hey all...here is part 15 of HS...enjoy
ps: i know MANY of you dont like this story simply because Preet is sweet and Prem is a jerk...so im cautioning you now...read at your own risk...i really dont want another round of being bashed...so dont say i didnt warn you...if you dont like PReet and any Preet/Heer scenes...i suggest you dont read...but its up to you...you've been warned 😛
Part 15
Prem walked in a daze as he felt Meher pull him towards the crowd that Heer was encased in. She looked stunning, he thought again. He felt a pang of regret in his gut. When they had been together, he had never made an effort to really get to know her for the person she was. He whisked her off to romantic places, took her on dates, bought her all kinds of 'pretty things'; basically he treated her just like he treated any of his other mistresses. All he knew about her was that she was Indian by blood but was raised in the States, she had a loving family, and that she was majoring in Art History; he knew nothing more.
When he was finally standing a few feet away from he, he came back to reality. Prem cleared his throat before he spoke. As he handed Heer a bouquet of roses, he said, "Happy Birthday Heer".
"Thank You," Heer said.
As she moved forward a bit to take the flowers form his hand, Prem got a whiff of her scent, and what an enticing scent it was. She smelled of sweet strawberries and cream. It took him everything he had to stop from reaching out and drawing a finger across her exposed right arm.
"I am glad that you could make it," Heer said with a soft smile on her face.
"My pleasure. Thank you for inviting me."
"Come on Mr. Jhuneja, don't be so formal. You were almost family at one point," Meher blurted out.
Everyone looked at Meher as soon as she said that, and even she realized that she shouldn't have said that.
"A lot of time has passed since then Meher," Prem replied.
A lull fell over the group as everyone stood in silence. It was finally Ashlesha who broke the silence.
"Mr. Jhuneja, why don't I show you where the food and drinks are so you can help yourself."
"Sure, thanks."
Saying that Prem and Ashlesha were off towards the buffet line and bar.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Heer breathed a sigh of relief as she watched Prem's retreating back. Her eyes instantly fell on Meher, who was trying to sneak away without anyone noticing. She made the mistake of looking back to see if anyone had seen her, and that is when her eyes encountered the glaring eyes of Heer.
"I'm so sorry Di. I didn't mean it like it sounded," Meher said as she put her hands on her ears.
"Meher you have to be more careful, you know what is at stake here," Heer said.
"I know, and I promise, I won't make another slip. I promise Di."
"Good," was all Heer said before she was dragged away by her mother who wanted to introduce Heer to one of the girls Teji had met at the local YMCA where she had just begun teaching a kids art class.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The evening was turning out to be tons of fun. Heer had thought that having Prem there would make her to paranoid about the possibility of Aarav coming up, and she would stress over it; however, much to her surprise she was having a great time.
Meher, Ashlesha and her Mother had been able to keep Prem some what occupied. Heer was making her rounds to her friends so that no one felt left out or ignored. They all asked how Aarav was doing, but all Heer had to say was that he was away at camp, and they let it drop; after all, it's common for children to go off to camp for the summer. No one pressed the matter any further.
It was nearly 9 'o clock, and Heer was talking to her mother about her Art class, when Preet came up from behind her, placed a hand on her back and whispered, "Hey Babe" into her ear.
"Hi, what have you been up to? I haven't seen you enjoying the party much," Heer asked Preet.
"Oh, you will see," he then turned to Teji and spoke again. "My dear future mother-in-law, would you mind if I stole your beautiful daughter for a while?"
"No, no, not at all; just as long as you behave," Teji said with a naughty sparkle in her eyes.
"Deal!" Preet said.
Once the arrangements were made with Teji, Preet took Heer's hand and guided her towards the dimly light den at the back of the house. Everyone just smiled at the couple and resumed what ever they were doing. However, no one noticed that there was someone on the side watching Heer and Preet, and was green with jealousy.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Preet, what is this?" inquired Heer, but was silenced by a finger that he placed on her lips.
"Shhh, just one second." Preet fiddled in his pocked for something and pulled out some sort of remote control and pressed the buttons. Music came on over the surround sound system, and the room was illuminated by a video coming up on her father's flat-screen, 64 inch TV.
Heer jerked away from Preet's hold and stood with her eyes wide in shock. She slowly managed to walk towards the TV screen, and traced her hand over the images, as tears automatically came over her.
'Happy Birthday To You,
Happy Birthday To You,
Happy Birthday To Mommy,
Happy Birthday To You!'
The music that played was that of Aarav singing 'Happy Birthday' for his mother, and the video that played was on of Aarav dressed in a yellow t-shirt and jeans shorts, covered with some dirt, and a huge grin on his face as he sang. The song soon ended and then Aarav threw his hands out as if he were going to hug someone.
'Hi Mommy, Happy Birthday! I really wanted to be there but the dumb camp counselor said that if I left, then I couldn't come back. Uncle P tried, but that lady is just too mean.' A little scowl came over Aarav as he spoke but soon disappeared. 'Everyone else is really nice Mommy, and I am having a blast. I still wanted to wish you on your birthday, so Uncle P had this idea. Hope you like it Mommy. I miss you and I love you lots. Oh yeah, ps, that hug was for you. Bye Mommy.'
That was the end of the message because the screen went blank. The tears flowed freely from her eyes and her right hand had found its way so that it rested over her heart. She turned to see that the man responsible for all this still stood in the background, smiling at her. Heer couldn't help but rush into his welcoming arms as she hugged him and cried.
"Thank you, thank you so much. You have no idea what this means to me," Heer managed to say between her tears and cracking voice.
"Why the 'thank you'? I know that you would be missing Aarav today, so I went out recorded this before I came to get you from Prem's house."
The fact that Prem's name was just mentioned had no effect on the situation, for the first time hearing his name didn't send Heer into a frenzy; more important things were at stake.
"Aarav had another gift for you; it's there on the table." Preet nodded his head towards the small desk that her father used for mail and his reading.
On the table was something that seemed to be circular in shape, it was wrapped in a bright green flower-print paper, and had what seemed to be a bow on top. It was clearly evident that it was wrapped by a four year old, her four year old to be exact.
Heer reached the table as gently un-wrapped the object, taking her time to remove the masking tape that was used to hold it together. When the wrapping was off, the bottom faced up and on it Aarav had engraved his name. When Heer turned it over a smile came over her face. It was a clay print of Aarav's hand. He had painted the border with purple and managed to draw flowers along the edge as well. His hand seemed so small in comparison to the clay setting.
Heer had always complained to Preet that Aarav never participated in the art's and craft's section of his play group where they made these things for parents; Aarav was always busy playing kick-ball or dodge-ball. It was definitely a nice surprise to see her small wish had finally been fulfilled.
Heer stared at the hand print of her precious son for another moment, before she turned and placed a kiss on Preet's lips. It wasn't anything hot and heavy; it was something that was light and tender, showing her appreciation and love for what he had done to make her day special. Heer put her arms around his neck and just let him hold her for a while. It wasn't until Meher came calling that they realized they were away from the party for a good 20 minutes or so.
They stepped out together hand in hand, with Heer's head resting on Preet's shoulder.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Prem stood rooted in his spot outside the den, hidden behind some trees. He had stood there and watched the entire scene carry out. When he had seen them go inside, he had not intended to watch them. He was about to turn his face away, when he saw that Heer had suddenly pulled away from Preet. The look of shock on her face made Prem believe that something wasn't right, the sudden glistening of tears made him even more sure. He had almost stepped in to punch the lights out of this Preet guy, but stopped himself as he realized that it was some sort of set up for a surprise that was planned.
Prem then just couldn't take his eyes away. He watched as a range of emotions played across Heer's face, from shock to joy, from love to contentment. He watched as she ran into the other mans arms, he watched as she kissed him, and he watched as Preet held her. It was only when he saw Heer's youngest sister coming his way that he moved further back, completely getting lost in the darkness of the wall.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A half an hour later, Preet excused himself saying that he had something to attend to and that he would be right back. Soon the DJ began to play slow, classical music and soon everyone was paired up. All her friends were dancing with their boyfriends/husbands, or just other friends. Heer looked around for Preet and noticed that he wasn't back. She saw that Meher was sharing the dance with their Father and laughing about something or other. It was then that she noticed that her Mother and Ashlesha were both missing.
"Odd," she thought, but she couldn't dwell on the matter as a masculine hand appeared in front of her.
"May I have this dance?" came the velvet voice.
Heer looked to see that it was none other than Prem. She hesitated for a second, but then gave in and accepted his offer. She didn't want him thinking that she had reasons to avoid him.
She placed her hand in his and felt a sensation, the same sensation that she always felt when ever he had touched her, be it four years ago or right now. As they approached the dance floor the songs seemed to change. Prem took her hand into his, as she placed another hand on his shoulder. Both were looking into each others eyes as the new song began to play…
If You're Not The One (Daniel Beddingfield)
If you're not the one then why does my soul feel glad today?
If you're not the one then why does my hand fit yours this way?
If you are not mine then why does your heart return my call
If you are not mine would I have the strength to stand at all
I never know what the future brings
But I know you are here with me now
We'll make it through
And I hope you are the one I share my life with
I don't want to run away but I can't take it, I don't understand
If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am?
Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?
Prem watched her as the life he had shared with her flashed before his eyes. The memories all came flooding back, from their first date, to their first fight, to their first holiday, to the first time they made love…everything.
If I don't need you then why am I crying on my bed?
If I don't need you then why does your name resound in my head?
If you're not for me then why does this distance maim my life?
If you're not for me then why do I dream of you as my wife?
I don't know why you're so far away
But I know that this much is true
We'll make it through
And I hope you are the one I share my life with
And I wish that you could be the one I die with
And I pray in you're the one I build my home with
I hope I love you all my life
I don't want to run away but I can't take it, I don't understand
If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am
Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?
Seeing Heer so mature and elegant had stirred desires in him he didn't wish to have. A part of him wanted her to be the one for him, his last ever. However, in his heart he knew that wasn't going to happen, she was someone else's. She was someone else's because he had lost her. There was a lot that he could give her, but there was more that he couldn't give her.
It pained him to admit that he had lost the only girl he ever saw a future with, because his own stupidity and insecurities. There was nothing that could be done about that now.
'Cause I miss you, body and soul so strong that it takes my breath away
And I breathe you into my heart and pray for the strength to stand today
'Cause I love you, whether it's wrong or right
And though I can't be with you tonight
And know my heart is by your side
I don't want to run away but I can't take it, I don't understand
If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am
Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The song had just come to an end, yet Prem and Heer still were in each others arms. Before anyone could tell them anything, they sprang apart when a familiar voice came over the outdoor sound system; it was Preet's.
"May I have everyone's attention please?"
Everyone looked at Preet as he stood near the DJ, with a piece of paper in his hand and a mike.
"First off let me just start my thanking everyone for coming to celebrate Heer's birthday with us. You guys are all great friends." Everyone cheered and clapped and raised their glasses up towards Preet. "Ok now, I know my girl is out there somewhere out there, Babe, this one is for your."
Preet took a sip of water, a deep breath, winked at Heer when he spotted her, and then spoke in to the mike.
"Humein tumse pyaar kitna, yeh hum nahin jaante. Magar jee nahin sakte, tumhare bina."
Heer's eyes shot up to Preet, he was speaking in Hindi, and she couldn't believe it.
"Heer, main tumse kitna pyaar karta hoon, yeh main tumse khabi nahin keh paunga, kyun ke koi bhi bhasha mein woh lavs nahin hai jisse main aapne dil ke haal ka izhaar kaar sakoon. Main tumhe chand ya tareen nahin deh sakta, lekin main tumhare liyeh aapna jaan zaroor deh sakta hoon. Tum hi mere saab kuch ho; tumhi se mera parivaar shuru hota hai aur tumhi se khatam hota hai. Main vadaa karta hoon ke khabi tumhe dukh nahin dunga, khabi asoon nahin dunga. Main vadaa karta hoon ke tumhari zindagi khushiyon se bhar dunga."
By the time he had finished, Heer, Meher, Ashlesha and Teji all had tears in their eyes, while Balraj tried to look unaffected but was clearly moved. Heer left Prem's side and went to where Preet was and kissed him on both cheeks tenderly.
"How?" was all that Heer would ask at that point.
"Well, I know how much your culture means to you. I was born and raised here like you but the only difference was that my parents never taught me about my culture, so I could never really speak Hindi. I learned bits and pieces here and there from your family, but that was never enough to actually carry out a conversation," Preet said.
"I know that much, but what changed?" Heer asked.
"Well I thought I'd learn for you. So my future mother-in-law was kind enough to teach me, and Ashlesha helped along the way as well. The full credit goes to those two gals," he explained.
"That is why we disappeared a while ago, Jij wanted to practice before he finally came out to speak," Ashlesha offered.
"We have been at it for the past two months or so, and let me tell you, it was no easy task. However, seeing that smile on your face makes it all worth it," Teji said.
"Wait, is that why you said Mom wanted to kill you?" Heer asked, as she remembered Preet's note.
"Sort of," Preet said as some pink creped into his cheeks.
"Beta, I wanted to kill him because last week, after all that hard work, he comes and says he won't be able to do it, he wanted to back out," Teji said with her voice raising just a notch.
"Oh" Heer said as everyone giggled.
"But then I realized that if I would give my life for you, this speech was a piece of cake," Preet said in his defense.
"Really?" asked Teji, with her hands on her hips.
"Bilkul…" Preet said, continuing his Hindi, "…main Heer ke liyeh daar bhi sakta hoon!" he finished, adding a melodramatic touch to it.
Everyone began laughing while Ashlesha and Teji smacked their heads with their hands, but Preet couldn't figure out why until Meher filled him in.
"Jij, not 'daar'…it's 'maar bhi sakta hoon'. 'Daar' means scared/fear. 'Maar' means die. Got it, Mr. Hindi Professor?" Meher teased.
Realization dawned on Preet. "Don't laugh, this isn't easy," Preet said as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Aww, don't be mad, we know we still love you," Heer said as she kissed his right cheek once again.
"Alright, that's more like it." Preet then placed a kiss on Heer's cheek and then turned to the DJ, "Alright Mr. DJ, play some music" tuning back to Heer he asked, "May I have this dance m'lady?"
"Of course," Heer said as she put her hand in his and he led her to the dance floor.
I'll Be (Ed Mccain)
The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath
Emeralds from mountains thrust toward the sky
Never revealing their depth
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated
I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above
I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
Preet placed his hands on Heer's waist and drew her closer to him, as she put her arms around his neck. He rested his forehead against hers and whispered 'I love you' and then rested his head against hers.
Rain falls angry on the tin roof
As we lie awake in my bed
You're my survival, you're my living proof
My love is alive not dead
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache, that hang from above
I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
Heer held onto him and rested her head on his shoulder, against the crock of his neck…and they danced.
I've been dropped out, burned up, fought my way back from the dead
Tuned in, turned on, Remembered the things that you said
I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
As soon as the song ended and the couple was cheered on by the crowd that had stopped to watch them. Suddenly Heer's sisters appeared and dragged her to the gifts table, saying it was time to open the gifts.
One by one she opened the gifts and thanked everyone. She gave her Mom and Dad hugs for the beautiful tennis bracelet they had give her. There were only two gifts left on the table so Heer chose a large square gift wrapped in delicate pink wrapping, topped off with a white lace bow. She unwrapped it and instantly knew it was from Preet.
The gift was a picture framed in the most gorgeous gold tinted frame she had ever scene. The background was a pale shade of gold with sprinkles of pink flakes scattered across the paper. There was a picture in the frame that took up of the frame. It was a picture that brought tears to Heer's eyes, because she remembered that day as if it were yesterday. The picture was that of Heer and Aarav, but it wasn't just any ordinary picture, this picture had meaning.
Heer had been in labor for nearly 38 hours before Aarav was born. As soon as Aarav was out, Heer's blood pressure had dropped causing her to pass out. While the doctors worked to stabilize Heer, the nurses had already taken her baby and began cleaning him up because, thank God, he was fine. It wasn't until hours later, when Heer woke up that she had seen Aarav.
Aarav was in the nursery sleeping when Heer woke up and asked for her baby. Teji had requested the nurses to bring in Baby Boy Maan. When they brought him in he was wrapped in a blue blanket and wore a blue hat, his entire body was covered except for his little face. Heer herself wasn't exactly looking glamorous, who could after giving birth. She was in her hospital gown, hair tied back, and her face void of any makeup. Teji had placed her baby in her arms and instantly Heer knew what it meant to be a 'mother'. Holding her boy she knew what she would do anything for him, his happiness, his safety…anything.
The picture was that first meeting of mother and son. Heer smiling at her son while he had his eyes closed, but had his tiny fingers around her pinky finger. Neither of them looked particularly great, but it was a beautiful picture. Heer was sure that Preet was the one to snap it because he was in a 'photography' phase at that point.
Right below the picture there was a quote, in beautiful calligraphy writing. When Heer read it, it pulled at her heart strings.
"Mother is the name for God, on the lips and hearts of little children"
- William Thackeray
This was a personal picture that Heer didn't show anyone, and placed face down on the table. Fighting her tears she placed a hard kiss on Preet's lips and hid her face in his chest. He held her as emotions raked over her body and her heart.
Heer was left thinking about what Preet had said to begin his speech…
"Humein tumse pyaar kitna, yeh hum nahin jaante. Magar jee nahin sakte, tumhre bina."
It wasn't just something that he said because it had a beautiful meaning, or because it was lyrics to a popular song. He had said it because he meant it…he meant it because he believed it.
JAZ
ps: cant wait for comments 😃...please...be gentle 😳
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Arjun
