Fatima's Cozy Corner - Page 55

Happy Birthday to my dearest sweetest Preetu ...

Chapter 4 - Jab they Met

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A few days later...

Preet stifled a yawn as he slowly climbed the stairs leading to the upper story of the Juneja's vast mansion in Ludhiana. Signs of weariness were evident on his face. He had returned home just 2 days ago, and his mother already had him running around doing all sorts of errands. But that was expected, he thought, smiling to himself. After all, his younger sister Veera had decided to take the big plunge into the ferocious territory known as matrimony. And their mother was hell bent on giving her baby girl the biggest, fattest, Indian wedding Ludhiana had ever seen.

The fact that Veera was getting married didn't come as a surprise to Preet. Kulraj Di had taken the plunge several years ago, so had his brother Prem. But Veera, she was a hopeless romantic from the get go. Getting married was the only thing she had ever dreamt of. Fortunately she had found a nice guy. What was his Jiju to be's name? He tried to recall. Nihal. He was apparently the son of some childhood friend of Ma's from Ambala, and even had his own accounting firm in Ludhiana.

Ma was grateful that her youngest wouldn't be moving too far away from her. Veera also seemed quite happy, so in the end that was all that mattered to Preet. The only thing he didn't like was how his mother was now constantly reminding him that he was the only one left. Even Kulraj Didi was urging him to find someone before she and her family returned to Toronto. As if that was a good enough reason for him to get married. This was his whole life they were talking about, not a 2 for one sale at the local mall.

Geez! Thought Preet. Women...they all think alike. But he wouldn't cave in so easily. He still had to make a name for himself in the business world, still had a thing or 2 to prove. He also had yet to score a date with Ash, but just a date, nothing serious. A girl that could make Preet Juneja go crazy enough to give up his freedom, probably hadn't even been born yet.

Still lost in his thoughts, Preet had just reached the top of the stairs, when he accidently bumped into a young girl. "Hey watch it!" He cried.

"Sorry", said Meher. "I was in a bit of a hurry".

"Yeah well you almost knocked me over!" grumbled Preet. He looked over the girl carefully. She was tall, fair, pretty, with her hair pulled back into a braid. She was dressed neatly, but simply. He had seen her earlier in the day too, doing various errands around the house. A new servant perhaps, he thought.

"I said I was sorry", said Meher, smiling apologetically. "Lekin...aap giray to nahin na?" (But it's not like you fell or anything right?)

Preet's mouth fell open. But before he could retort, Meher ran off giggling to herself. Hmph! A servant girl that talks backs! He'd have to complain to Ma about her. But right now he had to finish the task at hand. Preet yawned again as he walked down the hall to his mother's room, she had asked him to take some kangan (bangles) to the jewelers for cleaning. Once in the room, Preet headed straight for his mother's dressing table, but he found no jewelry box there.

Maybe it's in one of the drawers, he thought, as he quickly checked through them. But he found nothing. All the cabinets seemed to be locked, and Ma said she left the kangan on the dresser, so where could they be? Wait a minute! Thought Preet. That girl that just passed me on the stairs, she sure was in a hurry. Could she possibly have taken them? Only one way to find out.

Preet quickly ran back down the hall towards the stairs in search of the girl. He didn't have to look far. There she was, setting up some flowers in a vase, on a table near the base of the stairs.

"Hey you!" cried Preet. "What were you doing upstairs?"

"What?" asked Meher, taken aback by his sudden questioning.

"Don't play innocent with me", said Preet. "I saw you coming from upstairs. We bumped into each other on the stairs, remember? What were you doing there?"

"What business is that of yours?" retorted Meher.

"It becomes my business, when some stranger is roaming around in my house, and then something goes missing from the very area that she was seen in not more than 5 minutes ago!" said Preet.

"What are you talking about?" Meher asked in surprise.

"I'm talking about the kangan my mom left on her dressing table", replied Preet. "I was supposed to take them to the jewelers and now they're gone".

Meher's facial expressions changed from surprise upon realizing who Preet was, and then shock as to what he was implying. "Are you accusing me of stealing them?" She cried. "Why would I do that?"

"Look...all I know is that no one else was upstairs other than you" said Preet.

"But..." began Meher.

"Those are no ordinary kangan. They hold a lot of sentimental value", continued Preet. "They belonged to my gandmother, and my mom was going to give them to my sister as a wedding gift. So...come on, just hand them over, and I won't complain to Ma about her new servant girl being a thief".

"Servant girl? Complain? This is ridiculous!" said Meher, as she attempted to walk away. Preet grabbed her wrist as she passed by tugging firmly enough to bring her a step back towards him.

"Ow!" Meher cried, as she struggled to break free from his grip.

"You think that hurts?" Preet growled, "Just wait until I call the police!"

"Look, there seems to be some sort of a misunderstanding here", said Meher, her eyes brimming with tears, "I didn't steal anything. I'm not a thief".

Preet was about to say something, when a familiar voice called out his name. Much to Meher's relief, he released her from his grip.

"Preet", said Kulraj, "where did you wander off to? Ma kab se tumhe dhoond rahi hai". (Ma has been looking for you).

"Han Kul Di", replied Preet. "I had to take some jewelry to the shop for cleaning but it's apparently missing. I saw this servant girl wandering around upstairs, but she refuses to admit that she took it".

"Servant girl?" said Kulraj. "Preet, this is not a servant! This is Meher. She's a friend of Veera's!"

"And she wasn't alone upstairs", added Veera, as she and Maya came down the stairs and joined the group. "She was with me in my room, helping me pick an outfit to wear. She got bored and decided to go downstairs to see if she could help out in setting up for the engagement party tonight".

"Oh", said Preet, "but that doesn't explain what happened to the kangan".

"You mean Grandma's heirloom kangan?" asked Kulraj. "The one's mom told you to take to the jeweler's over an hour ago?"

"Yeah well...I stopped by the kitchen to grab a bite to eat", explained Preet. "And then I got a couple of phone calls from some friends...so I got a little sidelined...but that's irrelevant, because they're gone. And this girl...".

"Meher. Her name is Meher", said Veera.

"Whatever...", said Preet rolling his eyes.

"Preet, the kangan are gone because I took them", explained Kulraj. "One of the workers from the jewelers stopped by to deliver some sets Ma had ordered. She knew you hadn't left yet and thought it would save you a trip so she told me to get them and she gave it to the delivery boy to take back to the shop with him".

"Oh", said Preet.

"I think you owe Meher an apology", insisted Veera.

Preet sighed and turned towards Meher. She was visibly upset and still rubbing her wrist from where he had held her so tightly. "Look I'm sorry...um...Meher...right? I had no idea who you were. It was an honest mistake. I mean the kangan were missing and look how you're dressed. I just assumed..."

Meher's mouth fell open.

"Preet are you apologizing or adding insult to injury?" cried Kulraj. "Now be a good boy and apologize properly or else I'll have to tell Ma about your rude behavior towards Meher".

"Rude?! I didn't do it on purpose. It was an honest mistake", protested Preet. But he was met with unsympathetic glares from both his sisters. "Acha meri ma-oon" sighed Preet, slapping both his hand together. "I'm sorry I accused Meher of stealing. I'm sorry for assuming she was a servant. Anything else? Kaan pakdoo? Uthak baithak karoon? Geez!" he cried, as he walked away shaking his head. "A guy just can't get a break around here!" (Okay mommy dearest. Anything else? Should I hold my ears? Do sit-ups?)

"I'm so sorry Meher", said Veera, as she put her arm around Meher. "Preet Bhaiya is really a nice guy. You'll see once you get to know him better. I don't know why he's in such a cranky mood today".

"I think it has something to do with a project he's been working on, or maybe it's just the stress of the wedding", remarked Kulraj. "Still, that was no way for him to behave. I'm sorry too".

"It's okay. You needn't apologize", said Meher, giving the sisters a weak smile. "It was just a misunderstanding".

"Well then, why don't you and Maya take a break, or start getting ready for tonight's party", suggested Kulraj. "You need to start getting ready too Veera. Come on, let's go find Heer, we'll need her help too".

Meher waited for the sisters to walk off before turning to her friend. "Come on Maya let's go".

Maya didn't respond. Her gaze was fixed in the direction Preet Juneja had just walked off into.

"Maya!" cried Meher.

"Huhn?! Oh sorry Meher. What were you saying?" asked Maya.

"I was saying...", began Meher.

"Did you see him Meher?" interrupted Maya. "Wasn't he like the most amazingly handsome guy you've ever seen?"

"He was a jerk!" Meher replied flatly.

"Veera was saying something about one of her brother's flying in from some place for the wedding. I think he may be foreign returned", continued Maya.

"Oh? A foreign jerk", added Meher.

"And that smile..." said Maya.

"Looked more like a snarl to me", commented Meher.

"Hai Rabba! It was to die for!" sighed Maya.

"I sure would have like to kill him", mumbled Meher.

"And he actually spoke to you...", said Maya getting excited.

"He accused me of stealing", Meher corrected her.

"And held your hand...", added Maya.

"More like almost broke it", said Meher.

"It's a sign from God I tell you!" concluded Maya.

"A what?!?" Meher cried in surprise.

"A sign from God!" insisted Maya. "I tell you Meher, matches may be made in heaven, but a lot of them get made at other people's weddings".

"Maya!" cried Meher. "I always suspected it, but now I'm convinced. You are crazy! Now are you coming back to our room or not?"

"Not!" replied Maya. "I have to go find him and see what else I can learn about him".

Meher shook her head in disbelief and slowly walked back to her room in the guest house. Once there, she closed the door behind her, and quietly sat on the bed. She had never been so humiliated in all her life. A servant girl? A thief? How could he have thought so low of her? He didn't even know who she was, so how could he have just assumed such things about her? Uff! Why had she let Maya convince her to come? And how was she going to tolerate spending an entire week here?

Meher stood up and took out the suitcase she and Maya had packed their party clothes in. Hers weren't going to be as fancy as Maya's, but they'd do. Besides, there were so many people coming and going in the Juneja house that she'd quietly blend into the background.

Meher went through the outfits one by one, carefully placing Maya's things on one side of the bed. She was almost half way through the suitcase when she began to panic. Where was her stuff? She distinctly remembered giving Maya 3 outfits to pack, but not a single one was here. She didn't forget to add them to her stuff did she? Of course...Maya had been on the phone...perhaps she wasn't paying attention. Uff Maya! How could you be so careless?!? Meher covered her face with her hands, and the tears she had been controlling up till now began to pour out. Just then there was a knock on the door.

"Meher? Are you alright?" someone called out.

Meher quickly wiped her tears and turned to smile towards the young woman that was approaching her. "Han Heer Didi", she said.

Heer was Veera's bhabi. She was sensible, gentle, and very kind. Meher had taken a liking to her the moment they had met. The fact that she was originally from Ambala, also helped to make an instant connect between them.

"Were you crying?" Heer asked. Her voice was full of concern.

"Nahin Didi...woh...bas...aankh mein kuch chala gaya tha", lied Meher. (No. Somehting just went into my eye).

"Meher", smiled Heer, "you know you're not a very good liar. Does this have anything to do with the clash you had with Preet just now?"

Meher looked up at Heer in surprise.

"Veera told me", explained Heer. "You know he's really a wonderful person once you get to know him. I don't want to sound like I'm justifying his behavior, but he is under a lot of stress these days. It's all work related. If you want I'll go talk to him".

"Oh no", said Meher, "it's okay, really".

"Well...If it's not Preet, then what else is bothering you?" asked Heer. "Anything I can do to help?"

"I don't know", sighed Meher. "I'm afraid the outfits I was supposed to bring for the wedding got left behind by mistake. I don't have anything good enough to wear for any of the wedding events now. Going back to Delhi is out of the question. I don't know what to do".

"Is that all?" said Heer. "Wait...I'll be right back".

A short while later, Heer was back in the room. Meher watched her carefully lay out several outfits on the bed before her.

"With so many women in the house, there's no shortage of clothes", laughed Heer. She picked out 3 outfits and handed them to Meher. "Here...these look to be about your size".

"They're all so beautiful", smiled Meher, "but I couldn't possibly impose on you like that".

"Yes you can", laughed Heer. "We still have so many functions to go through, the engagement tonight, mehndhi, sangeet, and the wedding reception. Veera is the baby of the family, and there will be no compromising as far as her wedding is concerned. That includes making sure everyone is dressed to the nines".

Meher nodded and offered Heer a weak smile.

"Well, I've still got a million and one things to do back in the house, so I'll see you later", said Heer. "If you need anything else, just let me know".

Meher watched Heer walk away, then quietly sat down to admire the outfits again. The Junejas were wonderfully generous people, she decided. Well...all except one of them.

Hope you all liked it. 😛 Complete credit goes to the original Kis Desh writers...I just revamped things here and there 😆

Please do leave your feedback or at least hit the like button. See Ya next week.

Chapter 5 Precap: Find out why Preet nicknames Meher "Ghuseeli Hassena" 😆

Link to next chapter: Chapter 5

Me first to comment!!

Grrr.. Preet.. you oaf... aise kaise kood gaye aise hi kisi par.. your sisters should have actually made you do sacchi ka uthak baithak in front of Meher. :-P LOL

Now Preet has got on Meher's wrong side already. And lagta hai next part mein it's just going to get worse.

The convo between Maya and Meher was funny! Maya seems a little dumb-crazy-romantic.. haha!

Waiting for the next part!

simply superb oh god you are hilarious meher maya convo was so damn funny and preet was rude to meher poor her but I like their nok jhok which I'm pakka sure next chapter will have waiting anxiously

wow great story plz update soon
it's awesome
thanks for the pm

Originally posted by: ummesulaiman

Nice to see you back Siti...it's been a while since I read a comment from you. Glad you're liking the story so far. 🤗

aww so sweet of u sis...n i love to read ur new FF...was missing ur written soo much after Aadha Ishq.. 🤗

and u i think u didnt PM me for the chapter 3 sis...thank god i've noticed that i am missing 1 chapter to be read..hehe 😉

Originally posted by: ctnabilah

aww so sweet of u sis...n i love to read ur new FF...was missing ur written soo much after Aadha Ishq.. 🤗

and u i think u didnt PM me for the chapter 3 sis...thank god i've noticed that i am missing 1 chapter to be read..hehe 😉

Okay so yeah a very interesting meeting...reminded me of something :P...

Originally posted by: Rhea_401

Okay so yeah a very interesting meeting...reminded me of something :P...

Cnt wait fr their love story to begin...n ghuseeela haseena...lol hw cum u came wid dat(

Originally posted by: nikitagmc

Me first to comment!!

Grrr.. Preet.. you oaf... aise kaise kood gaye aise hi kisi par.. your sisters should have actually made you do sacchi ka uthak baithak in front of Meher. :-P LOL

😆

Now Preet has got on Meher's wrong side already. And lagta hai next part mein it's just going to get worse.

You bet 😆 😆

The convo between Maya and Meher was funny! Maya seems a little dumb-crazy-romantic.. haha!

She is...but she's sweet

Waiting for the next part!