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A few days later...
"Hey Meher, I'm home", Preet called out.
"Hi Preet!" smiled Meher, as she greeted him in the living room. "I wasn't expecting you back so soon".
"Yeah well I got tired of staring at the same 4 walls and decided to come home early", said Preet. He put his briefcase down, then proceeded to the dining table with a bag he was holding in his other hand. "Besides, I hate how you're always eating late because you're waiting for me to get home. I thought we could have a regular, normal, on time dinner tonight for a change, and maybe spend some quality time together".
"Quality time? You and me?" said Meher.
"Yup. But no cooking tonight", said Preet. "I picked up some stuff on the way home".
Meher watched as he began to empty the bag and place several containers on the table.
"I got all your favorites", continued Preet. "Traffic was atrocious on the commute back, so we'll definitely have to reheat some of this up. I also picked up some DVDs. Hollywood for me and Bollywood for you, but we'll watch in whatever order you like".
"Wow...that's really sweet of you Preet. But...um...I had plans for tonight", Meher said apologetically.
"Plans?" said Preet, only now realizing that she was indeed dressed to go out.
"Yes. Sam and I are getting together with some of her other friends. We were going to catch some dinner and a movie. Sort of like a girls night out".
"Oh", said Preet, disappointment evident in his voice.
"Um...do you want to join us?" asked Meher. "I can call and ask the girls. I'm sure they won't mind".
"No, it's alright" said Preet.
"Well then...would you like to call Gaurav Bhaiya and ask him to come over?" Meher asked.
"Meher we already spent the whole day staring at each others sorry faces", chuckled Preet. "The last thing I want is to hear more office talk".
"I'm sorry Preet. I had no idea you were going to come home early and...", Meher said feeling guilty.
"Oh...hey...no need to apologize Meher. You have every right to go and have fun with your friends", said Preet, as he picked up the little cat that had just come over to welcome him. "Don't worry about me. I'll just...uh...spend some male bonding time with Romeo here. And if I get bored I'll go rearrange my sock drawer".
"Preet", sighed Meher.
"Look I was just kidding", said Preet. "Go and have a great time".
"You sure?" asked Meher.
"Yes. Of course I'm sure", said Preet, offering her a fake smile. "In fact, it'll be nice to have the place to myself for a change".
"Okay. If you say so", Meher said, shrugging her shoulders. Just then her phone rang. "Hi Sam. Yes I'll be right down. That was Sam. The girls are waiting downstairs. I'll try not to be home too late".
Preet nodded as he watched her pick up her purse and walk out the door.
Great! Preet grumbled to himself. I leave work early, battle traffic jams and bring home her favorite food, even offer to watch DDLJ...and she'd rather hang out with her girlfriends. Women! I'll never understand them. "Hey buddy", he said to Romeo. "I guess it's just you and me tonight". The kitten meowed at him before running away. Feeling deflated and unappreciated, Preet loosened his tie and plopped himself down on the sofa.
Not more than 10 minutes had passed that the front door sprang open, and Meher walked in holding 2 small cups. "Okay, I've got the ice cream", she declared. "Let see what you brought home for dinner".
"Meher", smiled Preet. "You came back?"
"Of course I came back", giggled Meher. "I can hang out with the girls anytime. But it's not every day that the Great Preet Juneja takes the time out from his busy schedule to treat me to dinner and a movie. Besides, I hated to leave you here sulking all by yourself".
"I was not sulking", said Preet. "Disappointed maybe...but definitely not sulking".
"Yeah right", said Meher. "Now are you going to freshen up? Because I'm really hungry. And you better not complain if I want to see Kuch Kuch Hota Hai right after DDLJ".
Preet broke out into a smile, nodded his head, and headed to his room.
A short while later...
Preet walked into the kitchen and found Meher already there getting dinner warmed up.
"Hey Meher, you weren't supposed to do anything tonight", he said.
"It's okay Preet, I'm just microwaving stuff", said Meher.
"No no...just go sit at the table and I'll take care of everything", insisted Preet.
"Are you sure?" asked Meher.
"Of course, I'm sure", said Preet. "You're forgetting that I was living out here for 2 years before you moved in. I know my way around my own kitchen".
"Preet, you said you were living on take out 90% of the time. And the rest was the food your mom would stockpile in your freezer when she'd come over for a visit", chuckled Meher.
"Yeah...but tonight qualifies as a take out night, right?" said Preet. "So I can manage".
"Okay, then I'll go set the table", suggested Meher. She took out some plates and glasses from the kitchen cabinet and went out to the dining room. Preet soon followed bringing out the containers of the warm food one by one.
"Last container is in the micro", said Preet. "I'll chop up some salad in the meantime".
"Becareful Preet", Meher called out. "I just had those knives sharpened".
"Come on Meher", Preet called back from the kitchen. "I'm not totally incompetent you know. I can make salad and...Yeow!"
Meher heard Preet cry out in pain, and raced to the kitchen. Sure enough, she found him whimpering with his index finger in his mouth.
"What happened? Are you alright?" she asked with concern in her voice.
"It's bleeding", whined Preet, as he showed her his wounded finger.
Meher took Preet by the hand and led him to the sink, washed his cut and then looked over his finger, as a small bead of blood began to form on it again.
"I think I need stitches", said Preet.
"Preet, it's just a little cut", giggled Meher. "Nothing a band-aid and some ointment can't fix". She quickly opened one of the kitchen drawers and pulled out a small first aid kit. "Here, we'll take care of it right away, and you'll be feeling better in no time".
As Meher stood close to Preet gently cradling his hand in hers, his eyes roamed her pretty features. A smile began to form on his lips as he decided that he liked the undivided attention she was giving him. When she looked up at him he immediately averted his gaze, then looked back casually, wondering if she was aware of the affect she was having on him. A smile, a laugh, a touch or even a casual glance was beginning to send his senses roaring.
"There you go", smiled Meher.
"That's it?" frowned Preet, as she released his hand from her hold.
"That's it. Unless you want me to kiss it and make it feel better", teased Meher. "Now come on...stop acting like a 3 year old. Let's eat before everything gets cold".
Preet frowned as he watched her put the first aid kit back and walk away from him. "Um...Meher...ye kis kism ki patti lagayi hai tumne? (Um...Meher...look what a poor job of bandaging you've done)", he called out, as he purposely peeled the band-aid off. "It's already coming off".
"What? How is that possible?" said Meher. Preet simply shrugged his shoulders and waved the ruined band-aid at her when she returned. "Okay...I'll just put another one on".
Preet smiled as she took his hand in hers again and promptly secured another band-aid around his cut. As soon as she left the kitchen, he attempted to remove the band-aid again when he heard someone clear their throat. "Meher...tum?" he said as he quickly concealed his hands behind his back.
"I forgot the salad", she said, looking at him with a raised eye-brown and her arms folded.
Later...
Preet picked up the bowl of popcorn and was about to offer some to Meher, but then decided it would be better not to disturb her. He popped the last fistful of popcorn into his own mouth, then passed Meher a tissue, and watched her wipe her tear streaked face and blow her nose in the dimly lit living room. She had been crying for the last 16 minutes.
"Finally!" cried Preet. As the credits started rolling, he got up and turned on the lights.
"Oh! That was such a good movie! Don't you think so?" Meher sniffled.
"Yeah, it's okay...if you like a sop story", said Preet.
"Sop? Preet...Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is not a sop story", said Meher.
"Really?" chuckled Preet, as he came back, sat next to her, and swiped a tear from her cheek with his finger. "You could have fooled me".
"But those are happy tears", said Meher. "We got like the best happy ending ever. Even Tina's ghost was happy".
"Meher it was so unrealistic", said Preet. "Cotton candy fluff. It's the only kind of films KJo knows how to make".
"I beg to differ", said Meher. "I think you could learn a lot about relationships from KJo's movies".
"Like what?" chuckled Preet. "That a guy can date every single girl in the world, but he'll eventually come to realize that his best friend who was there all the time was in fact his one true love. Come on Meher...that's not how it happens. And that's why they call it the movies, because it's not real".
"Or maybe we learn, that guys are insensitive jerks who don't know a good thing when they see one", said Meher.
"Oh really", said Preet. "What about Aman? He totally got screwed in the end, even after investing 3 years in that relationship. You don't think Anjali was insensitive when she led him on and then dumped him at the altar?"
"No, that was Rahul's fault", said Meher. "No one would have gotten hurt if he had realized that Anjali loved him in the first place".
"Oh come on! Cut the guy some slack", said Preet. "It was the hair. It would totally gross out any guy".
"The hair?" Meher said increduously.
"Yes the hair", said Preet, as he stood up, rewound the DVD and froze it on a scene. "Look at that. It's hideous. That hair has guy buddy written all over it"
"Guy buddy?" said Meher.
"Yeah...you know the kind of girl you can dump all your dating troubles on, and give your opinion to on in season colors without getting laughed at, because she doesn't stand a chance at being anything more than just a friend", explained Preet.
"So you're basically saying a guy can't be friends with a girl unless she's unattractive", said Meher.
"Yes...", said Preet. "I mean...No".
"What does that mean?" asked Meher.
"Look let's just forget it", said Preet.
"No, we can't just forget it. I want to know what you meant", insisted Meher.
"Well...I think a guy will give just about every girl a look over at least once", admitted Preet. "After that we sort of let them fall into the appropriate category".
"So it's true what they say then. Every decision every thought every ounce of a man's behavior can be traced to a place just south of their belt buckles. That's why they're always ogling women. Ugh! That is so sick", said Meher.
"Well excuse me. I don't think it's fair for you to criminalize all men like that when it's clearly not our fault", protested Preet.
"Not your fault?" said Meher.
"Yes...it's a...testosterone thing", said Preet. "It's built in. It's not something we can put away in the medicine cabinet you know. Besides, girls stare at guys too".
"We do not!" insisted Meher.
"Yes you do", laughed Preet. "You're just much better at not getting caught".
"What?!" cried Meher.
"Yeah...it's like you guys have this photographic memory or something", explained Preet. "You take one quick look, memorize it and then put it away for later reference. Guys on the other hand are not so blessed. So we try to burn it into our memory by staring as much as we can".
"I still think that's sick", said Meher.
"That's easy for you to say, because you're a girl", said Preet. "A girl can keep her sex drive in check and retain her sanity far longer than a guy can".
"And what about us?" asked Meher.
"Us?" said Preet, suddenly caught off guard, by the shift in focus of their conversation.
"Yes us", said Meher. "Is this platonic coexistence just a facade...an elaborate dance covering up the countless sexual impulses bubbling just below the surface? Should I start locking my door at night? Or do I fall into the guy friend category because you just don't find me attractive enough?"
"I thought we were talking about Rahul and Anjali", said Preet. "How did we come into this equation all of a sudden?"
"No...we were talking about guys and girls and relationships in general", said Meher. "And...you didn't answer my question".
"There is no way I'm going to answer your question", chuckled Preet.
"Why not?" asked Meher.
"Because whatever I say...it'll be the wrong thing", said Preet. "And I'm not interested in spending the rest of the night getting beat up by a girl".
"I wouldn't beat up on you Preet", said Meher. "Not if you were being honest".
"Meher you don't have to worry about locking your door, because...I'm a nice guy", said Preet. "Your virtue is safe with me".
"That's reassuring", said Meher.
"I mean...I don't want you to get the wrong impression", continued Preet. "It's not that you're not appealing. I think you're absolutely gorgeous".
Meher raised her brows in in disbelief.
"Alright...maybe not gorgeous", said Preet. "I mean...it has been a while since I dated anyone, so I guess right now any woman looks pretty good".
Meher narrowed her eyes, and folded her arms, waiting for him to bury himself even deeper.
"Oh boy...that didn't come out right either", said Preet. "What I meant was...we agreed to live together under certain conditions, and...uh...I would never compromise your trust by taking advantage of you".
"Oh", said Meher, as she turned to go.
"On the other hand...", continued Preet, almost to himself. "If we weren't living together then maybe I'd be tempted to..."
"Be tempted to what?" asked Meher, as she turned back to face Preet.
"Huhn? Uh...nothing", stammered Preet. "I mean...uh...well..."
"Well what?" demanded Meher.
"Well...uh...well is just a word I sometimes start my sentences with", said Preet.
"Preet...you're dodging my question", said Meher. She pointed a finger accusingly at him. "You started to say something, now go ahead and finish it".
"Are you kidding", Preet chuckled nervously. "I think I've put my foot in my mouth enough for one night. Besides, you've got your hair pulled back into a fierce pony tail. You look like you're ready to climb into a boxing ring. I better keep my mouth shut if I know what's good for me".
"Okay", said Meher, as she untied her hair and let it fall loosely around her shoulders. "How's this? Do I look less intimidating now?"
"Meher...this is not fair", said Preet.
"Just answer the question Preet", said Meher, as she poked him in the side with her finger. "You'd be tempted to do what?"
"Meher stop", said Preet.
"First answer the question", insisted Meher, as she jabbed him again.
"Meher...I'm warning you", cried Preet, as he tried to shield himself from her jabs.
"Just answer it", chuckled Meher.
As she reached out and attempted to poke him again, Preet surprised her by suddenly grabbing her hands and pulling her close to him. He looked into her startled brown eyes and for a moment he forgot to breathe. The warmth of her being so close to him, had set his heart pounding.
"You really want to know what I think?" he finally asked, as he let his eyes slowly roam her face once again. "I think...I like your hair loose like that. And...I think...you're an amazing person Meher Maan. It feels real nice just being around you".
Meher saw how he was looking at her and immediately felt her cheeks flush under the pressure of his gaze. Seeing her reaction, Preet shook his head, looked away, and immediately put some space between them.
"Whoa...that was kind of awkward", said Preet as he exhaled loudly.
"Yeah...um...real awkward", agreed Meher.
"Meher I'm sorry", said Preet. "I didn't mean to ..."
"No, it's my fault really", Meher said quickly. "I shouldn't have prodded you like that..."
There was a brief silence before Preet spoke up again. "Um...I'm going to go see if we have any ice cream left in the freezer", he said. "You want some?"
"Actually I think it's getting late", said Meher. "I'm just going to turn in".
"Sure", said Preet. "...and...I'll...uh...make myself comfortable on that sofa".
Preet watched Meher walk off towards the bedroom and close the door behind her. Ugh!! He felt like kicking himself. How could he lose control of his emotions like that?! Meher was his friend. They were helping each other out. She trusted him, and the last thing he had wanted to do was lose that trust and make her feel uncomfortable about living with him. Had he upset her? What if she thought he was trying to hit on her? Should he apologize again? But then that would be like admitting that he had indeed hit on her. Had he?
Just then the bedroom door opened and Meher peeped her head out. "Um...Preet...I just wanted to tell you that I really enjoyed myself tonight".
"You did?" said Preet. "I mean...of course...I did too".
"Okay then...goodnight". Meher gave him a small smile, before closing the door again.
"Goodnight", whispered Preet.
No matter how much he tried to deny it, he was falling in love with Meher and it was too late to stop it.
Cricket
CID
