Fatima's Cozy Corner 2 - Link to New Corner on Pg 152 :) - Page 4

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Chapter 24 - Zehnaseeb

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A few weeks later...

"Meher this is so not a good idea", complained Preet as she adjusted his tie and straightened his collar for him. They were standing outside a class room that was beginning to fill with students.

"Of course it is", she said. "Now come on. You promised you'd help. No fair backing out now".

"Meher, I'll do anything for you, you know that", said Preet. "But giving a career day speech in front of a bunch of grade schoolers is not my cup of tea. I mean...I'm not a doctor who saves lives. I'm not even a fireman or a teacher. I work in advertising. I convince people to buy things they probably don't need. Sometimes even I don't know why I'm in the profession I am...so what am I supposed to tell a room full of kids?"

"Well...every career day has a doctor, a fireman or teacher in it", said Meher. "I thought we'd try something new and exciting by bringing in an Ad executive".

"Oh really?" Preet looked at Meher with a raised brow.

"Okay fine...our doctor canceled at the last minute", admitted Meher. "But an Ad executive is just as exciting. Besides it'll be something different for the kids. And you're used to doing presentations so I'm sure you'll be great".

Just then a small boy tugged on Meher's dupatta. "Hi Ms. Maan", he grinned, and held up a shiny red apple. "I brought this for you".

"Aww, thank you Rishi", smiled Meher. She took the apple from him and much to his delight gave him a small peck on his cheek.

"What was that?" asked Preet, as he watched the little boy run away happily.

"What was what?" asked Meher.

"You kissed another guy...right in front of me", frowned Preet.

"Another guy? Preet he's an 8 year old", said Meher.

"But he's still a guy...with 8 year old hormones raging inside of him", insisted Preet.

"Preet...", Meher said as she rolled her eyes.

"And I'd wash that apple really well if I were you", added Preet, "because 8 year old guys have been known to pick their nose".

"Preet!" said Meher.

"...and eat it", continued Preet.

"Ew!!" cried Meher. "I do not want to know this".

"Well it's the truth", insisted Preet.

"I still don't want to know about it", said Meher.

Just then Mrs. Desai, the principle popped her head out of the classroom. "Mr. Juneja we're ready for you now", she said.

Meher found a seat at the back of the classroom, and smiled as she watched Preet give an introduction about himself and his qualifications, followed by an overview of his job, the best and worst parts of it, as well as his reasons for choosing this profession. There were several moans across the room when he mentioned that you had to read a lot in order to keep up with industry trends. Writing, communication and people skills were also very important. He was also very honest about the hard work that needed to be put in and about him getting a break in a reputable firm because of his friend.

He then presented a small slide show on how an ad gets made from the initial stages of meeting the client to the time it actually hits the TV, radio, print and other media. Once the presentation was over, there was a brief question answer session, before the principle announced that it was time for Preet to leave.

"Okay we'll take one last question for Mr Juneja", Mrs. Desai said.

"Advertising sounds pretty cool", said one student. "I think it's something I might enjoy because I'm pretty creative, but my dad says I should become something useful like a doctor. I mean...he always wanted to be a doctor, so I guess he thinks it's important. Besides he says advertising is all about lying for a living. What do you say to that?"

"Well, first of all, I don't think it's fair that your dad wants to relive his life through yours", said Preet.

Oh-o! Thought Meher, as her mind quickly raced to the conversation she and Preet had had about his father.

Preet looked back at Meher, who shot him a reassuring smile. He took a deep breath before continuing. "Um...what I mean is...most people stay in one profession for most of their lives so I think it's important to pick something that you like as opposed to what someone else may like", said Preet. "I'm not saying that your dad's input is unimportant, it just shouldn't be the only factor that influences your career choice.

As for advertisers lying...and I'm not talking about the late night infomercials selling magic wrinkle creams or diet pills...I'm talking about mainstream commercials for mainstream products...I look at it more as an opportunity to tell your unique story about a product and then ultimately letting the customer decide. It's important to be a good story teller, but if you have a product that falls short of the expectation you've created in the advertising campaign, you're only hurting the brand and turning off the customer, neither of which is good for business. So...authenticity does go a long way in advertising".

"Thank you Mr. Juneja. That was a wonderful presentation", said Mrs. Desai. "Okay kids, we're going to have a 5 minute break and then we'll be hearing from Mrs. Chopra, who works as a dietician".

Preet collected his presentation materials and followed the principle out the door, where he was met by Meher.

"Thank you once again Mr. Juneja. And Meher, I'm so glad I hired you. You are truly a life saver. How did you manage to get a busy Ad executive to fill in at such short notice?" said Mrs. Desai.

"Oh...I have my ways", Meher said as she smiled at Preet.

"Well...whatever works", said Mrs. Desai. "Oh! I have to go introduce the next speaker".

Meher waited until Mrs. Desai was gone before locking her arm with Preet's and giving it a tight squeeze. "Thanks Preet. I know how busy you are these days, and still you made time for this. You don't know how much that means to me".

"Anytime", smiled Preet, as he kissed Meher on the top of her head.

"Ms. Maan?" said Rishi.

Preet and Meher turned around to see the little boy standing behind them with a frown on his face.

"Rishi. What are you doing back here? Aren't you supposed to be in class?" asked Meher.

Rishi held up a bathroom pass, before folding his arms together and turning his face to one side. "Hmph! I can't believe you let him kiss you", he said, with disappointment evident in his tone of voice.

"Huhn?" Meher said in surprise.

"Looks like someone may want his apple back", chuckled Preet.

A few days later...

Meher was collecting her things from her desk, and getting ready to go home, when her phone rang.

"Hey Meher!" Preet spoke excitedly from the other end.

"Hi stranger", smiled Meher. "This is a nice surprise. It seems like ages since I saw or heard from you".

"Yeah I know, I'm really sorry, but I've been working overtime and literally sleeping at the office all week", explained Preet.

"Yes I heard Sam complaining as such about Gaurav Bhaiya too", laughed Meher.

"Listen Meher, do you have access to a computer?" asked Preet. "I just emailed you something".

"Oh...okay...give me 5 minutes and I'll go down to the computer lab, then call you right back", said Meher.

Meher walked down to the computer lab, and logged onto her email account. Sure enough there was a message from Preet waiting for her. As she opened the link attached to the message, a commercial began to play.

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL95KNZIHAI[/YOUTUBE]

Meher quickly put on her headphones and began to watch. She could not help but break out into a wide grin as an all too familiar scenario played out before her. Minutes later she was on the phone with Preet again.

"Oh my God!" she said. "Preet it's..."

"It's you Meher. It's all you", said Preet. "I just took everything you told me about you and your dad and brought a little version of it to life. Mr. Bakshi, the Cadbury team...they really liked the family cookie concept I had come up with, but seeing it in an actual commercial form made a huge difference.

We made 3 different commercials featuring a father-son, a brother and sister, and then this one. Everyone loved them, especially this one. In fact it's the first one Cadbury is going to start running. They were so pleased that there was even talk about us handling some of their other products soon, and if the commercials make their mark with their intended audience, they promised to refer our firm to their other affiliates.

Mr. Bakshi couldn't stop singing our praises over the potential business we just brought in. It was just an amazing moment. You're the first person I called and shared the news with".

"Wow! You must be on cloud 9 Preet. I'm so happy for you...and so proud", smiled Meher.

"I couldn't have done it with out you Meher. You are my good luck charm", said Preet. "Listen...I still have some things to wrap up here at the office, and I have to call PB and tell him too. But I want you to clear your schedule for tonight. I'll pick you up around 7, then we'll go back to my place to celebrate. A little candle light...a little romance...just you...and me".

"Ooo", said Meher.

"I'll even make up for not seeing you this entire week by cooking you a 5 course meal", offered Preet.

"You cooking? That too 5 courses? This I've got to see", chuckled Meher.

"Well...give or take 2 or 3", said Preet.

"What were you planning to make?" asked Meher.

"Spaghetti", said Preet.

"That's more like give or take 4 courses", laughed Meher.

"Well I was going to pop open a box of ice cream for dessert", offered Preet.

"How about you pick me up half an hour earlier and we'll whip up some of our favorite dishes together?" suggested Meher.

"Sounds great", said Preet. "I missed your cooking".

"Ha! That's another reason why you love me Preet", giggled Meher. "You'd starve if I wasn't around".

Later that evening...

"It feels so good to see you again Meher and under much better circumstances", smiled Maya.

"It's really good to see you again too Maya", said Meher. "And I can't believe you're actually getting married!"

"The proof is in the diamond", laughed Maya, as she held up her left hand and showed Meher the sparkling diamond ring on her finger.

"It's beautiful", said Meher. "Oh! It feels so good to just sit and relax and chat like old times, especially after all the trouble Viren caused you on my account".

"Ugh!" interrupted Maya. "Please Meher...don't even bring up that creep's name. He totally lost it when you ran away. He had men standing outside our door during the day and then he'd come by every night and threaten to hurt me if I didn't disclose your location to him.

I kept on telling him I had no idea where you were but he refused to believe me. He started checking my phone calls, my mail. He even began stalking me wherever I went. It got to a point where I was constantly looking over my shoulder. I literaly had to disconnect not only my phone number but with almost everyone I knew and move back in with my mom. I felt like a complete hermit.

Then we heard about the news of Mr. Kashyap's accident and suddenly Viren disappeared. His phone calls, his men, his stalking behavior, everything just vanished. My mother was convinced he had something to do with the accident and went into hiding or something. Whatever it was...I was just relieved to get my life back".

"I'm so sorry Maya", said Meher. "You shouldn't have had to go through all that".

"It's okay Meher. It wasn't your fault. Thankfully I had my family to look out for me", said Maya. "I'm just so relieved to see that you're okay too. In fact you seem to be better than okay. I mean...you're teaching like you always wanted to. You've got such a nice place here, and you look genuinely happy. I only wish you hadn't moved so far away. I missed you. And I was so worried when we lost contact for a while, especially when the news of Mr. Kashyap's accident came out. That must have been really tough".

"It was", agreed Meher. "But fortunately I wasn't alone. I had some really good friends to stand by me and help me through it all".

"Friends or friend?" giggled Maya. "Imagine my surprise when you asked me to collect your certificates and send them to Preet Juneja's address in Mumbai. I mean you and Preet were actually living together! Goody 2 shoes Meher Maan actually living with a guy! Now that's something I thought I'd never live to see. And not just any guy...Preet Juneja! Like...whoa! How did that happened?"

"I'm still not sure myself", laughed Meher. "And trust me...it wasn't easy at first. But in time we each became a habit that neither one of us was willing to give up".

"Well I think it's wonderful", grinned Maya. "I always knew you 2 were meant to be. Speaking of which...how about you 2 joining Herman and me for dinner tonight?"

"Dinner?" said Meher. She quickly checked her watch. Oops! She thought. It was almost 7PM, she had been so wrapped up in catching up with Maya that she had forgotten about meeting Preet this evening.

"Maya, I completely forgot", said Meher. "I had plans with Preet tonight. His first major campaign was big hit with his clients, and he wanted to celebrate. In fact, he'll be here any minute".

"Fine, then we'll all go out and celebrate together. My engagement and Preet's campaign", smiled Maya.

"Lekin (but)..." said Meher.

"Oh come on Meher", said Maya. "I go back to Delhi tomorrow and who knows when I'll get to see you again...you can't say no. I'm sure Preet will understand".

Just then the doorbell rang.

"Speak of the devil", chuckled Maya.

Meher went to answer her door. Sure enough it was Preet

"Hello beautiful. God I really missed you", smiled Preet, as he handed Meher a bouquet of red roses, then slid an arm around her waist, pulled her close and gave her a kiss on her cheek. "Sorry I'm late, but the traffic was horrendous".

Meher's face turned pink, as she quickly pulled away from him. "Um...Preet...we're not alone", she whispered.

"We're not?" said Preet.

"Hi Preet remember me? Meher's friend...Maya" cried Maya as she joined them.

"Maya?" Preet said in surprise.

"Meher and I were just talking about you 2. But you know what they say...seeing is believing", said Maya. "Preet Juneja and Meher Maan...Ha! This is like...so fab!"

"Hello to you too Maya", said Preet, before taking Meher to one side. "Um...Meher...were we expecting Maya?"

"She's getting married", explained Meher. "Her fiance was coming into Mumbai on business for the weekend and she decided to tag along. We were just catching up on old times. We've also been invited to join them for dinner. She's going back tomorrow, and won't take no for an answer, so I guess we'll sort of have to change our plans. I hope you don't mind".

Before Preet could answer, Meher's doorbell rang again. She went to answer it and was surprised to see Sam and Gaurav standing there.

"Hi Meher", Sam said excitedly. "See Gaurav...I told you Preet would be here too. Listen...we were going out to celebrate and wanted to know if you and Preet would like to join us. Actually you guys are our closest friends and we had some special news we wanted to share...We're going to have a baby!"

"What!" cried Meher. "Oh my God Sam that's wonderful news!"

"Congratz man", said Preet as he hugged his friend.

"Thanks buddy", smiled Gaurav. "It's been one amazing day".

Meher introduced Maya to Gaurav and Sam. With so much good news afloat the cheerful group readily agreed to go out and celebrate together. Preet glanced over at Meher and gave her a small smile, but she could read the disappointment on his face on having his plans with her cancelled. Just then her phone rang.

"Hello", said Meher, but no one answered. "Hello?"

"Who's that?" asked Maya, as she walked up to her friend.

"I don't know", said Meher. "There doesn't seem to be anyone on the line".

"Well then let's go", urged Maya. "Herman is waiting for us".

Later...

Preet, Meher, Gaurav and Sam joined Maya and her fiance Herman for dinner. Although the men occasionally remarked about the economy and politics, light-hearted banter about Maya's upcoming nuptials and Sam's baby announcement dominated the conversation at the table. After dinner the couples moved onto the dance floor.

"What a night", Meher chattered excitedly, as she and Preet danced. "First your news about the campaign being a hit, then Maya's engagement, and now Sam and Gaurav are going to have a baby! I'm going to be an auntie! Isn't it all so wonderful?"

"Hmm", Preet said thoughtfully. He smiled with his gaze fixed on her face. "I guess it is".

"You've been awfully quiet tonight though", complained Meher.

"Meher...we were at a table with 3 excited women talking about weddings and babies. How did you possibly expect me to get in a word edgewise?" chuckled Preet.

"Are you sure you're not upset about coming here?" asked Meher. "I know you had made special plans for us tonight...and I don't want you to think I forgot about your achievement, but these are our friends. It's nice to be there for them in their moment of happiness too".

"Hmm", grinned Preet. "I guess it is".

"What's so funny?" asked Meher. Preet had been staring at her all evening.

"Nothing", smiled Preet, as he pulled her closer to him and looked into her eyes. "I just love to see you smile".

Meher looked away from Preet and bit her lower lip in an effort to control her smile. She hoped her face didn't look as flushed as it felt.

"Aw...the love birds. I hope I'm not interrupting anything", said Maya, as she suddenly appeared behind Meher.

"Maya!" cried Meher, as she rolled her eyes. "It's not polite to sneak up on people".

"I was not sneaking", protested Maya. "I was on my way to the powder room. Waise (by the way) Meher you should see yourself, you're as red as a tomato. Care to join me?"

"You haven't changed one bit have you Maya", sighed Meher.

"Go ahead Meher", chuckled Preet. "I'll wait for you back at our table".

"So...just how serious is it between you guys?" asked Maya, as she watched Preet walk away. "I mean the way Preet was looking at you was so intense. Has he popped the question yet?"

"Maya!" cried Meher. Before she could say anything further, her cell phone rang. It was a number she did not recognize. "Hello?" she answered. But there was no one on the other line. Must have been a wrong number, she thought. Meher shook her head and followed her chattering friend to the ladies room.

Maya was still talking non-stop when they returned. As they made their way back to their table Meher suddenly froze in her tracks.

"And so I was saying...", said Maya as she turned to look at Meher. "Meher? What's wrong?"

"Over there", whispered Meher, as she pointed to one side of the room. "I think I just saw...Viren".

"What?!" cried Maya, as she quickly looked around. "I don't see anyone. Are you sure it was him?"

Meher looked through the crowded room again, but saw no one she recognized. "I don't know", she said, unsure of herself. "He's not there now, but I could almost swear I saw someone who looked just like him".

"Or maybe he's roaming around in your head because we were talking about him earlier", suggested Maya.

"You're probably right", said Meher, as she passed her hand nervously over her face. Just then someone placed a hand on her shoulder making her jump in surprise.

"Whoa! Meher relax it's just me", said Preet. "What's wrong? Are you alright?" he asked as he saw her exhale in relief.

"She thinks she may have seen Viren?" explained Maya.

"Viren? Where?" frowned Preet as he looked around the room.

"I don't know for sure if it was him", said Meher. "It's probably just a case of mistaken identity...you know...my imagination working over time".

"Well you have nothing to worry about Meher", said Preet, as he placed a protective arm around her shoulder. "You're not alone now".

"Thanks", Meher smiled nervously. "Um...Preet...it's getting late, and I'm afraid I'm no longer in much of a celebrating kind of mood. Maybe we should head home now".

"Sure", said Preet. He and Meher said their good-byes to their friends and headed for his car.

Later...

Meher sat in the car lost in thought, when Preet snapped his fingers before her. "A penny for your thoughts", he smiled. "You're not still thinking about Viren are you?"

Meher shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Just the sound of Viren's name was making her cringe. "Oh...um...no...I was just thinking...it probably wasn't him anyway", she stammered. "Well...what if it was him? I mean...why would he show up here now when everything is going so well. Ugh! I hate him for getting me so worked up like this".

"Meher calm down. I told you before, he can't hurt you. You're not alone now", said Preet, as he placed his hand reassuringly on Meher's. "Hey I have an idea. How about if we go back to my place? It's a Friday night. Neither one of us have to go into work tomorrow. And although we had a nice evening with our friends, we didn't really get a chance to have any time alone to ourselves.

We also didn't have any dessert. And I've got a brand new box of ice cream just waiting to be opened. Of course the alternative would be to drop you home and let you drive yourself nuts wondering whether or not it really was Viren you saw. Your choice".

"An unopened box of ice cream eh?" said Meher.

"Rocky road", chuckled Preet.

They had almost reached Preet's building when his car suddenly began to lose acceleration. Preet pulled over to one side as his car came to a stop. "What wrong with this car now?" He wondered out loud. He exited the vehicle, opened up the hood and looked around. "Damn. I'm not sure but it looks like there's something wrong with the fan belt", he said.

"Matlab (meaning)?" asked Meher.

"Matlab...we'll have to walk the rest of the way", sighed Preet. "Luckily we're only 2 blocks away".

"It's okay Preet", smiled Meher. "It'll be nice to walk for a change".

Preet and Meher had just begun walking when it started to drizzle. It wasn't raining heavily, but it was enough to get them soaked by the time they reached Preet's building.

"Still enjoyed the walk?" laughed Preet, as they entered his apartment.

"Yes", smiled Meher. "And for once I didn't even mind the rain".

"We better change out of these clothes", suggested Preet. "You can help yourself to anything in my wardrobe. You know where everything is. I'll go change in the washroom".

Meher searched through Preet's closet, until she found what she was looking for, his favorite T-shirt and pajamas. Perfect, she decided, as she brought the clothes close to her face and inhaled his scent, and giggled to herself remembering just how many times they had fought over these very set of clothes.

A short while later...

Preet entered his room carrying 2 small bowls of ice cream and saw Meher standing before the dressing table. She had taken her hair down and let it float around her shoulders, and was using a towel to dry out the wet portion. He leaned against the door frame and a satisfied grin appeared on his face as he silently admired her beauty.

Just then Meher caught Preet's reflection in the mirror. He was staring at her in the same manner he had been doing all night. The butterflies in her stomach came in full force.

"Preet? How long have you been standing there?" she asked.

"Not long", he said, as he pushed himself from the door way and slowly walked over to where she stood. He placed the ice cream on the dressing table, then slid his arms around Meher's waist from behind and buried his face in her hair. Lilacs, he thought, as he breathed in her scent. She always smelled of lilacs...fresh, sweet and innocent.

"Preet...", giggled Meher, as his lips gently brushed against her neck, and his warm breath tickled her ear.

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Preet suddenly spun her around to face him. "You smell so good", he said. He brought his face closer to hers and leaned in to kiss her, but Meher playfully pushed his face to one side instead, laughing as she tried to walk off.

Preet smiled at her gentle reprimand, and caught her as she passed him. He pulled her back into his arms, and held her tight against his chest. "You think that's funny eh?" he said as he stuck 2 fingers into her side and began tickling her.

"Preet stop!" Meher squeaked as she doubled over in a fit of laughter.

Preet continued to tickle her until they both fell onto the bed laughing and trying to catch their breaths. He then raised his head and smiled at her. "I love you Meher", he said, before leaning in the remaining distance and kissing her. His kiss was deliberately slow and gentle at first, but the softness of her lips, the sweetness of her scent that filled his lungs, and the warmth of her touch led him to deepen it, and a sense of urgency began to mingle in with the tenderness.

Meher felt her heart pounding like a hammer, as his hands slid down her back pulling her closer to him. She wrapped her arms around him as he held her close and began to work his way down her neck.

"O-O-kay!" she said, gasping for breath, as she broke away from him and sat up abruptly. "Whatever happened to the ice cream? I'm sure it's all melted by now".

"Oh come on Meher! Ice cream?" said Preet. He rolled onto his back and lay on the bed for a moment, annoyed with the sudden change in her behavior. "You want ice cream...now?!"

"Well...yes...", Meher chuckled nervously. "That is why we came back here...Isn't it?"

"Meher...", began Preet, as he held his head with his hand.

"Of course if you're no longer in the mood for ice cream...you can always take me home", said Meher.

Preet sat up and looked closely at Meher. He smiled as her gaze met his then dropped to her feet and a delicate flush covered her cheeks.

"Meher...I'm sorry", he said softening his tone. "I guess I got a little carried away".

"It's okay...", Meher whispered, as she stood up quietly. "But I think perhaps you should take me home".

"I've got a better idea", said Preet. He interwined his fingers with hers and pulled gently, making her fall back on the bed with him, with her hair falling to either side of his face. "How about if you stay with me tonight?"

Meher only watched him in silence with a look of uncertainty in her eyes.

Preet smiled again. "I promise we won't do anything you don't want to", he said. "Dharti Ma ki kasam".

"That's what I'm afraid of", sighed Meher, as she hit him playfully on his chest.

Preet laughed as he reached up and kissed her cheek. He then rolled onto his back again taking her with him. With his arms linked lightly at her waist, he seemed content just to hold her close, savoring the moment. Meher leaned against him finding comfort in his embrace, and the soothing effect of the steady beating of his heart.

"I could get used this you know", said Preet.

"Me too", smiled Meher. "Me too". She was suddenly feeling exhausted and raised her hand to stifle a yawn.

"Looks like its time for someone to get some sleep", chuckled Preet.

Meher gave him a sheepish smile, before closing her eyes, and it wasn't long before she was lost in a deep contented sleep held safely in Preet's strong arms.

aww... Lovely part..

Viren.. I guess he did have to come back to give his character some closure... I am assuming that the miss calls were him. It's just I was hoping he would've left just like Rishab had left in the show.. viewers had no idea where he went.. As long as the guests aren't Viren. Maybe Prem decided to stop by? And does this mean that Harman is not Preet's brother? You might've mentioned it before but I don't remember...

What a "busy" episode. 😊

Originally posted by: lunza

aww... Lovely part..

The Oreo ad bit was such a cute addition..

Visitors? I hope it isnt Viren and his goons...

Originally posted by: brainychild92

Viren.. I guess he did have to come back to give his character some closure... I am assuming that the miss calls were him. It's just I was hoping he would've left just like Rishab had left in the show.. viewers had no idea where he went.. As long as the guests aren't Viren. Maybe Prem decided to stop by? And does this mean that Harman is not Preet's brother? You might've mentioned it before but I don't remember...

Thanks for the pm! Loved reading this part!

Originally posted by: suan

What a "busy" episode. 😊

So much good news.😛

I was half expecting Preet to propose to Meher, with all the love in the air. 😉

I think he wanted to but as you said things got very busy. Perhaps a proposal is just around the corner.

I'm so happy Preet's career is taking off.

However, Meher's life seems to be heading for danger. 😳

I hope there isn't anything serious, when things are just coming together for Meet.

Ah...life! If only it were free from complications. 🤔

Waiting for the next chapter. 😊

you know that you are amazing...

Originally posted by: hangok

you know that you are amazing...

im really happy to saw an update today,

it brings everytime a smile too see MEET so happy...

oww the ad from preet was soo sweet...

im sure that it was viren whom meher saw, i jusst hope he doesnt create any problems for MEET...

thank you for this great part