FF: Ek Paal...Epilogue pg45 Oct 8 09 - Page 30

Tu Meri Zindagi Hai

Tu meri zindagi hai

Tu meri har kushi hai

Tu hi pyaar tu hi chahat

Tu hi ashiqui hai

Pehli mohabbat ka ehsaah hai tu

Bujhke ke joh bujh naa paya

Voh pyaas hai tu

Tu hi meri pehli khawwish

Tu hi aakhri hai

Tu meri zindagi hai

Tu meri haar kushi hai

Tu meri zindagi hai

Tu meri har kushi hai hai

Tu hi pyaar tu hi chahat

Tu hi ashiqui hai

Malibu, CA: Malibu Library (outside) 6:00am – Next Day

Prem and Heer both sat on top of a little cement bench right outside the Malibu Library off of Pacific Coast Highway. After Prem's proposal the night before they had not gone home. Instead they spent the night reliving a moment that meant the world to both of them…the night they had first met. They had walked the beach and the pier. They had ridden the rollercoaster and had churros and frozen yogurt to eat. Finally, they had driven along PCH until they ended up at the spot where they had said goodbye so many years ago.

The memory was bitter sweet for both of them. On one hand it was painful because it had been where they had said goodbye to each other after one magical night. However, it was also the place where they were both embedded in each others minds, hearts and souls. It was ironic that they had finally come back where it had all ended only to start anew.

They had just spent the night sitting on the bench talking to each other, feeling each others warmth and love, and finally just being together. Prem and Heer had just watched the moon illuminate the night, the stars twinkle in amusement, and they had listened to the waves that came crashing onto the shore just below them. They had been so engrossed in each other and the moment that neither of them had realized when they had fallen asleep. Heer had her head resting on Prem's shoulder and she was cuddled up into the warmth of his body. Prem had one arm around Heer as if holding her to him in fear that she may not be there when he woke up. He also had his head resting gently on top of his Heera's. Lucky for the both of them, when they had come out to sit last night they pulled a blanket out of Prem's trunk and had wrapped it around their shoulders.

Prem was the first one that had stirred awake that morning. Opening his eyes he saw the sun making its appearance for the new day just ahead of him. He wanted to stretch but couldn't when he felt a weight leaning against his body. Turning to his right he saw his Heera sleeping just like an angel as she held on to him. A smile broke on Prem's face as all the happenings of the previous night rushed back into his working memory. Not being able to resist himself he placed a kiss on top of Heer's head.

Heer stirred when she felt something on her head that sent an odd yet welcome sensation through her body. Heer had began to stir herself awake when she felt a warm wall that kept her from moving. As she opened her eyes and looked up, she was pleasantly surprised to see Prem's staring back at her. For a moment she was bewildered and not able to figure out what they were doing or where they were. The smile on Prem's face brought an automatic smile to hers. It was only a few seconds later that her smile deepened and she blushed slightly as she remembered the night they had shared.

Heer looked down at her left hand almost half expecting the ring not to be there; one part of her was sure that it had all been a dream last night. Heer felt elation when she saw the exquisite ring glimmering back at her. As she stared at the ring Prem intertwined his hand in hers.

"Good morning soon-to-be-Mrs. Heer Prem Jhuneja," he said.

Heer couldn't help but giggle as she said, "Good morning."

"You know," Prem continued, "I could really get used to waking up like this every morning. I think I'm going to love waking up next to you."

"Well you keep thinking," Heer teased, "I'm absolutely positive that I am going to love waking up next to you for the rest of my life."

Heer pushed herself up just a bit and placed a sweet, soft kiss on Prem's lips.

"Hmm…I know I'm going to love waking up next to you if you wake me up like that every morning," Prem said.

Heer cuddled more into his chest as she blushed. Prem knew his Heera was shy so he just pulled her in closer and held her. They both stayed silent as the watched the sunrise over the horizon of the ocean. After another half hour of just holding each other Prem and Heer decided it was time to go home; they not only had to get freshened up, but Heer had so share her engagement news with Meher and Nancy.

"We should really get going," Heer said.

"Yeah," Prem said as he patted his coat for his keys. "Wait, sit back down," Prem instructed.

"What? Why?" Heer asked confused.

"Please, you will see soon," Prem pleaded.

Not having any other choice Heer sat back down on the bench. Much to her shock she watched as Prem kneeled down in front of her again.

"Umm, Mr. Jhuneja, in case you have forgotten…you proposed to me last night," Heer teased.

"Lift up your sari," he instructed.

"Huh?" Heer said, or more groaned.

"Lift up your sari, just up to your shins," he repeated.

"Prem?"

"Heera please," he said.

"What are you doing?" Heer asked as she did what she was told to do.

Using both her hands she lifted her sari up just above her shins exposing her ankles. Heer let out a small gasp as she saw anklet Meher and Nancy had given her. The shock wasn't due to how beautiful it was, the shock was due to the fact that she recognized the anklet. The fact was that it wasn't an anklet at all, it was a payal.

What Prem did next shocked Heer even more and left her speechless. Prem put his hand inside his coat and pulled out something. At first Heer didn't recognize the silver colored metal object in his hand. However, when Prem held it up to her, Heer felt like she was in an alternate reality.

The payal that Meher had put on her had been Heer's own payal. It had been a payal that was part of a set, one of which Heer had lost years ago, but she didn't know where. Since she had stopped wearing the payal because it's other half was missing. Heer could have gotten rid of it but she didn't; instead she had kept the payal in a box at the back of her dresser. Heer believed that the payal was in some form a representation of her. In her mind that payal represented her extraordinary night with Prem at the pier years ago. She had lost the payal that night and in some sense she had lost herself to Prem as well. So she packed up the payal and all it represented – her love, her free spirit, her magical moments – and pushed it out of her life. To say that Heer was stunned when Prem pulled out the missing payal was an understatement.

"Prem…where…where did you get this?" she asked as she stuttered.

"The girl who stole my heart and the girl that I love had left it behind years ago in my car," Prem said as he clasped the payal around Heer's other ankle.

"All these years, you had this?" Heer asked.

"Yup, all these years…it kept me connect to our night and to you," he said and he rose to his feet and kissed her.

Now Heer realized why she had never been able to get rid of the solitary payal. Her heart knew that one day the matching pair would be found. It was prefect…everything was perfect.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

- 3 Months Later –

Santa Monica, CA: Santa Monica Pier 1:00PM

It had been three months sine Prem had proposed to Heer at this very spot. It had been three months of frustration, planning, stress and fatigue. However, it had also been three months of joy, laughter, happiness and fun. Heer had spent the last three months planning her wedding with the help of Nancy and Meher. They had been to so many banquet halls, so many cake/food tastings, so many florists, so many designers…so many everything! The three people who were inseparable at all times were then at each others throats with clashing ideas on how the wedding should be done, where it should be done, what kind of cake they wanted; everyone had an opinion about everything.

However, after hours, day and months of planning…the big day was finally here. At first Heer didn't think that it was going to happen because every place they called was booked for the next year; as one site manager told her, rushed weddings were not in fashion. It had been Nancy who had suggested that they get married on the beach by the pier. Prem and Heer loved the idea, but Heer was afraid that it wouldn't be possible; after all it was a public beach. However, Prem Jhuneja could get anything done and for his Heera nothing was too hard or impossible.

So now everything was set for their beach front wedding. The caterers were set and preparing the food. Prem and Heer had both decided that they would have a traditional Indian wedding since they both had strong ties to their background. The mandap was set off to one side decorated beautifully with traditional marigolds and roses. The holy fire was burning as the pundit chanted the holy hymns. The chairs were all laced with white carnations and roses. The famous pole was even decorated with flowers. There were large torches that outlined the entire wedding area, which were going to be used at night for the reception. Along the edge of the wedding area were a few tents; one was for Heer and the girls to get ready in, one was for Prem and his guys, the other was for the guests who didn't want to wait out in the sun.

"I think we should go with the red," said Meher as she came towards the area where Nancy was helping Heer get ready.

"No, no! The red is too strong and bold. I say we go with something glittery and shiny," Nancy said.

"Yeah, so that my sister can look a drag queen!" Meher yelled. "No offence Didi," she said as she stood next to Heer.

They girls were in their tent getting ready for the wedding. They decided that it would be best to do it that way because then they wouldn't have to worry about travel time and they wouldn't have the hassle of running around LA in a bridal gown. At this point they had begun arguing about the color and type of lipstick/lipgloss that Heer should wear. Nancy and Meher were nearly yelling at the top of their lungs.

"This…right here, this is why not one…but three wedding planners quit," said someone.

The girls stopped their arguing and turned to see that it was none other than Marco, Nancy's brother. Marco walked in with a bunch of orchids that were supposed to be for Heer's hair. Unlike Nancy and Meher, who were strictly on the bride's side, Marco was a bit of both. Marco had always been like a brother to Heer ever since her friendship with Nancy had begun. He had become extremely protective, more so when he had realized what was happening with Manmeet and her. However, this time Marco was on the groom's side. Prem did have friends out here in So-Cal but he had a unique bond with Marco. From the moment they met they got along great, but that was probably because both Prem and Marco wanted to kill Manmeet and then dump in body in the ocean for the sharks to eat. Many times they could be heard plotting Manmeet's 'murder'. So for today's occasion he was standing in as Prem's best man.

"Excuse me," wailed Nancy, "…who asked for your opinion?"

"Yeah, I don't remember asking," Meher said, "Besides, aren't you supposed to be in the other tent?"

"I am but I had to bring these for Heer as instructed by Prem," Marco said, "Since we couldn't get orchid out here I had to drive out to the valley to get them."

"Oh Marco, that is so sweet, thank you," Heer said.

"That was very thoughtful," Meher said.

"Why?" Nancy questioned with a raised eyebrow, "You are never that considerate."

"Hey, anything for Heer," Marco said as he hugged her. "Besides, it's a best mans duty to fulfill the grooms every wish."

"Yeah, that's what I thought…no way this was your idea," Nancy remarked as she returned to arguing with Meher about the lipstick.

"Will you two please stop arguing," Heer pleaded, "I was thinking…" Heer had began to speak but no one paid any attention to her.

"And you wonder why so many wedding planners walked out on you," Marco said, "With these two; anyone would go running for the hills. That explains why they are still single."

That was it, that is all it took to get Nancy and Meher to stop arguing. They both looked at Marco as if they were going to eat him alive. They then grabbed the first thing they could find and threw it at Marco's head. Marco ducked out just in time and missed getting hit by a water bottle and compact face powder. Suddenly you heard someone yelling outside the tent; this caused Heer to stand up and everyone turned towards the opening.

"Bhaia stop!" yelled a female voice.

As soon as Meher and Nancy heard 'Bhaia' they knew who it was. The Meher pushed Heer to that her back was to the entrance and then grabbed Marco to crate a barrier around Heer. They hid Heer just in the nick of time because in walked Prem with his sister, Veera trailing behind. Veera had flown in from London for the wedding.

"Sorry," Veera said, "I stepped out for one second and he flew the coop."

"What is this Jiju? You know dulha cannot see dulhan before the wedding," Meher said annoyed.

"You all are so unreasonable!" Prem protested. "I haven't seen Heera for three days! Three days! This is torture."

"Bhaia, didn't Mom always say, 'sabar ka phal humesha meeta hota hai'," Veera teased."

"In English please," Nancy said.

"There is an Indian saying that says that the fruits of patience are always sweet," said Meher.

"Hey, you are my best man, what are you doing here?" Prem asked when he finally saw Marco.

"I brought Heer her orchids," Marco defended himself.

"Oh," Prem said.

"Thank you," came Heer's voice, soft and sweet.

"Oh come on, let me see her…just one glance!" Prem begged; it was almost like hearing Heer's voice was too much for him.

"Nope! No can do Jiju. Now you get out," Meher instructed.

"I won't leave, what will you do?" Prem said as he stood his ground.

"Heer will you tell you shameless fianc to leave," Nancy said.

"It's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding, I think you should go," Heer said.

"But Heera…" Prem began.

"Please," Heer pleaded.

Prem let out a very audible sigh, "Ok fine, I'm going." As he walked towards the door with Veera he said, "I love you!"

"Aww so sweet, not get out before I gag!" Nancy yelled.

Prem finally left with Veera and soon Marco followed.

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It was almost time for the wedding to take place as Nancy and Meher were putting the final touches on Heer. She looked gorgeous and perfect; all they had to do was secure the dupatta to her head. Just as the ceremony was about to begin Veera and Marco walked in pushing two wheelchairs that had Heer's parents. Immediately Heer's eyes became flooded with tears that she tried to hold back.

"I thought you'd want to take Mom and Dad's blessing before," Meher explained.

Heer went over and hugged Meher before she went to her parents and took their blessing. A few minutes later Marco and Veera took Mr. and Mrs. Maan back out to the wedding party. Meher announced that it was time for them to go because the wedding was ready to start.

--------------------

There was a sudden lull that fell on the guests that had been chatting away seconds ago. Prem looked up and was left speechless as he watched Nancy and Meher escort Heer towards the mandap. Heer was dressed in a red and white bridal outfit. She looked stunning, beautiful; there weren't enough words to describe just how magical she looked. Prem watched dazed as Heer sat next to him. He wanted to reach out and touch her to make sure it wasn't a dream and he almost had touched her, had it not been for the smack he got on his hand from Marco, Nancy and Meher.

Prem had flashes of their first meeting right there at the pier. The night they had met he had found her in a red ghagra right after her engagement. That night she had been crying and upset. Today she was happy and smiling. That night she had left him for another man. Today, she was finally going to become his forever.

The pundit read the holy mantras and preformed the wedding. Prem put the black beaded mangulsutra around Heer's delicate neck. He took a pinch of sindoor and filled Heer's mang with the color. As they took their pheres around the sacred fire the both pledged their lives, their love, their faith, their loyalty and their fidelity to each other.

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The celebrations went on well into the night. Heer and Prem hadn't been able to spend too much time together after the wedding was completed. They had taken the blessing from Heer's parents; that had been the last time they were within 10 feet of each other. Nancy, Meher and Veera were all hell bent on keeping Prem away from Heer; it was their way of making him pay for trying to see her before the wedding. Prem was frustrated while Marco laughed at the entire situation. Prem and Heer had been able to enjoy their first dance together but then again they were pulled apart.

Prem was looking forward to the night that waited for him as he drove to the Beverly Hills Hilton with Marco. He thought he would be driving with Heer but the girls had taken her and left 30 minutes before Prem had left the beach. Once Prem stepped out of the elevator he could see Meher, Nancy and Veera waiting outside the door of his and Heer's honeymoon sweet with greedy smiles on their faces. Prem tried to get past them but it did no good.

"What do you guys want?" he asked irritated.

"Not much Jiju, just $2,000," Meher said.

"What?! Why?!" Prem asked.

"Well, if you want to see you beautiful wife, you have to pay the fee," Nancy teased.

"Hell no!" Prem said.

"Come on Bhaia, you can't pay up $6, 000 for Bhabi? How sad," Veera teased.

"$6,000?!" Marco yelled.

"Yeah, $2,000 each," Nancy clarified.

"You have to admit Jiju, Didi looked awesome, the wait paid off," Meher said.

"Yeah, she did," Prem said with a dreamy look in his eyes. "Ok fine, you will all have your checks at lunch tomorrow. Now can I go and see my WIFE?" Prem asked.

"Ok, go ahead Bhaia," Veera said.

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Prem walked into a room that didn't look like a hotel room, it looked like something out of a fairytale. It was decorated with candles all over that illuminated the room. Flowers were tossed all across the floor. The bed was decorated with flowers from floor to ceiling. There in the middle sat is wife, his Heera. Prem couldn't believe that their night had finally come. Prem took a few steps and sat down on the bed next to Heer.

"Heera," he called.

Heer was too shy and nervous so she said nothing. Prem then slowly lifted up her ghungat and exposed her face. Against the glow of the candles Heer looked almost mythical.

"You look beautiful," Prem said in a whisper.

"I love you," Heer said.

"Oh Heera, I love you too," Prem said.

Prem pulled Heer closer and kissed her forehead, her eyes, her cheeks, her nose and then finally her lips. As soon as their lips met a fire was ignited in them both. Prem gently removed her dupatta from her hair. One piece at a time Prem removed Heer's jewelry; starting with her earrings, bindi, necklace and then her bangles. In is state or arousal he had begun to remover her mangulsutra but was immediately stopped by Heer's shaking hands. She gently shook her head in the negative indicating that she wanted that to stay on. Prem felt a rush of pride and honor at that moment so he bent down and placed a kiss on the mangulsutra and her collar bone.

Before he commenced tormenting his wife Prem took a moment to undo the buttons on his kurta and chucked it aside leaving him with a bare chest. As soon as she saw this, Heer became shy and turned her back towards Prem, she didn't want him to see her face turning 100 shades of read.

Prem sensed Heer's shyness, so instead of trying to get her to face him again he began to tease her. Heer's blouse was completely backless with only a handful of strings holding it together. One my one he undid the strings and placed kisses all along her back as he worked his way through. Every time his lips contacted her silky skin, Prem felt Heer shudder; seeing her respond to his touches was wreaking havoc on his senses. He slowly pushed the blouse off her shoulders but Heer still held the fabric close to her chest. Taking his time, Prem released one pin after another from her hair causing it to slowly cascade down one curl at a time. Soon her glorious, raven black hair was resting loosely on her bare back.

Prem put his hands on Heer's shoulders, this time he pushed gently and turned her around. Heer couldn't look at him directly and still held her blouse to her chest as if it was her life line. Prem leaned into the crock of her neck and began placing tantalizing kisses all over her neck. Over come with pleasure Heer leaned her head back allowing him more access and let out a small moan.

Enough was enough, Prem couldn't take anymore…he had to see her. He slowly dragged the blouse off of Heer and saw her squeeze her eyes tight. Heer suddenly threw herself at him and hugged him for dear life. Prem's mind and body went wild with a new awakening as they touched bare skin to bare skin for the first time.

After a few seconds Prem thought he was dreaming when he felt Heer's feather like kisses on his chest. As the initial shock wore off he realized that her hands were also roaming all over his back. Prem couldn't take it anymore, he would go mad if he didn't have his Heera right then at there. Prem pulled Heer up and gently held her face in his palms as he kissed her with love, passion and ecstasy before pushing her down on the mattress.

That night Prem and Heer finally became one. They fit perfectly because they were made for each other. After so many years of loneliness, heart ache and pain they were finally together. Heer remembered something her mom and told her years ago. She had said that God made us with half hearts only, when we find our soul mates they become one and we become whole; people who are destined to be together will find their way to each other, no one can stop it…because it was God's will.

It was God's will for Prem to be with Heer and for Heer to be with Prem. That is why, after so long, they finally were. God's power, God's love and God's faith were shining down on these two lovers with all its greatness.

Prem and Heer were made for each other; they were destined for each other. That is why they found their way back, to each other, to happiness…to LOVE.

Ek Duje Ke Vaaste

Jitne door door ho un dono ke raaste

Mil jaate hai joh bane ek duje ke vaaste

Jaise dil hai dhadkan hai

Ek duje ke vaaste

Jaise aankh hai darpan hai

Ek duje ke vaaste

Jaise barkha sawaan hai

Ek duje ke vaaste

Ek saajni ek saajan hai

Ek duje ke vaaste

Uss raab ne jaab dil diyeh

Dil ke doh tukde kiyeh

Dono pe ek naam likha

Ek Radha ek Shayam lika

Aab yeh dil dhadkte hai

Bicharte aur milte hai

Ek duje ke vaaste

Hum dono ek jaan hai

Doh dil ek armaan hai

Aaj abhi iss moor paar

Ek duje ke daaman tham kar

Waqt hai yeh faisla

Hum tum naa hojaye juda

Mange kushiyoon ki dua

Ek duje ke vaaste

Ek duje ke vaaste