hey guys...im not even gonna apologize for my delay...cuz its been like forever ...so here is the update...you all can thank Hiba...who reminded me...and then harassed me via PM and FB 😆😆 it worked...😆😆 enjoy the next installment...
thanks to EVERYONE for the comments...i read each and every one of them 😳
NOTE: those of you that read ZKH and Sau Dard...will try to update those this weekend 😃
Part 22
Later that evening after Heer had gotten home all she wanted to do was hug her son and never let him go. Unfortunately, Aarav and Preet weren't back from their little excursion yet. The only person that was home was Ashlesha, but she was in the shower after a long day of school. It was ironic how her parents, Meher, Preet and Aarav all returned home at the same time. Apparently they all had the same idea, pick up dinner for the family; they ended up running into each other at the local strip mall that housed one of their favorite hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurants.
Everyone was dying to find out what had happened but no one more than Aarav.
"What did you and Daddy talk about Mommy?" he asked.
"Some very important grown up stuff Munchkin, don't you worry about it. Now go wash up for dinner," she said as she patted his bottom.
As he headed up the stairs he turned back and asked her, "Daddy still wants me right Mommy?"
"Oh honey, of course he does."
"Promise?"
"Cross my heart and hope to die," Heer said as she crossed her heart with her fingers.
Only after getting that response did Aarav finally go upstairs to get cleaned up. As soon as he was gone the questions began flying about her encounter with Prem. Heer kept shooting them down but they didn't seem to understand why Heer wouldn't just spill the beans.
"Look, I will tell you everything that happened, everything he said…but after Aarav is upstairs and asleep," Heer said. She realized that she was acting just like Prem was when Aarav had showed up at his house earlier that day. Now she understood why he didn't want Aarav hearing any part of that conversation; she agreed with him 100%.
Finally, after what seemed like the longest family dinner they had ever had, Aarav was ready to be tucked in. Heer helped him get changed and read a book. Preet came up a few minutes later to help Aarav blow out the lights. When the two of them returned to the kitchen, they saw the family huddled at the dining table, cups of coffee in hand and all ready to her what she had to say.
Heer took a seat herself, accepted the coffee that Preet held out to her, took a sip and then began talking. She explained everything, from beginning to end, about her conversation with Prem. About thirty minutes later Heer saw looks of shock, horror, concern and understanding on the faces of her family members.
"Poor baby, I feel just terrible for him," her mother had said.
"You know, he carries around so much burden on him. That is probably why he is always frowning and never smiling," Meher added.
"Oh come on Meher, we are talking about something serious. It is no place to make jokes," Heer retorted.
"Gee, sorry Di, don't get your panties in a twist!"
"Anyway, he didn't want children because he was…is…afraid that he will carry on the Jhuneja family tradition of child abuse with Aarav," Heer explained.
"Oh, what nonsense!" her mother raged, "Who ever heard of a thing like that?"
"Actually mom, it is not so uncommon. Research shows that all child abusers were abused as children and also that one in three abused children become abusers themselves," Ashlesha said citing her medical background.
"You never know, Prem may be that one in three," said Meher.
"Come on, the guy deserves a break. He has been through something that no child should go through," Preet said, sympathizing with Prem.
"I still can't really believe that it's true," Heer said as she leaned against Preet, "It seems so surreal. How can a parent hurt their child like that…how…I mean to imagine Aarav…" Heer's voice trailed as she felt tears stinging her eyes.
Everyone there at the table suddenly fell silent and thought about the unimaginable possibility of their darling being in a position like that. Heer's mother and Ashlesha tried and failed to fight back tears, as did Heer. The men, her father and Preet, had watery eyes like Meher, only they admitted to getting emotional while Meher tried to look like the hard ass of the family.
For some reason that night Heer didn't want to let Preet go home so soon. The two of them cuddled up on the sofa out in the den and talked about Prem and Aarav. Before they knew it they had fallen asleep on the couch; Heer's head rested on Preet's shoulder as his head rested lightly on hers.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A few weeks had passed since Heer's conversation with Prem, since he had poured his heart and soul out to her. Prem had been coming by the house more frequently to see Aarav; they were going out more as a family for Aarav. However, every time Heer was in Prem's presence she couldn't help but look at him differently, not in a bad way though. Now Heer honestly respected him and felt for him like she never had in the past, it was like finding out about his past explained everything away. She didn't want to look at him differently, but she couldn't help it.
After hearing the horrific stories about Prem's childhood, Heer couldn't help but see him in a different light. Her heart truly went out to him for the situations he has had to face as a child. She couldn't imagine any parent being so ruthless that they beat their child. Not only beat their child but caused them serious physical harm, broken bones and everything. Sure, sometimes she wanted to smack Aarav because he was getting on her last nerve, but she never did. She couldn't imagine hurting a child so badly that they need hospitalization.
Before anybody had realized it, Father's Day had rolled around and no one was more excited about it like Aarav. She would come home from his day care/preschool and just blab on and on about what they were doing at school but still was able to some how keep the lid on exactly what he was doing.
"You know Mommy, I have a surprise planned for Fathers Day?" he said.
"Oh, really? How cool…tell me what it is," Heer edged.
"I can't tell you Mommy…" Aarav protested.
"Why not? I can keep a secret, I promise."
"No I can't, because it's a little surprise for you too," he admitted.
"For me," Heer asked shocked, "Really?"
"Yeah, but it's really cool. We made these things for our Dad's that they are really going to love. They can use it everyday and that way they will think of us when they do use it."
"Oh really, what is it?" Heer tried to trick him.
"It's a………hey! No cheating Mommy, shame on you!" he said.
"Yes, shame on you Heer…shame shame…" said Preet as he entered Aarav's play room.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Father's Day was a really beautiful day; the sun was shining, the temperature was just right for a picnic. Heer, Meher and Ashlesha made a great big picnic feast for their father and took it to the local park which was right at the boarder of the beach. Since it was Father's Day Heer had invited Prem along with them, she knew he would want to spend the day with Aarav. Of course Preet was coming along, that was a given.
Once they got to the park the girls began setting up everything while the guys got things out of the car; the box full of Aarav's toys had to be the heaviest and biggest thing in the car. Once everything was out Heer yelled at the men, who were beginning to walk back form the cars, to come and help them set up. Even from the distance she could see her father saying something.
"Come on you guys, we need help," Heer called.
"Yeah, it's not fair that WE do all the work and YOU eat all the rewards!" Meher yelled.
"Excuse me," Ashlesha said, "But you didn't do any of the work so you fall in the same category as the guys!"
"Hey! I did help out. Didn't I Mamma?" Meher asked.
"Of course you did baby," said Krishna, which earned a see-I-told-you-so look from Meher. "If you call pealing one potatoes 'work'."
The girls began giggling as Meher tried to plead her case. They stopped when they heard Aarav's little voice call out at them.
"Setting up is women's job Mommy! Not for the men," he said.
All four women present turned their heads to the three men and one boy with wide eyes and shocked faces.
"Oh really darling?" asked Heer's mother, "Who told you this sweetheart?"
"Nana-ji" he responded as he pointed to Balraj.
"What!?" Balraj called out as he put a hand over Aarav's mouth, "What stories kids make up these days."
"Yeah, sure…" said Ashlesha.
"Shame on you Dad!" Meher yelled, "You may want to release your grip on Aarav before the poor boy suffocates to death!"
"Anyone else feel that way?" Heer asked as she eyed Preet and Prem.
"No, not me," Prem said quickly.
"Me neither, there is no such thing as a woman's job and a man's job," Preet added.
"Right answer," Teji said, "Now get your butts over here…you too Mr. Maan."
Before you knew it the men were doing the majority of the setting up and serving. However, since it was Father's Day, the girls told the men to relax and they took over. They all enjoyed a typical picnic of cold sandwiches, potato salad, macaroni salad, Cesar salad, strawberry lemonade and homemade chocolate fudge cake.
After everyone ate it was time for presents. The three girls gave their gift to Balraj first. Preet went to go get it out of his car as the girls explained themselves.
"Now Mom, don't be mad at us," Heer requested.
"Yes please, don't be upset with us. It's Father's Day after all…we had to do it for Papa," Ashlesha added.
"What have the three of you done?" Teji asked hesitantly.
"Nothing Mamma…I swear. The gift will make Papa really happy…and it may make you a bit…upset," Meher said.
Since Balraj's back was facing the parking lot he didn't see Preet come and stand behind him. The three girls got up and stood in front of the gift.
"Happy Father's Day Papa!" they yelled in unison before they moved out of the way for Balraj to see his gift.
"Golf clubs!" both Balraj and Teji yelled; only difference was Balraj yelled it out in joy and Teji yelled it out in misery.
"Sorry Mom," the girls said as they held their ears.
"You three have just ruined me and my life…golf clubs…what were you thinking? Now I will never see him at home, but I will see him in those hideous pastel golf get-ups!"
"I love you girls…thank you so much," Balraj said as he inspected his gift and give each of his girls a hug.
"Ok Aarav, now it's your turn Munchkin," Heer said, "Give your gift."
"Yay!" he yelled, "Where is the big bag I told you to bring Ashlesha Massi?"
"What bag?"
"You know the one I said was up in my room next to my bed," Aarav clarified.
"Oh sh…I mean…I'm sorry baby, I completely forgot," Ashlesha said with a guilty voice.
Aarav's face fell instantly as he heard that his Father's Day surprise was left back at home.
"Hey Buddy, don't worry," Prem said trying to pacify him, "You can give it to me once we get home, okay?"
"I guess its okay," he said with a sad voice.
"How about you boys go play with the Frisbee for a bit and then we will head home so Aarav can give his gift, ok?" Teji suggested.
"Great idea," Preet said, "…lets go men."
Balraj, Prem and Preet followed Aarav towards the open space to play Frisbee.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The Maan's returned to their home around 8 o'clock in the evening with Prem and Preet in tow. As soon as Aarav was unbuckled from his booster seat he made a mad dash for the main door. He stood there, rather impatiently, as the grown ups began to unload the cars.
"Come on Nana, I'm waiting," he said as he tapped his foot on the porch.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," Balraj yelled back as he made his way towards the house.
"I guess what Nani says is right, you are really old Nana!" Aarav yelled.
"She what?!" Heer's father asked in horror.
"Oh you know," Teji called out to her husband, "…kids just say the strangest things."
"Uh huh…sure."
As soon as Balraj fished the keys out of his pocket and opened the door Aarav ran inside and straight up the stairs. As the rest of the adults slowly piled into the house they saw Aarav maneuvering his way down the stairs with a bag full of things. Meher offered to help but he refused; he insisted that everyone go inside the living room and wait for him.
"Wow Munchkin, that bag looks like it has a lot of stuff inside it," Heer said.
"That's because it does Mommy," he replied. "Ok now, Nana, since you are older, I'll give you your gift first."
"Oh gee, thanks," Balraj said in mock depression.
"The truth hurts doesn't it honey," Teji teased.
"Yeah well…I still have my golf clubs," he retorted back, earning him a 'humph' from his wife.
"Nana, this is for you," Aarav said as he handed over a badly wrapped gift, "I hope you like it."
Balraj unwrapped the gift carefully and marveled at what he had gotten. It was a hand made paper weight. It was made out of clay, painted navy blue, and written on it was 'Aarav luvs Nana'.
"Oh I love it!" Balraj exclaimed as he took Aarav into a hug. "It will match perfectly with my navy blue coffee mug."
Satisfied with the response he got from his grandfather Aarav proceeded to giving Prem the next gift.
"Your gift was too big Daddy so I couldn't wrap it; I just out it in a bag I got from Meher Massi," he confessed.
"Oh that's fine Buddy, I don't mind," Prem said as he peeked into the bag.
A moment later he pulled out an odd wooden contraption. Everyone in the room oo-ed and aw-ed but didn't know what they were oo-ing and aw-ing for.
"Do you like your tie holder Daddy?" Aarav asked.
"A tie holder…sure…I knew that," Prem said as he tried to figure out how on Earth what he was holding was a tie holder, "I love it Buddy! Thank you so much."
"I made it myself. I thought since you were a big time business man you could use a tie holder for all the ties you have."
"You were right, I definitely could use this."
"See I told you," Aarav said, "You guys will think of me everyday when you look at my gifts. Right?"
"Right," said Prem and Heer's father at the same time.
"Meher Massi could you bring the bag I hid in your closet?" Aarav asked.
"What bag?" Meher asked cluelessly.
"Remember, 'the bag'," Aarav repeated.
"Oh," Meher said dramatically, "…that bag, sure."
Meher went up stairs and returned shortly with a bag held behind her back. She handed it to Aarav. At first Aarav was hesitant as everyone looked at him in confusion. Prem and Balraj had both gotten their gifts, who was left? They watched as Aarav slowly and quietly advanced towards Preet.
"This is for you Uncle P," he said in a quite voice as he handed Preet the bag.
"For me? Really?" Preet asked enthusiastically as he sat up better on the couch.
He quickly took the item out of the bag and stared at it. Aarav had gotten him a baseball glove and a baseball.
"The teacher wouldn't let me make another gift for you so I had to buy you one," he said, "And I thought that maybe…since you are going to marry Mommy, and we will be living with you…well…I thought," he said nervously, "…maybe you could play catch with me."
"You bet Champ, anytime!" Preet said as he gave Aarav a bear hug.
"Uncle P can I ask you a question?" Aarav asked once he pulled out of the hug.
"Sure Champ, anything."
"Well, since you and Mommy are going to get married, you will be my Daddy. But I can't call you 'Daddy' because I already have one," Aarav said as he looked at Prem. "Would you mind…" he continues, "…if I called you Daddy P?"
Everyone in the room burst out in soft laughter at Aarav's innocence; Preet looked on in awe and Heer felt tears sting the back of her eyes.
"Of course you can Champ, I would love that," Preet confessed; the sudden crack in his voice clearly apparent.
"Ok cool!" Aarav said as he hopped in the air.
"See Mommy, that was your surprise, did you like it?"
"I loved it Munchkin," Heer said fighting the tears in her eyes. "Ok, now say good night you need to clean up and go to bed."
Aarav quickly said his goodnights and kissed/hugged everyone as he headed up to bed. Heer and Prem went up together to tuck their son in for the night. They returned nearly 30 minutes later after Aarav had taken his bath and was fast asleep in his room. Once they came down stairs they saw the family gathered in the living room with Ashlesha and Teji serving coffee and scones.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Prem looked around the room and saw Preet standing off to one corner talking to Heer's father. As soon as he spotted Heer he made a b-line for her. Prem stood there and watched Heer and Preet hug and bond over the fact that Aarav wanted to call Preet 'Daddy P'. Prem felt his skin crawl and his blood boil at the thought. Before he knew what he was doing, he had punched Preet so had he fell to the floor.
"Prem, what the hell are you doing?" Heer yelled as she rushed over to Preet.
"I don't want that son-of-a-bitch near my son!" he roared.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Heer yelled again, "What has gotten into you?"
Balraj had come over, as did the other ladies, and helped Preet get back on his feet.
"Aarav is my son and I'll be damned if I let my son call someone else 'daddy'!"
"What?" Heer said, as if not believing what Prem was saying.
Prem didn't pay any attention to anyone as he walked towards Preet.
"Couldn't find yourself a woman of you own, so you just thought you would walk in and take my family?" Prem asked.
"Why are you doing this Prem?" Heer pleaded with him.
"Look man I…" Preet tried to talk, but it was useless.
"You what, you thought that I'd just stand by idly as you lived the perfect life with the woman I love and our son? How pathetic are you, she doesn't even love you!"
"Prem, stop it!" Heer yelled.
"No matter what she tells you, she doesn't love you the way she loves me!"
"Prem…" Heer called as she stood in front of him.
"Swear on Aarav, swear on your son that you love him…swear that you love him the way you love me?" Prem challenged.
Heer fell silent, she couldn't say anything. She didn't have to be looking at Preet to feel that his heart was breaking.
"What did I tell you? She doesn't love you like she loves me!" Prem said triumphantly.
Suddenly a lull fell across the room and the only sound that resonated was the sound of the slap Heer had given Prem.
"You are wrong Prem, I don't love you…I loved you…past tense," Heer said. "I thought that maybe I had been wrong to judge you, but clearly I wasn't. I was right to think you were an egotistical, self-centered jerk who thought he deserved everything he wanted. You are wrong; you don't deserve anything, especially the love of the little boy upstairs. Preet may not be his father biologically, but he deserves to be called 'daddy' more than you do."
"Heer…" Prem tried to say something.
"No, I don't want to hear it! Get out!" she yelled, "Get out of my house, my life…stay away from me, stay away from Aarav!"
"I'm…"Prem began to say.
"I suggest you get out right this minute before I do something to you" Balraj said, "If I see you anywhere near my daughter or grandson, so help me God, I'll kill you with my bare hands."
Prem couldn't wrap his head around what had just happened in the last minute or two; things had gone from nearly perfect to completely destroyed in a matter of moments. Seeing that there was nothing else for him to do, he left the Maan residence with his shoulders slumping.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Heer watched Prem leave and couldn't hold back her tears anymore. Her mother and father excused themselves saying they would check on Aarav to make sure he hadn't heard anything; Meher and Ashlesha quietly went to their rooms without another word. Once they were alone Heer finally turned to look at Preet.
"Preet, I'm…" she began to say.
"Don't," Preet said as he held up a hand, "I need to get some air," he finished, looking a bit dazed.
Before Heer knew it, Preet had his car keys in his hand and was headed towards the door.
"Preet what Prem said wasn't true, I don't…" she tried to justify herself but Preet once again cut in.
"I know, I know…I just…I need some air," he said, "I'll see you tomorrow."
Heer tried to stop him but it was no use. Just as he was about to step out of the house, Preet stopped and walked back towards Heer and took her into a hug. When he pulled out he stared into her eyes and gave her a soft, loving kiss before he finally walked out, but not before whispering "I love you."
Hours had passed and Heer was still sitting up in the living room curled up on the couch. Heer was sitting there but inside she was restless for some reason. She just couldn't seem to settle down or calm down; she was at edge. It was already 3 in the morning and still there was no call or anything from Preet. Heer had repeatedly called his cell but didn't get an answer. She knew he was hurting, not only because of what Prem had said, but also because of what she hadn't said.
After being awake for nearly 24 hours, Heer felt her eyes begin to droop in heaviness and sleep deprivation. She was almost asleep when the shrill ring of her cell phone brought her back from the brink. She scrambled to answer her phone, she was sure it was Preet.
"Hello, Preet?" she asked as she answered the call. "Who is this?" she asked as some lady came on to the other end.
"Is this Ms. Heer Maan?" the stranger asked.
"Y…yes this is? Who is this?" Heer asked confused.
"I am officer Lydia Sorensen, I regret to inform you that there has been a accident," she said.
"What?! Oh my God? When…who?" Heer asked when she realized she didn't even know who the lady was talking about.
"A vehicle registered to a Mr. Prem Jhuneja was involved in a side impact collision."
"Oh God," Heer said.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
4 Days Later:
Heer sat alone on one of the huge boulder like rocks that over looked the water. She stared out at the waves crashing onto the shore with force, she listened to the calls of the birds over head, she even felt the heat of the sun beating down on her. However, that wasn't the only thing she felt; she felt numb, hurt and piercing pain all at the same time. Most of all, she felt alone, she felt so alone that she wanted to die. She never thought that this amount of pain was possible; she never thought that she would be in so much pain. Heer had thought that the hardest trials of her life were over, but she had been wrong.
Heer sat on the boulder dressed in black, sunglasses hiding the fresh tears that trailed along her pale face; Heer felt lost, how else should she feel after she buried her best friend, the one person that meant everything to her after her son…how else could she feel after burying Preet……………………………
JAZ
ps:...how'd you like the twist...you'll have to wait for next installment to find otu what happened.......😉 is Preet really "dead" 😛😛
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
