said Veera taking the basket from Meher's hand. "I'll hold onto this and keep it with me in the back seat. You sit with Preet Bhaiya up front".
"Um...No Veera...it's okay, I'll..." stammered Meher.
"No! No! I insist", said Veera. "Woh kya hai na (You see)...If I put the basket up front, Preet Bhaiya's bound to start munching. And if you sit in the back seat, he's bound to stare at you repeatedly in the rear view mirror. In either case...hum sab hi marey jayein ge...ya to bhook se, ya phir (we'll all die...either from hunger or from)...Crash! Boom! Bang! se".
"Ha! Ha! Very funny!" said Preet. "Just remember, Ma isn't going to be with us to protect you...so you better behave, else you'll have to walk back home.
Veera stuck her tongue out at Preet.
It was a beautiful day. And as the sun rose higher, the surroundings seemed to become even more colorful. Preet had put the roof of the car down and Meher was thoroughly enjoying the drive and the suns warming rays. Her eyes were closed and a big smile had lit up her face, when she suddenly felt someone's hand on hers. She looked down in surprise to see her hand in Preet's grip. How could he take such liberties with Veera in the back seat?! thought Meher.
"Preet!" hissed Meher, as she tried to release her hand. "What are you doing?!"
"I'm holding your hand Meher", replied Preet. "Geez...sometimes you ask the silliest questions".
Meher tried to release her hand again, to no avail. Instead, Preet pulled her hand up to his lips and kissed it. Meher's mouth fell open as she felt her face turn red. She was sure Veera was watching the entire spectacle with amusement. Yeh Preet bhi na...kitna besharam ho gaya hai (How shameless has Preet become), she thought. "Preet...Veera...", she began.
"...is asleep", said Preet completing her sentence.
Meher quickly looked at the back seat. Sure enough Veera had fallen asleep reading the book she had brought along.
"I guess The Arabian Nights isn't so interesting after all", smiled Preet. He pulled Meher closer to him and put his arm around her. Meher smiled and let her head rest on his shoulder.
About an hour and a half later, they were in Kasauli, driving up the hill where the log house was situated. Preet finally brought the car to a stop in the driveway of the Juneja's Log House.
"Wow! It's beautiful here!" cried Meher , as she exited the car and took delight in the scenery before her.
"It is. Isn't it?" agreed Veera. "You should see it during the snowfall. It's really too bad, we don't come out here more often, or that Kasauli isn't as well known a tourist attraction as say Shimla".
"But that's why it's still so peaceful, and its natural beauty well preserved", said Preet as he got out of the car and opened the trunk. "Whoa!" he cried, "Veera! Look at all this stuff! No wonder you fell asleep on the way. You must have been up all night loading the car!"
"What is all this?" asked Meher joining Preet by the trunk.
"Oh just your standard suhag raat decorations", remarked Veera. "Strings of flowers, rose petals, perfume, papad, alarm clocks, whoopie cushions, fake vomit, snakes in a can, candles that don't blow out, a skeleton...Oh and mood music".
"Alright!" said Preet giving his sister a high 5.
Meher exhaled and smiled weakly at the scheming brother-sister duo. I have my work cut out for me, she sighed. Her thoughts were interrupted by someone approaching them.
"Preet Baba...Veera Beti! Kaiso ho aap? (How are you?)", he called out.
"Ramu Kaka!" cried Veera as she ran up to the old man.
"That's Ramu Kaka", Preet whispered to Meher. "He's the caretaker for our property up here".
"Look Ramu Kaka", cried Veera, "I'm as tall as you now!"
Ramu Kaka laughed heartily, before looking questioningly at Meher.
"Oh!" cried Veera. "This is Meher Didi. She's Prem Bhaiya's Salli (sister-in-law) to be, and Preet Bhaiya's..."
"Veera!" cried Preet.
"Namaste", smiled Meher.
"Namaste Beta, and welcome to Kasauli", said Ramu Kaka. He helped the small group carry their things into the log house, and Veera and Preet went to work right away.
Ramu kaka helped Meher fix the bed sheets and put up a canopy of flowers over the bed. Preet and Veera came running and stuffed the papad under the sheets and alarm clocks under the bed. Meher sprinkled the bed with rose petals, while Preet and Veera set up the fake candles. Meher straightened out the stool by the dresser, while Veera came and hid a whoopie cushion under the stool's cushion. Preet placed the fake candy jars with pop out snakes on the dresser, then went to "seat" the skeleton in the bathroom. Veera was going on about having found the perfect spot for the fake vomit when Meher shook her head and walked out onto the deck of the log house. The view was spectacular. In the distance she saw a beautiful little mandir situated at the top of the hill across from the one the log house was on. Meher went back inside the loghouse and took out some paper and a pencil from her bag. She went back out on the deck and made some notes on one paper, and then began to sketch the scene in front of her on another. Just then Ramu Kaka walked in with an arm load of firewood.
"There", said Ramu Kaka, as he settled his load onto the rest of the wood he had collected. "That should be enough to keep Prem Sir and the Mrs. warm for several nights. Meher Beta, are you guys finished with your work?"
"Ji", replied Meher. "I think Veera's just packing up. Oh Ramu Kaka, here is a list of all the booby traps Preet and Veera have set. I hope you don't mind clearing them out after we leave".
"Not at all", chuckled Ramu Kaka, as he took the paper from Meher. "Not into fun and games are you?"
"Oh, I don't mind a practical joke here and there", smiled Meher. "But not on my Di's suhag raat. It should be special, just like she's always dreamed of. Besides I promised Prem Jiju and my Didi that I'd be on their side here. Veera was so enthusiastic about her booby traps that I didn't have the heart to put her down. I thought enlisting your help was the best solution. That way she and Preet could have their fun, and Prem Jiju and Heer Didi could have their peace".
"Smart girl", said Ramu Kaka.
"Um...Ramu Kaka, what's that?" asked Meher pointing to the temple.
"That my child is a temple devoted to Radha-Krishna. Kasauli doesn't get many visitors, but those who do come, especially young couples, make it a point to trek up there. It is said that if two people with true love in their hearts tie a thread and make a wish in the temple, their wishes definitely come true".
"Really?!" said Meher, with wide-eyed excitement. I have to tell Preet, she thought.
"Meher Di", said Veera. "I'm all packed. We can go for our little picnic now. Preet Bhaiya already went down to the car. Let's catch up to him before he finishes all the goodies in the picnic basket".
Meher and Veera found Preet leaning against the car munching on an apple.
"Come on you guys hop in", he said. "I'm starving! Let's go and find a good spot for our picnic."
"Preet I'd like to go there", said Meher pointing to the Mandir.
"You want to go to the Mandir...now?" asked Preet.
"Well, maybe we could find a nice spot to picnic near it, and then go see the mandir afterwards", suggested Meher. "Ramu Kaka was saying that agar 2 premie us mandir mein ja ke dhaga bandte hain, aur unke dil mein ek doosray ke liye sucha pyar hai, toh Bhagwan unki murad zaroor poori karte hain (Ramu Kaka was saying that if 2 people in love go to that mandir, tie a thread and make a wish, then God will definitely fulfill their wish)".
"Oh come on Meher", said Preet rolling his eyes, "Don't tell me you believe in all that stuff. Since when did you become so filmy?"
"Uff ho!" cried Veera. "Preet Bhaiya, don't be so dense! Meher, you'll have to excuse him. It's not entirely his fault. It's a long standing rumor in our family, but I'm sure it's true...that he slipped from the nurse's hands during delivery and landed straight on his head."
"That explains a lot of things", giggled Meher.
"Why you little...", cried Preet as he took astep towards Veera.
"Preet Bhaiya!" cried Veera, running behind Meher. "Meher Di made such a romantic suggestion and it just flew over your head".
"Huhn?" asked Preet. "Mandir? Romantic? I don't get it".
Veera slapped her forehead in frustration. "Bhaiya! You! Meher! Mandir! Alone time! Promises of love! Me! Here! Picnic basket!"
"Oh!" said Preet.
"Yay! I think a light bulb just went on", said Veera clapping her hands.
Preet glared Veera, before turning to smile at Meher. "I'll take you to the Mandir right after lunch Meher".
Preet drove Meher and Veera to the hill with the Mandir on it. He parked the car at the base of the hill, and then proceeded to find a good spot to set their picnic. The three ate, laughed and talked about different things. All were excited about the upcoming nuptials. The delicious lunch Meher had packed had soon refreshed them all.
"Preet Bhaiya, I'll clear up here and put everything away in the car", offered Veera. "Why don't you and Meher Di check out the Mandir?"
Preet and Meher agreed gratefully. Meher smiled as Preet took her hand and led her carefully up the hill. Soon they were standing before the small structure, with beautifully carved walls. Preet and Meher took off their shoes and entered the tiny mandir. They stood before the murtis of Radha and Krishna, closed their eyes and put their hands together in prayer. Preet opened his eyes first. He smiled as he looked over at Meher and found her still engrossed in prayer.
"Wow!" grinned Preet. "You and Bhagwan must be having a serious conversation. Mere liye hi kuch mang rahi ho gi, hai na (You must be asking for something to do with me right)?".
"Preet!" whispered Meher. "Don't disturb!"
Preet tapped his foot impatiently.
Meher opened her eyes and glared at him. "Preet please, we're in the Mandir!" she cried before returning to her prayers.
"Oh! Sorry", said Preet. But it wasn't long before he spoke again. "Hey what's this?" he asked.
Meher finished her prayers and turned to look at what Preet was pointing to. It was a wooden pole with lots of colorful thread and pieces of cloth tied to it.
"This must be where people tie their thread and make a wish", said Meher. "Come on Preet why don't we tie something and make a wish too".
"Okay", said Preet. He began to look in his pockets for something, but came up empty handed. "I know", he said pointing to a slightly wider sash wrapped around the pole. "Maybe we can borrow some from here".
"Preet No!" cried Meher. "We can't go around untying other peoples stuff!" She thought for a momment. "I know what", she said, touching the string of beads around her neck, "kyun na hum apna pyar yahan band de (why don't we tie the symbol of our love here)?"
Preet looked at her questioningly.
Meher carefully undid the colorful necklace, and handed one end to Preet, while she held the other. Both of them tied it around the pole, then closed their eyes momentarily and made a wish.
"What did you ask for?" Asked Preet and Meher simultaneously.
"I'm sure we can guess what we asked for, but let's not tell each other", suggested Meher.
"Why not?" asked Preet.
"I don't know", shrugged Meher. "But I think I've heard somewhere that if you tell what you wish for then it won't come true.
Preet rolled his eyes and said, "Meher, I already love you. Tying a piece of string on a pole is not going to change that".
"I know, I know" said Meher, "but let's make it official".
"You want to get married right now?" asked Preet in surprise. "I mean...wouldn't that be like stealing the spotlight from PB and Heer Bhabi".
"No Preet", said Meher. "I'm not talking about getting married right now. I meant let's make it official by making a promise to love each other forever with Bhagwan as our witness".
"Well Meher, I don't know...I mean, forever is an awfully long time", joked Preet.
Meher smacked Preet on the arm. "Okay...Okay", he said. "You promise something first".
"Um...Let's see...", said Meher thinking. "I promise to be your warm spot to cuddle up to when you feel cold".
"And I promise to be your soft place to land on if you fall", chuckled Preet.
"Preet! Be serious!" said Meher smacking him on his arm again.
"Okay okay!" said Preet holding his ears. "Uh...I promise to be the first one to say I am sorry...even if I'm right".
"I promise to support you in your decisions, even if I don't agree", said Meher.
"And I promise to compromise with you", said Preet.
"I promise to be your strength when you are weak", said Meher.
"I promise to make you laugh", said Preet.
"And I promise to love you without expecting you to change", said Meher.
"I promise to make a new memory with you each and every day", said Preet.
"And I promise to never let you feel alone in this world", said Meher.
"And I promise to love you...forever", said Preet.
"Me too", said Meher smiling. She patted the beads she and Preet had just tied. "Now as long as this mandir stands and in it our love remains bound here in the shape of these beads, we will also remain tied to each other in a bond of love. Promise?"
Preet took Meher into his arms and kissed her on her forehead. "I promise", he replied.
"That was a bit filmy wasn't it?" asked Meher.
"Yes", laughed Preet.
Suddenly a flash of light went off. "Gotcha!" cried Veera as she snapped a picture of Preet and Meher on her camera.
"Veera!" both Preet and Meher cried simultaneously.
"Last one back to the car is a rotten egg!" cried Veera before darting out of the mandir.
Preet and Meher looked at each other shaking their heads disapprovingly at Veera's childish behavior. All of a sudden Meher made a run for it.
"Hey no fair!" cried Preet. A mischievous grin came over his face as he too made a run for it.
Hope you all liked it. Please remember to leave your comments or at least hit the like button. Thanks for your continued support. 😛
P.S.: I've never been to Kasauli and this mandir is made up (creative licensing)...as far as I know.
Chapter 35 Preview: More Meet fun at the mehndi party.
Edited by ummesulaiman - 10 years ago
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