~ Preet Meher Extended OS - Tere Naina ~ (update pg 5) - Page 2

She was avoiding him.

His fever had finally started subsiding but the thought pestered his mind.

Looking at those downcast eyes, that were so obviously hiding something... he could feel it...there was something bothering her...

Meher scooped her third spoon of the soup and brought it closer to Preet's mouth, waiting for him to accept it. He didn't. Instead he held her hand and guided the spoon back into the bowl.

"What's wrong Meher?" Preet asked softly.

Meher looked up at his eyes and was shocked to see how deeply they reflected his concern. He had barely awoken two minutes ago and he had already sensed something was wrong with her. As she continued to stare into his soft brown eyes, she couldn't help appreciate the fact that Preet knew and understood her so well. The corners of her lips threatened to lift up in a smile as she thought of their unbreakable bond of friendship and ... marriage. Then another voice rung in her mind and Meher felt like she couldn't breathe.

You will always be his wife, but I will always be the woman he loved.

Preet frowned as he observed the change of expression on her features. For a second, he had felt like she was about to smile, but that faded quickly and he was taken aback by the sudden but unmistakable glistening of tears in her eyes.

"Meher..." He breathed out her name, but she was already shutting him off like he had seen too much of what she was trying so desperately to hide.

She quickly got up from the side of the bed, placing the bowl of soup beside him.

"Preet, please finish the rest. It will help you feel better... I have some work, so I'll just be back," Meher said very quickly, avoiding his eyes.

Before Preet could call out to her, she had already left the room.

***

She stared up at the moon as hot tears slid down her face.

Preet, mai tumse itna pyaar karti hoon ke yeh pyaar hum dono ki puri zindagi ke liye kaafi hai.

The phrase she had reiterated in her mind every single day with every fresh realization of the extent of her love for him rang in her mind. Then, why? Why after all this time when she had learnt to accept the reality and made herself content in being just his friend was it all of a sudden bothering her so much? Why was it causing her so much pain that Preet didn't love her back?

Because of Ash?

Really Meher? That's all it took for you to think so selfishly, to want so selfishly?

Par mai kya karoon!? Mai Preet ki ankhon mein kisi aur ke liye pyaar nahin dekh sakhti!

She clenched the duppatta on her neck tightly as her sobs intensified and she felt like her heart was throbbing in pain.

What if Preet still loves her? What if she was the only thing stopping him from leading a blissful life with Ash?

All of a sudden Meher felt like an intruder, an outsider in the story of Preet and Ash.

Was she?

That night she didn't go to their room until it was very late, not wanting to explain her swollen eyes to Preet. The curtains encasing their windows were wide open, casting a pale light on Preet's face. Kneeling down beside him, Meher stroked his head lovingly. She felt her eyes getting moist even as a smile adorned her lips as she gazed at his relaxed features, his innocent face in sleep.

How ironic that one person could give her so much happiness and pain at the same time.

Realizing that she seldom got this chance, Meher could not help but place a light kiss on his forehead, before finally getting up, tearing her eyes away from him and lying on her side of the bed. Her heavily exhausted body finally won over her conflicting thoughts and sleep overcame her...

***

The next morning

Preet who had walked into the kitchen in search of Meher, froze in his tracks as he observed the appalling scene in front of him.

"So Meher, how's my Preet feeling? Better I hope?" Ash asked as she hoisted herself up onto the kitchen counter, sitting comfortably while Meher oversaw the warming milk so that it did not boil over.

Meher flinched but did not answer.

"Hmm...I think I smell something burning, do you?"

Meher took a deep breath but continued to ignore her. Meanwhile Ash's lips curved into a nasty snarl.

"I meant the milk of course," Ash said continuing to smile, and taking obvious pleasure from Meher's discomfort.

For a second Meher was confused, then looking down she saw that the milk really was about to spill over. Without thinking she moved the pot off the stove and then shrieked as she nearly burnt her fingers on its hot surface.

"Meher!" Preet yelled out and was by her side in a matter of seconds.

Meher looked up at him in surprise, opening her mouth to say something but unable to as he examined her hand with worry lines etched in his face. She saw his lips moving and forming words and was distinctly aware that he was saying something yet she didn't hear what as she was so immersed in the mix of worry and anger for her that was in his eyes.

"Meher, I'm talking to you," Preet said slightly shaking her by the shoulders.

"Huh?" Meher asked as she broke out of her reverie.

"You wait here, I'll just get the balm," he said and turned to go but Meher quickly stopped him.

"Preet, I'm fine! It's really nothing, I can't even feel it anymore..."

"But Meher -"

"Trust me Preet. I'm okay," Meher reassured him.

She was happy when Preet finally relaxed and they both simultaneously smiled at each other.

Ash cleared her throat as if to remind them of her presence and Preet frowned as the smile wiped off Meher's face.

"Waise Meher..." he continued to talk like he hadn't noticed Ash's overbearing presence, "I almost forgot what I came here for."

"What?"

"There was something that you gave me last night that I had to return...Do you remember what?" Preet asked with a mischievous smile.

"Kya, Preet?" Meher asked questioningly, getting impatient but Preet's smile only widened, (while Ash's scowl deepened).

Then the smile on his face wiped off abruptly as he shouted out, "Meher look the milk's boiling!"

Meher's head quickly snapped to the stove.

Hadn't she just took it off the-

Preet kissed her cheek.

***

THE END!

HAHA just kidding. I wouldn't leave it hanging over there. I'll write one last part for you guys and hopefully update it much faster this time. :)

Honestly, thank you sooo much to everyone who reviews, comments, or even just reads my work! I love you guyss!! 🤗