Chapter 28 - Less Than Perfect
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One week later...
Prem, Preet and Meher walked into the expansive Juneja mansion in Ludhiana. Heer, Gaytri, and Veera were there to greet them.
"Meher! It's so wonderful to see you again", cried Heer, as she gave her guest a warm welcoming hug.
"It's nice to see you too Heer Didi", smiled Meher.
"You can't imagine how happy I was when Prem told me the news. Surprised...but happy nonetheless", chuckled Heer.
"Hey! Isn't anyone going to welcome me?" asked Preet.
"Welcome home Preet", smiled Heer.
"Yeah Preet Bhaiya...welcome home", smiled Veera, as she hugged her brother and then Meher. "Welcome home Meher. Or should I say Meher Bhabi? You know when Maya first brought you home, I never would have thought we'd end up being related to one another some day. Especially not after the way Preet Bhaiya treated you. Remember the cocktail party...and his announcement to all the guests about your mole. Oh and how about the way he dropped you like a hot potato after the dance".
"Heh Heh...Veera", said Preet. "Why do you insist on digging up old skeletons?"
"Waise Bhaiya...", continued Veera. "I still can't believe a nice girl like Meher actually agreed to marry you".
"Gee...thanks for the vote of confidence Veera", said Preet. "Didn't we like marry you off to Nihal already? What are you still doing here?"
"You forget...I live only 20 minutes away", said Veera. "Besides...I haven't seen you guys since my wedding. I already told Nihal, I'm spending every single moment of the week right here. Come on Meher...I'll show you where you'll be staying. It's actually my old room, and it's right next to Ma's. She said you guys had been living together in Mumbai, so she wanted to make sure no hanky panky took place while you were here".
"Veera!" cried Gaytri, as she saw Meher's face turn red.
"Oops! I guess I wasn't supposed to say that out loud", said Veera. She slid her arm into Meher's and began to lead her towards the stairs. "Once you settle in, I'll show you the rest of the house, and then after lunch we'll go through the family photo albums. There are some pretty funky pictures of Preet Bhaiya in there".
"Great!" cried Preet, as he rolled his eyes. "I guess she's taken it upon herself to embarrass me every chance she gets".
"Of course", chuckled Prem. "What else are little sisters for?"
Later...
"Your mom is a great cook", remarked Meher, as she and Veera walked into the family library.
"Yeah and so is Heer Bhabi", said Veera. "I hope you are too for Preet Bhaiya's sake".
"I do alright", smiled Meher. "I mean, I haven't heard a complaint from him yet".
"Oh that's right...I keep forgetting...you guys were living together", chuckled Veera. "I bet you spoiled him silly".
"No", said Meher. "I mean...if I did, it wasn't on purpose. Your brother was already surviving on take out, when I moved in with him. But that's no way to live. Not for me anyways. Luckily for both of us, I like to cook. Maybe I'll ask Aunty Ji if I can help out with lunch tomorrow, and you can see if I'm good enough for yourself".
"Okay done", smiled Veera, as she handed Meher a large photo album. "Here...let's start with this one".
Veera went through several pictures with Meher, offering her comments on them as they flipped through the album.
"Is this one of your father?" asked Meher, as she paused over a page. She noted that there wasn't a single one of him in which he was smiling.
"Yes", said Veera. "Has Preet Bhaiya spoken to you much about him?"
"Not much...just that they had a strained relationship. He's very...uh...upright and regal looking", remarked Meher.
"I don't know about regal", laughed Veera. "But upright and stern definitely. As kids we spent a lot of time in boarding schools, so we weren't very close to him. At least Preet Bhaiya and I weren't. He was a good man though. He worked very hard to make a name for himself and the family business. I just wish he had made more time for the family. Still I miss him now that he's gone".
"Hey look at this one", said Veera, pointing to another picture. "This was taken when I was just 6 and Preet Bhaiya was 8, right before he saved my life".
"What?" Meher said in surprise.
"We were visiting some aunt and uncle on their farm and our cousins took us to see the new machine that would pump water", explained Veera. "One of the big kids turned the motor on. It was winter time and I had this scarf wrapped around my head. I leaned in to watch the water spurt out, and before I knew what was happening, the spinning belt caught a loose corner of my scarf, and started pulling me in. I tugged back but it kept pulling me in tighter and tighter. All the screaming I was doing threw everyone into a panic, and all my cousins just stood there frozen like popcicles. The scarf would have slipped down to my neck and strangled me. But in the panic of the moment, Preet Bhaiya had the presence of mind to run over and turn the motor's switch off. Of course Bauji beat him to a pulp for taking me there in the first place, but he was still my hero".
Meher smiled.
"Listen Meher", said Veera. "I'm really glad you and Preet Bhaiya are getting married. You know it wasn't very pleasant when he left home. And then Bauji died. We were all hoping he'd come back for the funeral, but he didn't, and Ma was crushed. I was almost afraid he wouldn't even come back for my wedding. But now, he's willing to move back home. And I'm sure you had something or the other to do with that".
"Veera I think you give me too much credit", said Meher.
"Oh...I don't know about that", said Veera, shrugging her shoulders. "Preet Bhaiya doesn't seem to shy away from singing your praises". She paused before speaking up again. "My brother is a really great guy Meher. And he deserves to be happy. I can tell by the way he looks at you, that he loves you a lot, and will keep you happy too. I'm really glad you're going to be part of our family".
"Thanks Veera", Meher smiled and gave her a hug. "That really means a lot".
Just then Heer walked into the room. "Hey guys", she said. "Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all Heer Bhabi", Veera smiled, as she opened up another album. "We were just about to look at...baby pictures".
A short while later...
Preet had just finished putting his suitcase away when there was a knock on the door.
"It's open", said Preet.
To his surprise Meher peeked in.
"Hey Meher", he smiled, as he took her by the hand and led her into his room. "So nice of you to finally come and see me. What's up? Don't tell me...Veera is driving you nuts, rights? She's really not so bad once you get used to her. How did you manage to finally ditch her?"
"Preet, I like Veera. And I didn't ditch her. Nihal Ji just came home, so she's busy with him", explained Meher. "He wants to see you too. In fact Aunty Ji said dinner will be ready soon, so we should all come down".
"Oh...okay", said Preet, as he began to head towards his door.
"Preet wait...", said Meher, as she took a hold of his arm. "Um...there's something I have to tell you".
"Okay", said Preet.
"Well...we're going to get married and I think it's important that we don't keep anything from each other".
"Yeah...so?" said Preet.
"So I just wanted to tell you that...earlier today...", said Meher. "...I...I saw you without any clothes on".
"You did?" Preet said in surprise. Had he left his door open when he came out of the shower earlier? He wondered. Meher stood before him biting her lower lip, and he wasn't quite sure how to react. "Um...okay...Well then...I hope you liked what you saw", he chuckled.
"Preet...there's more...", Meher said taking a deep breath. "Veera saw you too".
"She did?!" cried Preet.
"And...so did...Heer Bhabi", added Meher.
"She what?!?!" cried Preet. "How? When? Meher why didn't you stop them? I'll never be able to look Heer Bhabi in the eye now. And...what if she tells PB?"
Just then Meher started laughing out loud.
"You think this is funny?!?" cried Preet.
"It is if we're talking about baby pictures", laughed Meher. She pulled out a picture she had been holding behind her back".
"Oh man!" cried Preet as he held his hand over his heart. "You almost gave me a heart attack! You mind handing that over to me?"
"Not at all", said Meher, as she gave him the picture and pulled out 2 more. "I'll just amuse myself with these instead. Waise Preet...I got a real kick out of seeing you in these oh so hot glasses'. Not to mention this one with the interesting hairdo. Veera tells me it's from the days when your parents were just starting out with the family business and your mom used to give you haircuts at home to save money".
"Meher...", said Preet.
"I wonder if Nihal Ji has seen this photo", said Meher as she began to walk away. "It may make for some interesting dinner conversation".
"Meher...give me that", said Preet, as he lunged towards her.
Meanwhile...
Gaytri was supervising the servants setting the table for dinner, when a loud "BOOM!" rang out.
"What was that?" asked Prem, as he and Heer joined Gaytri.
"Whatever it was it came from upstairs", said Veera, as she and Nihal came running too.
The group made its way upstairs, checking each room, until they came to Preet's room. There stood Preet and a very red faced Meher, before a broken bed.
"Uh...Ma...I can explain...", began Preet. But Gaytri held up her hand and silenced him.
"30 years", said Gaaytri. "30 years I lived in this house with your father and raised 4 children. Prem, Kulraj, and Veera all got married here. Kulraj's kids run all over the place when they visit. No one's ever broken a bed in this house before".
"Yeah and these 2 aren't even married and the deed's been done", chuckled Veera. "Nice going Preet Bhaiya".
The next day...
Meher was in her room looking over some clothes. The previous week had passed uneventfully with no sign of Viren. She had only been in Ludhiana for 2 days, but she had already blended into the Juneja family as if she had belonged to it from the very beginning. Everything was going to be perfect, she thought.
"Hey Meher", said Preet, as he walked into her room. "All set for tonight?"
"Yes", smiled Meher. "I've got the clothes and jewelry all picked out, and Heer Didi said she'd be up shortly and help me get ready. And I spoke to Chachu earlier in the day. He said he and Chachee would be here by 6 PM to help your mother greet the guests".
"Good", smiled Preet. "Listen Meher, I wanted to thank you for being so nice to my family. They really love you".
"Me? They're the ones who are so awesome", said Meher. "They've welcomed me with open arms and no reservations. They've been more kind, loving and hospitable than I could ever have expected, even after the bed incident. I haven't had this much attention showered on me since my mother was alive. It feels strange yet wonderful all at the same time. I finally have a family once again Preet...and it's all because of you. Thank you".
Meher got up and gave Preet a warm hug.
"Prem Bhaiya and I are on our way to the jewelers to pick up the rings", said Preet. "You sure you don't need anything else".
"No. Not unless there's an over the counter cure for the butterflies doing a number on my stomach", sighed Meher. "I don't know why I'm feeling so nervous. I mean...we're just getting engaged right? I guess I want everything to be perfect".
"It will be", said Preet, as he gave her a kiss on her cheek, then headed out the door. "I'll see you later".
That evening...
"Well Meher, you seem to have done alright for yourself", said Daljeet, as she surveyed the Juneja mansion. "From the looks of it, these people are as rich as the Kashyaps. I hope this Preet of yours is better than Viren though".
"Chachee please", sighed Meher. "This is a very important night for me. Can you not bring up Viren or the Kashyaps tonight?"
"Okay" said Daljeet. "Where is your fiance by the way? Your Chacha and I have been here for over an hour and there's no sign of him. You don't think he's changed his mind do you?"
"No", Meher said through gritted teeth. To her relief, Gaytri called out her name, wanting to introduce her to some other guests.
At 7:30 PM Meher was growing impatient. By 8 PM she was getting angry. By 8:30 PM she was getting worried. By 9 PM she was beginning to panic. There was no sign of Preet or Prem.
Heer had tried to call Prem several times to no avail. Guests who had grown weary from waiting were beginning to excuse themselves and go home. By the time the phone rang at 9:30 PM the entire family was frantic.
"Hello?" answered Heer.
"Heer, it me", said Prem.
"Prem!" cried Heer. "I tried calling you so many times, but neither you nor Preet were answering. The guests are beginning to go home. We're all sick with worry. Were are you both?"
Heer's eyes grew wider as she quietly listened to Prem explain to her what happened. After what seemed like ages to Meher, Heer finally put the phone down and came before the rest of the family.
"What happened Heer?" asked Gaytri.
"Ma...Preet was involved in an accident", Heer said quietly.
Meher's stomach plummeted to her toes, and her lungs stopped working. "Is he alright?" she asked, her voice was shaking with worry.
"Yes", nodded Heer. "It was a hit and run, but luckily it wasn't so bad. He has a laceration above his right eye that needed some stitches. Prem is with him at the hospital. In the confusion they both left their phones in the car, that's why they weren't answering any of our calls".
"We should go to the hospital", suggested Balwant Maan.
"There is no need Uncle Ji", said Heer. "They just finished working on him, and Prem is bringing him home".
A short while later...
Preet walked into the house alongside Prem.
"Take it easy now Preet", Prem instructed him.
"Preet!" cried Gaytri, as she rushed over and hugged her son. "Beta are you alright? We were so worried".
"I'm fine Ma", said Preet, as his mother led him to the living room and made him sit down. "Sorry we're late". He glanced over at Meher. He could tell she was was doing her best not to cry.
"Prem what happened?" asked Heer.
"I'm not quite sure", said Prem. "I dropped Preet off at the jewelers, then went to pick up some other stuff. Half an hour later I came to pick him up and just as he was crossing the street, this car came speeding at him out of no where. I gave a warning shout out to him, and he did his best to dodge the vehicle, but it still managed to hit him".
"Did you get a look at the driver? Or the license plate number or make or model of the vehicle?" asked Nihal.
Prem shook his head. "All I remember is that it was a black Honda Civic", he said. "I mean, when I saw Preet lying in the middle of the street with blood coming out of his head, I freaked out. I couldn't think of anything other than getting him to the hospital, as fast as I could. The strange thing is...I could swear the car was aiming right for Preet".
"What do you mean?" asked Veera.
"I mean even after he tried to move out of the vehicle's way...it swerved and still made sure to hit him", said Prem.
"Oh come on PB", said Preet. "I mean, I know you love me, but now you're being paranoid. It was just an accident. Probably some drunken fool who was seeing double".
"Whoever it was, we were damn lucky", said Prem.
"Hey!" said Preet standing up suddenly. "Aren't we forgetting something? Meher and I were supposed to get engaged".
"You don't worry about that Preet", said Gaytri. "We can have the engagement some other time. You just get some rest...and..."
"I don't need to rest", insisted Preet, as he pulled out 2 small ring boxes. "And considering everything I went through to bring these home, I'd really like to go ahead with the engagement".
"But what about our guests?" asked Gaytri.
"Ma, everyone that's important to me is right here in this room", said Preet. He looked at Meher and smiled. "And I don't need anyone else".
Preet looked at his siblings for help.
"Uh...Preet's right Ma", said Prem.
"Yeah Ma", agreed Veera. "Aur aap hi to kehti hain, ke shubh kaam mein dair nahin karni chahiye". (And you yourself say, that one should never postpone a good deed).
"Well...", sighed Gaytri. "If you all think it's okay".
"Yes", everyone said in unison.
"I'll go get the camera", said Veera.
"I'll go bring the aarti thal and sweets", offered Heer.
"And I'll go bring the laptop" added Prem. "Kul Di is probably wondering why we haven't brought her online yet".
Moments later in a quiet and simple ceremony before family members. Preet and Meher exchanged rings and made their engagement official. Everyone took turns feeding them sweets, before adjourning to the dining room for dinner.
When he was sure they were alone, Preet pulled Meher to one side.
"I'm really sorry Meher", he said. "I wanted to be here on time, but the doctor wouldn't let me leave without getting the stitches. He said it would leave a pretty bad scar if I didn't get them. I mean I think it's still going to leave a scar, but the nurses at the hospital assured me it would only add character to my face. Either way...we're engaged now, and you're stuck with me. But I hope you don't mind that it was a little less than perfect".
Preet watched as Meher gave him a weak smile. He felt her fingers graze his temple as she pushed back his hair, then gently passed her fingers over the bandaged area above his right eye.
"Well...aren't you going to say anything?" asked Preet.
"I love you Preet Juneja", whispered Meher, as she fell into his arms, one fist weakly pounding his chest, and the tears she had been holding back for so long finally pouring out.
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