Fatima's Cozy Corner - Page 57

Originally posted by: suan

Love this chapter, Fatima!👍🏼

Love Preet, the professional.

Bakshi...😉

Can't wait to see what happens when Preet and Meher meet. 😊

Originally posted by: -Eris-

fatima 🤗 i never knew you were such an awesome writer 😲👏 👏

No i have not started jab we met yet but I read memories of a childhood and dear funny is an understatement 👍🏼.. i had tears in my eyes .. the banter between the father and son .. the chandni comment was the cherry for me and poor preet feigning a heart attack 🤣.. ait was so beautifully written ...

I even read dus bahane karke le gaye dil and dear its like i was watching a chick flick so descriptive .. such a light hearted romantic, cute sweet one .. if u ever write something in that criteria again, pl do send me a pm mentioning it so i ll be here sooner .. I am a very lazy reader and a lazier reviewer.. so i ll be here earlier if u mention that 😆 i ll read the other works soonish .. but coming to DBKLGD i was floored .. the tricks Preet tries to come close to Meher were hilarious and actually following something from a magazine was soo cute .. I was grinning like an idiot for a long time after reading it 😆

Thank u for writing dear its a pleasure reading ur stories 🤗

Originally posted by: -Eris-

^^ I saw ur comments on Chanda and Rakjumar and concluded we have similar tastes so decided to see Meet scenes .. and I was hooked .. they have amazing chemistry ...I liked the actress .. saw her on Yeh ashiqui on bindass with Siddharth .. Oh and the creations .. I have already made one siggy 😆... will post it in the next update

Chapter 5 - Ghuseeli Haseena

Link to: Table of Contents

Note: In English Ghuseeli Haseena translates to Angry Beauty 😆

Preet was in his room getting ready for a night out with Prem, Nihal, and some other friends. The Juneja house was going to be full of ladies tonight. Ordinarily, that would not have been such a bad thing, except that tonight, more than half of them would be aunties gossiping non-stop, clambering over each other for their turn at getting their hands made up with mendhi designs. And the other half would be their daughters, trying to get him to notice them.

Matches may be made in heaven, but then again so were thunder, lightening, tornadoes, and hail. There was no way Preet was going to stick around and fall prey to his mother or anyone else for that matter trying to plan his future for him. Besides, he had Nihal to think about. Nihal was marrying his sister, but he was still a guy. And as a fellow member of the male species. Preet felt obligated to help his future Jiju savor one of few remaining chances of freedom he had left. Freedom he was soon going to be giving up. And it was also one more chance for Preet to save himself.

Meanwhile...

Meher was in the kitchen with Heer. Together, they whipped up several large bowls of mendhi.

"There", said Heer, as she put the packets of unused mendhi away and wiped the kitchen counter clean of any powdery residue. "I think we have enough for now, but I'll leave these packets out here just in case we have to make some more".

Heer handed Meher a bowl, then carefully picked up the one Veera's mother-in-law had sent over for the bride. They both carried the mendhi back to the living room and joined in with the others in preparing cones for application.

"Meher, can you please bring another bowl of mendhi from the kitchen?" asked Heer. "Oh and some paper towels too".

"Sure Didi", smiled Meher, as she rushed back to the kitchen. Once there, she carefully tucked a roll of paper towels under each arm and then slowly carried the bowl back out towards the large living room area.

Preet, meanwhile, finished combing his hair, looked himself over just once more, then headed down stairs. I better let Nihal know we're on our way, he thought. He was fumbling around in his pocket for his cell phone when he collided with Meher at the base of the stairs. They both fell, with the bowl full of mendhi emptying completely on Preet.

"Ugh! What the hell is going on here?!" yelled Preet, as he got up and tried to shake the gobs of sticky green stuff off himself.

"Oh my God!" cried Meher, as she covered her mouth with her hands. "I'm so sorry! I swear I didn't see you coming".

"Tum?!" said Preet glaring angrily at Meher. "I should have known! Tumhari aankhein hain ya button?!" (Do you have eyes or buttons?)

In a panic, Meher attempted to wipe off some mendhi with the paper towels she was holding, but only wound up smudging his shirt further.

"No don't! Don't do that! You're making it worse ...just leave it okay!" Preet said in agitation.

"You don't have to be rude", said Meher. "I said I was sorry".

"Preet? Meher?" said Heer, as she, Kulraj, and Maya approached the 2. "Is everything alright? What happened?"

"Nothing's alright Heer Bhabi", Preet complained. "Look what this girl did to my clothes...my shoes...my hair!"

"It was an accident", explained Meher. "He was on the phone and I was so focused on making sure I didn't drop the bowl of mendhi that I guess we didn't see each other coming".

"Oh sure, try to shift the blame for your carelessness on me!" cried Preet. "I'll bet you did this on purpose just to get back at me for what happened between us the other day".

"And just what happened between you 2 the other day?" asked Gaytri, joining the group.

"Um...Uh...nothing Ma", Preet answered quickly.

Meher frowned at him in response.

"Heh Heh...Meher, why don't you just apologize?" suggested Maya.

"I already did", sighed Meher, "but he insists on throwing a tantrum and point accusing fingers at me like a 3 year old".

"Well maybe that's because I'm the one covered from head to toe in stinky, green gook!" cried Preet.

"Well it smells a lot better than that awful cologne you're wearing", replied Meher. "What did you do dump the entire bottle on yourself?"

"Oh wow!" remarked Preet. "And who's behaving like a 3 year old now?"

"Guys! Guys! Relax...", interrupted Heer. "Um...Preet, shouldn't you worry about getting that mendhi off you?"

"Oh crap!" Preet cried in a panic, "I totally forgot about that. I better get this gook cleaned off me before it leaves red splotches all over my face. Else I won't be fit to be seen at my own sister's wedding! And I'll only have you to thank for it! There goes my evening!" He glared angrily at Meher again before running back upstairs to his room.

"Hai Bhagwan! Kitna drama karta hai ye ladka", said Gaytri. (Oh God! How dramatic this boy can be). "Kishan! Ramu! Please come here and clean up this mess, before someone steps in it by mistake. Heer Beta, why don't you go tell Prem there's been a change of plans in the outing with the guys tonight. He'll let Nihal and the others know. Kulraj Beta, please mix up another bowl of mehndi. Meher and Maya, please go keep Veera company. And I'll go see if Preet needs any help getting that mehndi off him".

"I'm so sorry Aunty Ji", said Meher. "I didn't mean to spoil anyone's evening".

"Oh don't worry about it dear", smiled Gaytri. "And don't take Preet's words to heart either. He can always take Nihal out some other time".

Maya watched everyone walk away, before speaking up. "Well Meher, you certainly know how to leave your mark on a guy", she chuckled.

"Maya please...don't even start", warned Meher. "It's bad enough that Preet Juneja has spoiled my mood for the entire evening...on top of that...you were pushing me to apologize even after I had already done so".

"Meher you're forgetting, we're guests in his house", said Maya.

"I know Maya", said Meher. "But look how understanding his mother was about the whole thing, and look how he behaves. I mean, it was just an accident. Aur galti jitni meri thi uski bhi thi. (It was his mistake just as much as it was mine) Still I apologized. Per woh to aise chilla raha tha jaise maine uspe mehndi nahin goober gira diya ho!" (But he was screaming as if I had dumped manure on him instead of mendhi).

"Okay okay", laughed Maya, "just forget about it. Kuch dinoo ki baat hai. Bas...thoda sa lehaz kar lo". (It's only a matter of a few more days. Just be a little more considerate)

Lehaz nahin...bardasht, thought Meher. Then she'd never have to see Preet Juneja again. (Not considerate...tolerate)

The next few days flew by in a flash, with one ceremony after the other. Meher did her best to avoid running into Preet. Finally it was the day before the wedding, and as the family gathered around the table for lunch, Preet announced that he and Prem had arranged a cocktail party that evening at their hotel for Nihal, Veera and their friends. He also made a point to single out Meher and say that she could come too as long as she promised not to ruin things by spilling anything on him.

Meher walked into her room fuming in anger. "Of all the inconsiderate, humiliating, badtameez (rude) things for Preet Juneja to do...this one really takes the cake!" She cried.

"Come on Meher", said Maya, as she followed her friend into their room. "You're making a mountain out of a mole hill".

"That's easy for you to say", complained Meher. "You're not at the receiving end of his insults. That's it...I'm not going anywhere tonight".

"You can't do that!" Said Maya.

"Why not?" asked Meher.

"Because we're guests here", argued Maya. "Heer, Kulraj, Veera...they've all been so kind and hospitable. How will it look if we reject their invitation all of a sudden?"

"Since when did 'We' come into the equation? I'm not stopping you from going", said Meher.

"I know", said Maya, as she put her arm around Meher's shoulders. "But we're friends. How do you expect me to enjoy myself if I know you'll be sitting here sulking all by yourself?"

"I will not be sulking", protested Meher.

"You know there will be other people at the party", sighed Maya, ignoring her friend's remark. "People to dance with...people to chat up a storm with. I mean, it's not like you're going to have to stick to Preet Juneja like glue. You probably won't even have to look at him. I really did want to go to this cocktail party tonight. I've never been inside a luxury hotel before...with people of such high society. But...it's okay. I don't have to see how the other half lives. Yup...it's settled. I won't go unless you do. I'll just sit here and sulk along with you, or we can always have a lovely time doing our nails, playing dumb charades or something or the other. Who needs to be at the most happening party in town? Not little old me".

Meher looked at her friend's pouting face and rolled her eyes. "You're going to sit here complain all night long aren't you?" She said.

"Yup!" said Maya.

"And you're going to whine about this all the way back to Delhi aren't you?" Said Meher.

"You better believe it", said Maya. "And need I remind you that we live together too".

"Okay", said Meher, throwing her hands up in the air. "I give up. I'll go".

"Yay!" cried Maya.

"But I'm only doing this because of you", Meher reminded her.

"I know and I love you for it Meher", smiled Maya as she hugged her friend. "Now come on, let's decide what we're going to wear".

Meher shook her head as her bubbly friend began to sort through their clothes. How could she be so chirpy all the time? She wondered. Oh well, it's just one more night. Tomorrow Veera's pheras would take place and this whole ordeal would be over and done with. How much can possibly go wrong in only one more night?

Later that evening...

Meher had just returned from helping Heer and Kulraj in the kitchen. It would be time for the cocktail party soon, and she needed to get ready. She had decided to wear the pretty pink lehnga and matching shirt Heer had lent her, now all she needed was to bathe and change. But as she walked into her room, she found Maya on her way to the bathroom.

"Maya, I thought you'd be ready by now", said Meher.

"Oh sorry Meher", said Maya. "I got a call from my boyfriend, and then mom. She wanted an update of all the going ons. Then of course I had to give 30 minutes to my face pack, or else my skin wouldn't have that glow on it...you know. But don't worry. I'm on my way to shower and change right now".

"And what about me?" Asked Meher. "How am I supposed to get ready in time?"

"I'm sorry Meher", said Maya. "I know we agreed that I'd get ready first and free up the bathroom by the time you returned, but you know me, once I get on the phone I completely lose track of time. I know...why don't you ask Heer Didi if you can use another bathroom? I'm sure they have tons of them in this house. Or if you want I'll go take all of my things out of the bathroom and you can use it first".

"It's okay Maya", sighed Meher. "I'll go and talk to Heer Didi".

"Thanks Meher", smiled Maya. "You're a doll!"

Meher collected her dress, shoes, and toiletries and went back out in search of Heer. She was still in the kitchen.

"Meher, I thought you went back to your room to get ready", said Heer.

"I did", sighed Meher. "But the bathroom is occupied. Maya's going to be a while and I don't want to be late, so I was wondering if there's another washroom I could use".

"Oh sure", smiled Heer. "Just go upstairs, and take a right. You can use the room at the end of the hall".

"Thanks Didi", smiled Meher.

Meher went upstairs as Heer had instructed her, but there were 2 rooms at the end of the hall. Should she use the one on the right or left? She wondered. Meher knocked on the door to her left. No one answered. She tried the knob but the door was locked. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door to her right. Again, no one answered, but this time she found the door unlocked. She peeked in and saw that it was unoccupied. I guess this is the room Heer Didi was talking about, she decided.

Meher carefully laid her clothes on the bed, and went to the washroom. Inside the washroom she noticed that there was a 2^nd door. She looked outside the door and saw that it opened to another hallway, with many other rooms, and a staircase leading to the lower portion of the house. This really is a big house, she thought. Meher carefully locked both doors, and began to undress and bathe. A short while later, she came out feeling all clean and fresh. She dried herself carefully, wrapped a towel around her body and then slipped back into the room to get ready.

Meanwhile...

Preet came up the back stairs of the house, the shortcut to his room, and headed straight to his bathroom. He was running a bit behind schedule, but a quick shower and change and he'd be ready for the party in no time.

As he attempted to open the door to his bathroom, he was surprised to find it locked. What gives? He wondered. Maybe I forgot to undo the latch this morning. It wasn't the first time that had happened, and he knew exactly what to do. He gently jiggled the door back and forth until the old latch gave way and popped open. Works everytime, smiled Preet. As he entered the washroom, he was struck by the warm, wet temperature as well as the subtle fragrance of lilacs. Had the servants just cleaned up in here? He wondered. It certainly didn't smell like any household cleaner he was familiar with. Oh well...no time to worry about that now. Have to get ready ASAP. He took a clean towel from the rack on one side of the bathroom wall, undressed and quickly slipped into the shower.

Meher in the meantime was blowing her hair dry. It was times like these that made her question why she still kept it so long. It was getting late and it would take her little travel hair dryer forever to do the job. After what seemed like ages to her, she ran her fingers through her hair, and decided that it was dry enough. She brushed her hair thoroughly, and then pinned it up in a neat bun with some wisps dangling on either side of her face. She'd have to borrow Maya's curling iron when she went back downstairs to finish her look. Meher quickly applied a light coat of makeup, then slipped on her party clothes. She was still struggling with the zip on her top when Preet walked out of the bathroom, with nothing but a towel draped around his waist.

"Ahhh!!" Both screamed as soon as they saw each other.

Meher quickly turned around to face away from Preet, but realized that her zip was still undone. In an effort to avoid exposing her back to him, she turned back towards him. Seeing him barely dressed she quickly turned around again, but then remembered her bare back. In a panic Meher froze, she couldn't think of anything else so she closed her eyes and began to wail.

"Tum! Tum yahan kya kar rahe ho?" Meher demanded, as she crossed her arms in front of herself. (You! What are you doing here?!)

"I should be asking you that question", retorted Preet, as he quickly checked to make sure his towel was secure.

"I was getting ready for the party. Heer Didi said I could use this room", sobbed Meher.

"Wait a minute!" protested Preet. "This is my room! Girls and guests are not allowed. As usual you must have made a mistake".

"Mera yahan aana hi ek mistake tha", sobbed Meher. "This is all Maya's fault. I never wanted to come here in the first place. If only I hadn't listened to her. Ugh! I just want to dig a hole and crawl into it!" (My coming here was a mistake).

"Okay...look...will you please stop crying...and just...leave? I mean there is no need to make such a big deal about this", said Preet, as he passed his hand over his face.

"You'd cry too if someone walked in on you while you were undressed", sobbed Meher. Just then she remembered her dupatta was lying on the bed. With her eyes still closed and one hand extended, she felt her way to the bed, located her dupatta and promptly wrapped it around herself.

"Trust me, you have a lot more on than I do", chuckled Preet as he walked towards his closet and pulled out a shirt. "Besides...I didn't even see anything...I mean...not really...except maybe that little mole about 10 inches down the center of your back".

Meher's mouth fell open. She opened her eyes and glared angrily at Preet. "You're shameless, you know that!" she said. "It's guys like you, that give your entire sex a bad name".

"Woah woah woah...hang on here just a minute!" Preet growled. With his damp hair in disarray, and his jaw clenched, he walked up to Meher, and tossed his shirt on the bed. "Just what are you implying? That I have a loose character? That I arranged this entire incident on purpose? That I tried to take advantage of you? What are you going to do, complain to my mother and make me marry you now to save your dignity?!"

"P-lease...mere itne bhi bure din nahi aye ke main tumse shaadi karoon", said Meher, as she tried to push past Preet. She gasped as he suddenly grabbed her by her elbow and pulled her back close to him. Close enough for her to see the water droplets still glistening on his skin. For a minute she became disoriented, and didn't know where to look. "Wha...what do you think you're doing?" she stammered. (P-lease...I'm not that desperate, that I'd consider marrying you).

"Relax", smiled Preet. "And don't get your hopes up. The beading on your dupatta is caught on my towel. You move and it's not your izzat (dignity) that will be at stake here. Now close your eyes, and whatever you do don't move and don't look down".

Meher gulped as she felt Preet's fingers graze her waist, again and again in an effort to release the beaded silver wire from his towel. She kept her eyes shut, but she could feel the color rising on her face.

Preet watched Meher turn pink and smiled. He hadn't noticed just how pretty she was before. "Don't worry ghuseeli haseena", he said, as he struggled with the wire. "I think we're almost done".

"What did you just call me?" frowned Meher.

"What? Ghuseeli haseena?" said Preet.

"Don't call me that!" cried Meher.

"Oh...so you don't like that eh?" Teased Preet. "Ghuseeli Haseena!"

"Stop it", cried Meher, "or I'll..."

"Or you'll what?" chuckled Preet.

Meher angrily pulled herself and her dupatta away from Preet yanking his towel open in the process, and ran out of the room as fast as she could.

Preet hopped about on one foot as he fumbled to tie his towel back around his waist. He was going to say something to Meher, but realized she was already gone. Just then he heard snickers coming from his door. It was Ketan and Vikas, Kuldi's 2 little boys.

"Heh heh. Hey guys...how's it going? Um...you're not going to tell anyone about this...are you? Main tumhe chocolates doon ga", whimpered Preet in a feeble attempt to bribe his nephews. (I'll give you some chocolates)

The grins on the children's faces exploded into full mischievous smiles, and they ran down the hall shouting at the top of their lungs, "We saw London we saw France. We saw Preet Mamu without his underpants".

Preet passed his hand over his face in frustration, but there was nothing he could do about Ketan or Vikas now. He quickly got dressed and headed out of his room. He was met by Heer in the hallway.

"Hey Heer Bhabi, where is PB?" He asked.

"The guys are already waiting downstairs", smiled Heer.

Preet looked at his bhabi. He could swear she was struggling to keep from laughing. On the stairs they were met by Kulraj and Veera. Preet noticed that, they seemed to be grinning more than usual. Kulraj was giving him strange looks too.

Of course, fumed Preet, why wouldn't she be giving me strange looks? After all, her children had been running around announcing to whoever would listen that their Mamu had flashed them.

Prem and Kiran were waiting downstairs. "Come on everyone, let's go, we're getting late", urged Prem. "We want to get there before Nihal and his friends do".

"Don't worry PB", said Preet. "We've got enough cars at our disposal that we won't have to make any trips back to pick anyone up. Plus I know a shortcut...we'll be there in a flash".

At the sound of the word flash, Heer, Kulraj, and Veera burst out laughing.

Grrr! Thought Preet. This is all Meher's fault. Wait until I get my hands on her.

Hope you all liked the update. Please do remember to leave your feedback or at least hit the like button.

Credit: Some of Meet's dialogues were inspired by Dil Bole Hadipa.