Posted:
I know the update's extremely late 😳 once again but my exams just ended today and I finally had the time to post it.
This part is dedicated to all my lovely readers, for being ever-so patient. It really means a lot to me that you all are still interested in this FF despite me slacking of with the updates. Thanks so much!
Now, I don't want to keep you all waiting any longer, here's the next part i.e. Part 19 which may I add I haven't 😛 proof read. But I tried to make it as long as possible! I'm writing the next part as we speak and I promise I'll post it asap....that's the best I can do 😆. Don't forget to comment be it negative or positive feedback.
Heer rummaged through her handbag in search of her mobile phone and upon finding it began dialing the code for Canada followed by the number of Kulraaj di's residence. There was no answer at the other end and so a frustrated Heer tried again and then again until finally a panting Gunjan picked up.
Heer heard her squeaky little voice on the other end of the phone whisper a brief "Hello" which immediately brought a smile to her face.
However, Heer soon realized the main reason behind her phoning and instead of an expected casual conversation, she attacked the young girl with question after question. An astonished Gunjan requested for her aunt to slow down "Uff Heer Maami, itne sawaal!" she cutely complained.
Once Heer realized what she had done, she apologized politely and inquired about Kulraaj's whereabouts just as Kulraaj herself entered the room wanting to know who it was on the phone.
"Mum! Its Heer Maami" Gunjan politely explained and then left the room after handing the cordless phone to her mother.
"Hello Heer!" Kulraaj excitedly greeted.
"Hi Di.....aap kaisi hain? Theek se pohunch to gaye the na aap sab?" Heer asked casually in an attempt to make conversation. She didn't want to repeat the same mistake she had earlier and raise suspicions at this stage, now did she?
"Are haan....main toh phone karna hi bhool gayi. Hum sab sayi salaamat pohunch gaye the ab khush? Now, tell me, is this why you phoned?" she asked rather baffled by the thought.
Heer struggled with herself whether or not to reveal what she had seen earlier to Kulraaj di but eventually decided against it following her heart as she did so "Yes this is why I phoned. You know me, don't you? Acha toh di, Kiran jeeju kahaan hain? Unki woh meeting hogayi kya?" she casually questioned.
"Uhh...Kiran....haan....woh meeting toh kab ki hogayi....abhi to office seh waapis nayi aye lekin ane waale honge which reminds me, I've yet to make dinner. Theek hai Heer.....toh main baad mein phone karti hoon. Give my love to everyone and take care of both Prem and yourself okay? Bye!" she bid adieu.
"Acha di....you too.....Gunjan ka khayaal rakhna Kul di and don't scold her too much!" Heer too gave up. If she was to ask anymore questions, Kulraaj would realize something was amiss.
Heer entered her uncle and aunt's home only to be enveloped into a hug by her bubbly younger sister. She then went on to say hello to her Chacha who too warmly embraced her but her Chachi greeted her not so lovingly and instead passed a rather rude remark discreetly which Heer chose to ignore seeing as there was already too much on her mind.
"Main Maa se milke aati hoon" she said.
"Haan haan jao jao beta.....tumhara hi toh ghar hai" Daljeet taunted.
But before Meher or anyone for that matter could say anything, Heer took her sister's hand and they hurried away to Teji's room.
The rest of the day she spent with her mom and sister as they re-lived old memories nostalgically and Heer continuously avoided any questions tossed at her about her so called married life which was in turmoil.
Kiran argued profusely with the tall, well built yet gorgeous woman sat before him in the quiet, serene cafe surrounded by very few people which consisted of a curious Heer who sat afar disguised and watched intently. It was extremely difficult to hear what was going on despite the fact that the two were at each other's throat literally. As they continued to bicker, Heer shifted in her sear uncomfortably. What on earth was going on here? So far she had picked up the following words "mera beta", "don't you dare!", "kidhar hai?" but this wasn't enough to make sense and this definitely wasn't the right time to make assumptions. But before Heer could discover anymore, Kiran was paying the bill for their untouched coffee and the two were exiting the cafe. Although at the time, Heer wanted to rush out and follow the couple closely, it would be too obvious and could possibly raise suspicions. Besides, it was about time she returned home. It had been an hour since she had left her chacha's place and if at all anyone had bothered to check on her from her sasuraal, then they would most definitely be concerned about her whereabouts as it took a mere 15 minutes to reach the Juneja Mansion from her current location.
Soon after Heer too left the cafe rather sneakily and found that Kiran was still quarreling with that young woman in his car. She found it to be of no use to stay back and watch and so left quietly before anyone could see her.
"Listen Sana! I've had enough of this. You can't stop me from seeing my SON!" Kiran shouted.
Sana replied just as fiercely "Of-course I can. Kab se mujhe ignore karte arahe ho tum. I can't take anymore Kiran! I would never have given birth to Amar if I had any idea that you were going to refuse to give him your name."
"What do you expect me to do? I'm a married man. I have a wife and daughter" he questioned helplessly.
"Oh so I see.....its all about Kulraaj and Gunjan now eh? Fine! Have it your way.....but can you really bear to see people refer to Amar as illegitimate? Do I really mean nothing to you? Was it just a one night fling for you? You never loved me and it seems as if you don't care for Amar either and so until and unless you don't promise to give our relationship a name, I will not let you anywhere near Amar! Now I hope that's understood Kiran. Don't pester me with your constant calls anymore and I can very well make my own way home!" she finished as she slammed the car door behind her.
Kiran had no idea what to do! He rested his head on the steering wheel for a while in order to clear his head. He had already delayed his return to Canada for long enough. Although it had just been a day, both Kulraaj and Gunjan had flooded his phone with calls. He couldn't possibly keep them in the dark any longer. But nor could he leave India without meeting his new born baby, Amar whom he hadn't set eyes on yet and also sorting things out with Sana which wasn't easy at all. Nonetheless, for now he had to find a place to stay as far as possible from anyone he knew and so Kiran made his way to a five star hotel on the outskirts of Ludhiana which was also very close to the airport.
"Are Heer tum, agaayi? Itna time kahaan lag gaya tha beta? Wahaan sab theek toh tha na?" Gayatri welcomed her daughter-in-law.
"Ji Maa....bas waqt ka pata hi nayi chala. Aur aap bilkul fikr mat karein, udhar sab theek hai" Heer lied to her face despite not wanting to.
"Kya? Lekin maine toh ghanta pehle phone kiya tha aur Meher ne bataya ke tum kab ki nikal chuki ho. Itni deir kahaan lag gayi thi Heer? Prem nayi leine aya kya?" she worriedly asked.
Heer made up the most obvious excuse on the spot "Haan woh Prem ko shayad koi zaroori kaam yaad agaya tha, I came by bus aur aapko toh pata hi hai, how the transport in Ludhiana can be sometimes!"
Gayatri didn't approve of this at all. How could Prem be so careless? Letting Heer come home alone, that too on Public Transport. She was no longer just Heer Mann but instead Mrs. Heer Prem Juneja, their bahu and most importantly responsibility. Such carelessness would no longer be approved of and Gayatri felt she ought to make it as clear as possible once her son returned from another late night at the office.
"Acha beta tum jaake araam karlo, khaana lagne mein abhi deir hai" she advised.
Heer offered to help make dinner but Gayatri disapproved. She was already looking exhausted as it was and doing household chores for which they already had highly trained staff would do nothing but tire her more. Hence, Heer retired to her room whilst Gayatri left for the kitchen to see how dinner was getting on. Tonight's meal had to be extra special since tomorrow her dear children would be returning to Canada leaving just her, Lalit, Prem and Heer behind.
Sampoorna
Bindi
