New FF: Heer's Secret prt22 pg96 Jun9 - Page 38

Hey Jaz!

Firstly, I have been a silent reader here, and I think this is the first time I am commenting....and all i gotta say abt this FF is that it is one THE BEST i have ever read. I have just read till ch. 12, yet to read ch. 13 but i'll read that asap.

And I ADORE Preet....how cute can he get? Especially the ring, the late night song dedication on the radio, the rose and the coffee early next morning....uuuuurrrrggghhh! You make me hate myself for wanting Prem and Heer to be together, cuz Preet SOO deserves Heer.

Like i said, till now I dont understand why, but I still want Prem and Heer together...they are just toooooo much together. I don't know exactly what to write about my feelings towards Prem yet….i like him, and yet I hate him. So I guess, the less I say the better.

I gotta run now! Hope you update soon!

Kamal

After Heer, Preet and Prem had worked for another hour or so, they called it a day because Heer had to get home to get ready for the party, and the two gentlemen also had to get into their outfits. Preet dropped Heer off at home before he headed to his house to change and make sure everything was just perfect for Heer's 25^th birthday. He had worked really hard to keep his plans a secret from, not only Heer, but from his two would-be-sister-in-laws. The Maan girls had a unique bond - they could be at each others throats wishing the other one to hell and back, but in a split second they would take on the world for the other. Given the type and nature of their relationship/sisterly-bond, if one of the girls found out about his plans, it was as good as all three of them knowing.

Heer gave Preet a quick kiss on the cheek and whispered "See you soon," before she exited his car and walked into her house.

They ended up leaving her car back at Prem's place so they could ride together. When Heer asked Preet how she would get to work the next day, he said he would be only too happy to drop off the lady in his life. No matter situation, Preet always found some way to bring a smile on Heer's face, whether she wanted it or not.

When Heer walked into the house, she could already smell the food and it made her stomach rumble. She was going to head to the kitchen when she was intercepted by Meher and Ashlesha; both girls had curlers on their heads.

"Where do you think you are going Di?" Meher asked with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Umm'the kitchen, you know the little room in a house where people store and prepare food for eating," Heer replied.

"Don't be sarcastic Didi, do you see the time? You are late. The party is going to begin in less then an hour, and you need to get ready. You don't want to be late to a party at your own house," Ashlesha said.

"Says the girl who is standing in the door frame of the kitchen, in her bath robe, and a full head of curlers still on," Heer teased with a chuckle.

Both Meher and Ashlesha not only had the curlers, but both also had on bath robes and fuzzy bedroom slippers on their feet.

"What's your point Di, we are not the birthday girl'you are. So shoo, let us worry about everything else, you worry about getting ready. Besides, we don't want you seeing the back yard until everything is perfect," Meher said.

"Wait'I'" Heer couldn't get in a word edge wise as her two sisters literally rushed her up the stairs towards her room. She finally gave up and proceeded to getting ready.

She walked into her room and went straight for the bathroom. She had decided to take a hot bath; a 15 minute soak never hurt anyone. As the tub filled with hot water, Heer threw in some bath salts and oils before leaving to get out of her clothes. She threw her coat on the bed, kicked off her shoes and sat on the bed to take off her jewelry, which is when she saw a nicely wrapped box in the center of her bed.

With one eyebrow arched in confusion, Heer made her way to the box. The box was wrapped in shiny, patterned gold and sliver wrapping paper, and a beautiful gold-lace ribbon was wrapped around as the finishing touch. There was no card or anything that said who it was from. Heer gently unwrapped the gift, not wanting to destroy the beautiful wrapping. Inside was a pristine white box, with no markings or anything that gave away where it was from. As Heer delved deeper and removed the white tissue paper covering the gift inside, her eyes opened in surprise as her hands roamed across the exquisite fabric nestled inside. She stopped when her hands brushed across a hard, card like piece of paper. The top just read 'To Heer', the real message was inside.

Hey babe,

This is a beautiful saree, for my beautiful girl. People usually say that if you put on this saree then you look beautiful, but I say, if you put on this saree, the saree will look beautiful.

Don't kill me, but the Desi themed party idea was mine. I love the way you look in a saree, and you don't wear them much, so I thought why not. So be my good little angle and put on this saree, for me'please. I can't wait to see you later this evening.

PS: Keep your mom away from me tonight - I think she wants to kill me. Long story, I'll explain later.

Love You,

Preet

As expected, when Heer finished reading the note, a smile automatically played on her lips. Snapping out of her day dream, she remembered that she had a hot, well a now warm bath, waiting for her. Heer quickly disrobed and sunk into the warmth of the water and the fragrance of the bath salts and oils. She let herself relax for a while, as she felt the tension leave her body.

As she got out of the tub and proceeded to get ready, her mind kept going back to one thing, one person'Aarav. She was really sad that her son wasn't there to enjoy her birthday with her this year; it was the first time he wasn't going to wish her since he was born. Even when he was just a baby, Meher and Ashlesha had gotten a card that said 'Happy Birthday Mommy' and put it in Aarav's hand to give to her. Aarav was always the one to wish her first, after Preet, in the mornings, and he was the one she always cut her cake with.

Aarav, like Preet, was a fan of seeing her in Indian outfits, especially saree's. They both nagged her to wear them as often as possible. Heer let out a sigh as she stopped doing her make up as an old memory came floating into her mind.

-----

A few months back the entire Maan clan had been invited to a family friends 30^th wedding anniversary. Heer was just about done getting ready, she was just giving herself one last look to make sure her saree was pinned in all the right places when Aarav walked in looking oh-so-cute in a miniature suit and tie.

"Wow Mommy, you look so pretty," Aarav said.

"Well thank you, Munchkin. You look mighty handsome yourself," Heer said as she bent down to his level and kissed him on the cheek.

"We are going to have to keep an eye on you," Aarav said with his eyebrows drawn together, like he was contemplating something ultra top-secret.

"We'who is 'we', and why do you have to keep an eye on me?" Heer asked, intrigued.

"Well, me and Uncle P. Duh, Mommy." Aarav made a face like how-can-you-ask-such-a-question, and then he continued, "Uncle P said that lots of good-for-nothing guys look at you funny if you look too pretty. And Mommy, you look too pretty."

"Oh he did, did he? I will just have to have a little chat with your Uncle P," Heer said.

After a moments pause, Aarav looked at Heer and asked, "Mommy, what does 'good-for-nothing' mean?"

Heer let out a soft, muffled giggle before she answered, "Nothing you need to worry about now Munchkin. If you really want to know, go ask your Uncle P."

Later on during that party Heer saw Preet and Aarav in heated, secret discussions as they pointed to the bachelors of the party who so much as just smiled at her once. It annoyed her, but it touched her deep as well.

-----

Heer looked at the clock and saw it was already 7:45pm, and the party was supposed to begin at 8 o' clock sharp. Heer pushed all mushy memories out of her mind and got back to getting ready.

She quickly finished her make up, in accordance to the saree. It was a dirty rose color with golden work on the pallu and borders. The saree was beautiful and she didn't want to do too much dramatic makeup. She stuck to golden colors for her eye shadow; she used black eyeliner to outline her almond shaped eyes, a bit of mascara, some face powder, blush and lastly a sheer-nude lip-gloss.

Heer opened her drawer to find matching jewelry, which she doubted she had, and found a silver jewelry box with a note on top.

I know this is a bold color for you so I thought you would need the accessories as well. So, in the box you will find earrings, bangles and bindi's, that all match. Now hurry up and get ready, don't keep me waiting.

Love You

Heer slowly opened the box to find perfectly matching sets of bangles for her hands, a matching elegant bindi, and the most gorgeous pair of crystal earrings she had ever seen. They were the same ones she had seen months ago at the display window at Swarovski Crystals. He remembered. Why wasn't she surprised?

Once all of her jewelry was on she proceeded to draping the saree over her body. Taking out the blouse and petticoat so she could put those on first, but when she came to the blouse, only one thought was on her mind'

"Oh, I will kill that man when I see him tonight." Heer wasn't used to wearing such clothes in front of her parents, that too in an Indian outfit.

Heer was careful as she tucked in the delicate fabric into the petticoat, she meticulously did the pleats. Once all of that was done, she ran her fingers through her hair to set the curls a bit and then look at her finished image. Glancing at the clock she saw she was over 20min late for her own party. Taking a deep breath, Heer stepped out to go join the party.

**Heer's Saree: Click Here

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

(same time as Heer getting ready)

Meher and Ashlesha came out of the house, both girls dressed in elegant salwar suits. They too had matching bangles, earrings, bindi's, the whole nine yards. Teji walked out of the kitchen into the back yard with a plate of samosas in her hand when she spotted her two youngest daughters.

"Wah, my darlings look so beautiful in the suits, all grown up," she commented.

"I know girls, you look great. Who knew that you two were such fabulous girls, no wait, women," Preet said as he joined the group of girls.

"Hey watch it'" said Meher, "'me and Rash are your would-be sister-in-law's.

"Oh, yes of course'Aunty, what is the old Indian saying?" Preet looked at Teji and winked at her before he began again, "Saali'aadhi'aadhi'"

"Saali aadhi ghaar wali," Teji finished the sentence for Preet.

"Nope, that is not it. What is it?" Preet pretended to think about it long and hard before he finished. Meher, Ashlesha and Teji were all looking at him, waiting to see what he said. Finally Preet spoke. "Oh, I remember, they say; 'Saali aadhi NAUKRANI!' See, I got it."

Meher and Ashlesha both had their mouths gapping open, and Teji let out a deep hearted laugh. Preet winked at the girls, who by this time had their hands on their hips in mock anger, and then he walked away. As he turned to walk away he could hear Meher and Ashlesha bout calling out to him, "Jiju! Brother-In-Law!" Preet himself had a nice grin on his face; it was fun to tease the younger sisters of your soon-to-be wife.

A full ten minutes passed with Meher and Ashlesha ignoring Preet as he tried to back into the good graces of his 'saalis'. Finally they girls gave up their silent treatment when he sweetly brought them drinks, his form of the white-flag.

"You know, I don't know what is taking her so long." Meher was tired of waiting for her sister to come down.

"Just relax. I'm sure she will be here any moment now," Preet said.

"Of course YOU will support her," Ashlesha commented.

"Of course, she is my fianc," Preet said as he winked at Meher and she made a face. "I wanted to say thanks to you and Ashlesha for helping me out with the party. I can't believe you didn't tell Heer."

"Hey we can keep a secret." Ashlesha piped in, "Besides, it was just getting matching bangles and bindi for her saree. You did a fantastic job of getting those earrings, Didi will love them."

"I know," Preet said with an air of coolness.

"Aren't we a bit too confident Mr. Singh?" Meher mocked.

"Of course, I know my babe."

They ladies all giggled at his comment, but Balraj, who had joined them, gave Preet a mock angry stare. Preet quickly wiped his sneaky grin off of his face and looked away. He missed the grin that came on Balraj's face; Balraj loved to harass Preet like that, it was too damn fun. Teji came out of the house but this time she held in her hand a sleek, black velvet box. Meher and Ashlesha quickly leapt up and grabbed the box from Teji's hand.

"Oh Mom, lets see what you got for Didi!"

Meher was the first to get to Teji.

"Ok, just make sure you put it on the table with the other gifts," Teji instructed her daughters before she and Balraj both went to attend to the other guests.

Meher and Ashlesha each sat on one side of Preet, while Meher carefully undid the ribbon and slowly opened the box. Their eyes widened in awe and their mouths gaped open once again that evening.

"Wow!" said Preet, Ashlesha, and Meher all at the same time.

"How gorgeous is this!"

"I know," Preet said.

"It is just perfect; sparkling under the light it looks magical, almost mystical." said Ashlesha.

"Perfect" was all Preet said.

"Mom really has great taste, only she could pick out something this precious," Meher said.

"Precious" Preet said again, repeating what the girls were saying.

"It's beautiful!" both sisters exclaimed at the same time.

"She's beautiful," Preet said.

"She?" both Ashlesha and Meher looked at one another and looked confused.

"My dear brother-in-law, we are talking about the diamond tennis bracelet mom and dad got Di. What are you talking about?" inquired Meher.

Preet didn't say anything just pointed to what was in front of him. Meher and Ashlesha followed his gaze and saw what he was staring at. They smiled as they saw their older sister coming down the stairs, looking stunning.

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

Prem stepped out of his car fixing his kurta, making sure there weren't too many creases in it. He had to dig deep into his father's closet to find something of Indian nature to wear. Prem had a few Indian outfits for himself, but he didn't bring anything with him because he hadn't expected to go to his ex-girlfriend's Desi-themed birthday party. Prem was almost about to call and cancel because one, he didn't want to really be with Heer and her perfect-little-close-knit family, and two, he absolutely despised his father and didn't want to wear his clothing for one minute let alone a whole evening. He eventually sucked it all up, because as they say, curiosity killed the cat; and here he was, the cat about to be killed.

Prem went around his car and grabbed the gift he had bought for Heer. After Heer and Preet - just saying that name made his mouth go bitter - had left Prem had ventured out to get a gift for Heer. You couldn't very well go to a birthday party without a gift, now could you? Grabbing the gift he made is way to the front of the house where he saw that a pathway led to the backyard. Prem followed the pathway, which was littered with flowers and candles, to the back yard. When he got there, no on really saw him, and he didn't really see anyone either'except for Heer.

Prem stopped in his tracks as he saw Heer come down, no, glide down the stairs. She looked absolutely radiant in the rose and gold saree that she was wearing. The white made her look like an angel, and the orange gave her a glow that was breath taking. Even from where he was he could hear the tinkling of the bangles she wore, and he could see he shine from her crystal earrings and rhinestone bindi. He had never seen her in a saree or any Indian outfit for that matter. Seeing her like this now, he regretted that he hadn't seen her like this before. She looked gorgeous.

Prem was finally brought back to reality when he heard a 'Happy Birthday' roar come from the crowd that now surrounded Heer.

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

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" the crowd yelled as Heer made her way out into the backyard. She smiled and mouthed 'thank you' to everyone that wished her. She wasn't used to being the center of attention so she could feel her cheeks blush as everyone commented on how gorgeous she looked.

Heer went over and hugged her parents, and then her sisters as they each wished her many, many happy returns of the day. When Heer finally got to Preet, his arms were already open ready to receive a hug, but Heer just went and stood in front of him, her arms crossed and an angry look on her face.

"Hey, where is my hug?" complained Preet.

"Hug, you want a hug? I want to kill you."

"Me, what did I do?" Preet said, acting innocent, yet he knew full-well what she was talking about. Heer didn't budge, but Preet act was up because a grin came on his face. "Come on babe, you look gorgeous in the saree."

"The saree is not the problem, the blouse, or lack-there-of the blouse is the problem!" Heer said.

"Babe, you have a hot, smoking body; why are you afraid to show it off? The halter makes you look even more sizzling then you usually do."

Preet had chosen a saree that had a halter blouse for Heer. He knew that she didn't like wearing such clothing in front of her parents, especially her dad; however, both Teji and Balraj were modern in most aspects. Preet had cleared the idea with Teji before he had even gone to buy the saree.

"Why, am I not 'sizzling' enough for you? Does this do the job?" Heer said as she spun around to give Preet a full view of her outfit.

"Of course this is hot, but nothing is more sizzling then you in your pink bunny pj's. Oh mamma, that is off the charts!" Preet said, and he saw Heer turn different shades of red.

"Preet, stop it." Heer was blushing at the fact that Preet mentioned her frumpy-old-worn-out pajamas. The goofy grin on his face didn't help matters, so Heer finally gave up and gave him a hug.

"Hey, Mr. Phuneja, you are her," Meher called out from behind them.

Heer and Preet broke from their hug to see Meher go and greet Prem at the entrance if the back yard. Heer felt a little nervous because Prem Phuneja was in her home after all there years; more so because now it was the home she was raising his son in. The rest of the family members gathered where Preet and Heer were as they waited for Meher to come with Prem.

Heer needed more then positive thinking to help her get through this evening; she did the only thing that came to mind, she grabbed onto Preet's hand tight, and felt immensely better when he squeezed back.

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

JAZ

ps: cant wait for comments 😳