Fatima's Cozy Corner 2 - Link to New Corner on Pg 152 :) - Page 17

Originally posted by: ummesulaiman

Sorry Bennu...actually I was travelling into rural parts of the US...and just didn't have net access...also was so busy that I didn't get a chance to write. But I should have an update for you this Friday. 😊

Originally posted by: sherma

oh wow Tats great.wil b waitng fr Friday.after waiting so long we deserve gud romantic meet scenes😉.waise hw was ur trip

Originally posted by: ummesulaiman

Trip was nice...just was frustrating being without net service 😆

Originally posted by: sherma

I understand gng thru same ting.but happy atleast hav net in my cell

Originally posted by: tarannum6

Please update soon...

Chapter 29 - Consider It A Warning

Link to: Table of Contents

Meher was talking to Maya on the phone.

"Hey Meher I heard about Preet's accident", said Maya. "Is he alright?"

"Yes, he's fine", said Meher.

"So does this mean the ceremony has been postponed?" asked Maya. "I can try and make it if you put it off till the end of the week".

"No...he insisted we go ahead with the engagement", said Meher. "So I guess we're official now".

"Good for him...I mean for both of you", laughed Maya. "Congratulations! Shaddi kab?" (When's the wedding?)

"This summer", said Meher. "That way Kulraj Didi and her family can come over from Canada, and I can finish out the school year. You had better be there though".

"Sounds perfect", said Maya. "I wouldn't miss it for the world".

Meher continued to talk with her friend for a few more minutes, before saying her goodbyes. She had just put her phone down when Preet appeared at her window.

"Surprise!" he yelled.

"Preet!" cried Meher. "Tum kahan se aaye?" (Where did you come from?)

"Neeche se (From down there)", said Preet, pointing to the drain pipe he had just climbed up.

"Very good...you're lucky you didn't break any bones", frowned Meher.

"Oh come on Meher, this is my house", said Preet. "I'm used to sneaking in past curfew. Waise tum phone pe itne mazay le kar kis se baat kar rahi thi? Koi munda tha kya?" (By the way, who where you laughing on the phone with? Not some guy I hope?)

"It was Maya Preet", Meher said rolling her eyes.

"Oh...well in that case", he held up the snacks he was holding. "Chips? Cold Drink?"

"No thanks. But now that you are here, there is something I want to do with you", smiled Meher, as she pulled him close and looked over his face.

"Really?" Preet said excitedly. Finally! Some romance, he thought.

Minutes later...

"Ow!" cried Preet. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, as Meher hovered over him.

"Preet will you please hold still", she said, as she examined his head.

"But it hurts", complained Preet.

"I know, but it's been 2 days and we need to change this bandage", explained Meher. "You'll feel better once it's all done". Meher peeled the bandage off as carefully as she could.

"Ouch!" Preet grumbled as he watched her look through the first aid kit. "It doesn't feel better".

"Boy, you sure have a low tolerance for pain don't you", chuckled Meher. "Now sit still while I apply some ointment on your cut. I promise I'll be as gentle as I can".

As Preet watched Meher gently and diligently apply the salve on his cut, he allowed himself to smile and look at the bright side of things. After all, she was only trying to help him. It wasn't her fault that he had gotten hurt. And her touch did feel good. Too good. And for the first time in so many days, they were in a room...alone. She was standing really close to him too. Close enough to steal a kiss. But as he leaned forward towards her, she dampened his hopes by pushing him back down.

"Don't move", said Meher. "I still need to put the new bandage on".

Preet clenched his jaw as she briskly pressed a bandage across his cut, then proceeded to pack up the first aid kit.

"That's it?" he asked in a deflated tone of voice.

"That's it", smiled Meher.

"Aren't you supposed to kiss it to make it feel better?" asked Preet. "I mean you don't have to kiss the bandage. You can always just kiss me. I'm sure it'll make me feel better. Because..."

Meher leaned over and silenced him with a chaste little kiss. "Will that keep you quiet for a while?" she smiled.

"Depends...", grinned Preet, as he put his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him. "How long do I have to wait for the next one?"

"Preet what are you doing?" said Meher. "Koi dekh le ga (Someone will see us). And that someone just maybe your mother. Her room is right next door, remember?"

"So what?" said Preet. "We're engaged now aren't we?"

"Preet!" sighed Meher.

"Look Meher...", said Preet. "We've been here for 4 days, and we've barely spent 2 minutes together".

"That's not true we see each other every day", said Meher.

"Yes...at breakfast, surrounded by my entire family", Preet pointed out. "Then I'm out the whole day because PB is so excited about me moving back, that he wants to update me with all the goings on in our company. We exchange exactly 2 words at dinner, but not more than that because Veera is always watching us like a hawk. I'm not used to being away from you like this you know".

"But Preet, it's only for a few more days", said Meher.

"And that's a few days too many", said Preet. "Okay look...I'm setting aside the rest of the day for doing nothing except spending it with you. And I've got the perfect excuse too".

"What's that?" asked Meher.

"Ambala", smiled Preet.

"Ambala?" said Meher.

"Yes Ambala", said Preet. "It's only 70 miles from here. I thought you'd like to go and visit your old family farm. Maybe relive some wonderful memories...and share them with me too.

"Preet that is a wonderful idea" smiled Meher. "And thoughtful too".

"Ma thought so too", chuckled Preet. "She's already given me the go ahead".

"She did?" Meher said in surprise.

"It wasn't easy", said Preet. "But Heer Bhabi helped me play up the sentimental angle. And...I also swore I'd behave myself. I'll have the servants prepare a picnic lunch for us. It'll be great. The only thing we have to worry about is Veera. If she finds out about our plan, she'll surely tag along. She can be a major kabab mein haddi (third wheel) when she wants to you know. What we need is a plan".

"A plan?" said Meher.

"Yes", said Preet. "I've already sworn Ma and Heer Bhabi to secrecy, and you have to promise not to say anything to Veera either. I have to meet PB at the office this morning, but I'll be back before lunch. That should give you enough time to get ready. After that all you have to do is wait for my signal".

"Your signal? And what's that?" asked Meher.

"Actually I haven't thought of one yet", chuckled Preet. "But you'll know when you see it".

Later...

Meher looked at the time on the wall clock and exhaled loudy. She had spent the morning at Veera's place, and made a real lame excuse to get back before lunch. But lunch time had come and gone, and there was no sign of Preet or his signal. So much for our picnic, she thought. She was about to go upstairs to her room, when a servant walked up to her and handed her an envelope.

"Bibi Ji", he said. "Yeh aap ke liye aya tha". (This came for you).

"Thanks", said Meher. Why would an envelope come for her here in Ludhiana? She wondered. She quickly opened it. Inside was a simple typed note saying...A car is waiting outside for you. We had a meeting remember? Better late than never.

This must be the signal Preet was talking about, thought Meher. I guess late is better than never. She quickly ran upstairs to get her phone. There were only 2 bars of charge on it, but she figured she wouldn't have to use it much anyway. She then quietly made her way downstairs, said goodbye to Heer and quickly ran out and got into the car waiting for her.

"Where's your saab?" asked Meher, when she saw Preet was not in the car.

"He said he'd go directly to the appointed place", said the driver, as he began to drive the car away.

One hour later...

Meher took her phone out and tried to call Preet, but she wasn't getting a network signal. "How much longer before we get to the farm?" she asked.

"Not long madam ji", said the driver. "Another 20 minutes perhaps".

Half an hour later, the driver pulled up to an old deserted farm. Meher rolled her window down and peered outside. "This isn't my family's old farm", she said. "Are you sure you were supposed to bring me here?"

"Yes", said the driver. "I was given very specific instructions".

"Okay", said Meher, as she stepped out of the car. There was no sign of Preet. "I don't see another car here", she said to the driver. "Maybe Preet isn't here yet. Or maybe he parked on the other side of the barn. You wait here and I'll go see if I can find him".

"Ji madam", said the driver.

Meher slowly walked over to the delapitated little farm house on the property and knocked on the door. "Hello?" she called out. "Anybody here? Preet?" When there was no answer, Meher decided to check the barn, but there was no one there either. Preet Juneja, if this is your idea of a joke, I am not amused, she grumbled to herself. Just then she heard a car's engine. She ran outside, but to her horror it wasn't a car pulling up. Rather it was the car she had come in driving away. "No!!" she screamed, as she ran after it. "Wait!!! Where are you going?! Come back!!"

Panting for breath Meher held onto her aching sides and surveyed the situation. She had been abandoned. No...how was that possible? Preet was probably on his way. In fact, he'd be here any minute now, and then she'd really let him have it. Just then her phone rang.

"Hello? Hello?" Meher spoke desperately into her phone.

"Hello Meher".

Meher's blood froze when she heard the voice on the other end. It was Viren.

"Tum? (You?)" said Meher.

"Were you expecting someone else?" Viren chided her. "We had a meeting remember?"

"You had me brought here?" Meher said in surprise. "How dare you?!"

"How dare you miss our meeting with Mr. Bedi!?!" growled Viren. "You knew how important it was for you to be there! And how dare you go to the police?! I warned you Meher! I told you I'd hurt you, if you didn't listen to me! And what better way to hurt you than to start by taking away the people you care most about!"

"I don't have to listen to this", said Meher. She was about to hang up her phone, when Viren spoke up again.

"I heard your boyfriend had a little accident", he laughed.

"How do you know about that?" asked Meher.

"Because I was in the accident", sneered Viren. "I am the accident!"

Meher listened, confused for a minute, then comprehension came to her. "You!" she cried. "You're the one who hurt Preet?! How dare you?!"

"I had to teach you a lesson", said Viren. "You're lucky I didn't kill him. Consider it a warning. Next time he won't be so lucky. And now... I'm coming to get you Meher".

As the call disconnected, Meher held onto her phone and looked around for something to support herself as her legs gave way under a wave of frustration, anger, fear, and a depressing feeling of helplessness. Just then thunder cracked and it began to rain very hard.

Meanwhile...

Preet and Prem came home, soaking from the downpour, despite the fact that both had umbrellas with them.

"Man, that is one bad storm", said Prem. "No amount of umbrellas help".

"Yeah", agreed Preet. "Just the walk from the driveway to the front door was enough to soak us to the bones".

"Hey guys", smiled Heer as she greeted the brothers.

"Hi Heer", smiled Prem. "Listen can you get dinner served right away? We both missed lunch and we're starving".

"Sure", said Heer. "By the way Meher's Chacha and Chachee are here too. We were just waiting for you guys to come home before serving dinner. Uh...Preet, where is Meher?"

"What do you mean where's Meher?" asked Preet.

"Well, she went out with you this afternoon didn't she?" asked Heer.

"No she didn't", said Preet.

"But you were going to take her to Ambala", said Heer.

"I was. But our meeting was running late, and then I heard rain was in the forecast so I called home and left a message with Kishan to tell Meher that we'd go tomorrow instead", said Preet.

"Why didn't you just call her on her phone and tell her?" asked Prem.

"I was afraid Veera would overhear and insist on tagging along", said Preet. "That's why I told Kishan specifically to give the message only to Meher. I wonder why he didn't say anything".

"Preet, Kishan's son fell ill this morning", explained Heer. "He asked Ma for the day off and she said yes. Meher was over at Veera's place at the time, and didn't get back until after he left. He probably never got a chance to give her your message. A car came around 3 this afternoon, and picked up Meher. It was a company car so I just assumed you had sent it".

"But I didn't", Preet said worriedly.

"Then where did Meher go?" asked Prem.

A shortwhile later...

Preet slammed the phone down in frustration. "She's not answering!" he said.

"Preet will you please calm down", pleaded Heer. "You're freaking me and Ma out. Prem went back to the office to check out all the logs of the company cars. I'm sure he'll get to the bottom of this right away".

Just then the phone rang. "Hello?" Preet quickly answered.

"Preet it's me", said Prem. "I located the driver of the car Meher went out in. He's as confused as we are. He claims he got a call instructing him to pick Meher up and drop her off at some farm in Ambala. When he was out there, he got another call asking him to leave her there and come back to the office immediately. The calls were coming from an unlisted number, but get this, the caller claimed to be Preet Juneja!"

Later...

Meher sat huddled in one corner of the barn, shivering from the cold and pitch black of the night. The roof of the old barn had leaked profusely offering her very little shelter from the rain.

Meher suddenly turned when she thought she had heard a sound. She tried to push Viren's threats out of her head, and silently prayed that her mind was playing tricks on her and that no one was beyond the barn's door. Fear squeezed her throat, making screaming all but impossible. How long she sat frozen in that spot she wasn't sure herself.

Okay Meher, she tried to calm herself. You didn't hear a car pull up. No one is out there. And if you did hear a noise it was probably some stray cat or dog.

She drew a sharp breath when she heard some more noise. This time she was convinced that it was footsteps. Meher crouched down as low as she could in her hiding spot when she heard the barn door being pushed open and a beam of light from a flashlight passed over the premises. A board cracked under someone's feet, and the hair on the back of her neck stood up. She swallowed hard and reached for a loose board lying nearby ready to defend herself.

"Meher?" Preet called out. Concern cracked in his voice.

Meher let out a sigh of relief. "Preet!" she cried, as she dropped the board and rushed across the barn to him.

Preet caught her in his arms and held her tightly as if in an effort to convince himself that she was safe and sound and in one piece. Meher began to sob uncontrollably.

"Do you have any idea how worried sick I was? Everybody back home is freaking out! Don't you ever scare me like that again Meher Maan!" said Preet. "And you had better have a good reason for not answering my calls!"

"I thought I was coming to meet you, but the driver just left me here", sobbed Meher. "I couldn't get through to you on the phone and then the battery died out. Then it started to rain and get dark, and all I could think about was Viren being out there somewhere. I've never been so scared in my life".

"Viren?" said Preet.

"He was the one who had me brought here", said Meher. "He's the one responsible for your accident Preet. He said he was coming to get me...that I would be punished for not coming to the meeting in Delhi...and...and..."

"Shhh...it's okay Meher", said Preet, as he tightened his hold over her and continued to comfort her. "Come on. Let's just get you home".

Hope you all liked the update. I suppose I did go over board with the pictures 😆
Please do leave your comments and feedback. Or at least hit the like button. 😛


Almost no one listens to me ... but (😕)...as always... a humble request...if you are reading this FF it's because Sushant and Meher made an impression on you in their portrayal of Preet and Meher. Please be kind enough to comment on the respective actors' profiles Thanks. 😛

Chapter 30: Preet and Meher meet Viren. 😡

Link to next chapter: Chapter 30.

Originally posted by: -Xpress-

Interesting <3 Loved the story

Originally posted by: sherma

wow superb meet scene.love the pics.i ws really scrd fr meher but m so happy u dint make it bad and finally meet met.do continue soon;waitng fr the next part😊.thnks fr pm