I thought many people would be fan of the pairing, but I don't know where they are...
Anyway, I do want to appreciate the ones who have liked and commented the story. You guys are amazing.
Early in the morning the family members were rather busy with something. Some went out for shopping, some met up with close friends and others decided to stay at home.
Ram Kishan was talking on the phone with his close friend, Pritam as they were deciding on meeting up later on the evening with the rest of the family.
Somewhere else, Mrs. Leela was standing outside her room where she patiently waited for Prem. There were so many thoughts running wild in her mind and she was convinced that today was the best time to let her thoughts be heard.
When she caught Prem coming out from his bedroom, she called after him with a smile.
"Prem, there you are, can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Sure!"
He followed her into the room and to his surprise saw that she closed the door after them.
He sat down on a chair where else she stood facing him.
"I actually wanted to talk to you about something important - More specifically the time which you are going through." She took a small pause.
"You're going through a hard time - because of Preeti."
His eyes suddenly shot up as he raised his gaze to look at the elder woman. He couldn't help but sense a dj vu crashing down on him.
"Now, I know it's hard, but I just want to make things easier for you. Both my daughter and I have been very close to this family for years. You all know us. We would never think of something which would harm anyone."
"I'm not sure if I'm following?"
"Just because Preeti cannot give you something which is important in a marriage, then it shouldn't mean that you have to suffer as well. Think of the family and what they must have gone through after hearing the news. What I'm trying to tell you is that it's never too late to try again. To try a fresh start with someone else - someone you already know."
He already knew where she was heading with the words. All this time he thought for whatever reason Priya was being friendly had another meaning behind it altogether.
"Your mother will never say these things perhaps she's too blind by the love of her so called, daughter-in-law. But I'm sure that deep down she's thinking the same thought as I am."
She watched his expression closely.
"You've already witnessed what's been going on between you two. Preeti is hardly home and you're clearly not happy by it. Look Prem, I can guarantee you that you'll have a wonderful life with my daughter. She loves you very much, Prem."
He couldn't believe what he was hearing - this was the second time he was put in a situation like this. He felt a sudden rush of anger and felt betrayed. The truth was that he felt taken advantage of just because of the person he was. But that didn't mean he didn't have emotions or couldn't get angry.
"Leave Preeti. You'll have nothing good out from her."
Prem clenched his jaw and felt his muscles getting tensed by the conversation.
"You done?" he said without giving a chance to replay and stormed out from the room heading for his car.
-----
- Betabi me aksar aisa hota hai, Pyar me doori sehna mushkil hota hai -
-----
He had kept driving around for hours and finally settled for a place where he knew he could gather his thoughts in peace. He stood with crossed arms across his chest as he looked at the view across the small lake.
The car stood parked behind him with the passenger door wide opened.
He took a deep breath as he ran a hand through his hair. He was starting to get tired by getting in situation like these.
He was feeling lost, angry and tired. Why was everyone suddenly after him? What did he ever do wrong to go through this?
His thoughts went to Preeti.
Never in the world, would he ever leave her for somebody else. He loved her as a man could love his wife. When he finally got a chance to reunite with her after spending years apart, he couldn't be happier.
This was the life he had been craving for in years.
If life had put them into a situation like this wasn't their fault. There was nothing he could do to prevent it - they had already buried the past behind them in order to forget the incident and start a fresh chapter of their lives - and he would make sure to hold on to that thought.
He sighed heavily. Only thought that came into his mind was one person.
Prem needed to see her. He needed to see Preeti. No more staying behind or let others decide what was best for him.
Turning around he climbed in his car and drove to a familiar destination this time.
Prem managed to park his car outside the house where Preeti was currently staying at. He stood in front of the door and waited patiently for someone to open it. The door was finally being opened Preeti herself.
Their eyes met which he had longed for in the past few hours.
She got surprised seeing him at a time like this.
"Prem? What are you doing here?" she however smiled at him.
He came inside the hallway and into the living room. He noticed that she was all alone in the house, and wondered why she hadn't called him.
"I thought maybe I could pay you a visit," he said with a small sad smile taking a silence glance around the surroundings.
It gave him a bad sense of dj vu and he hated it. He needed to get away from the feeling.
He however sat down on the soft black couch.
Preeti noticed something off about him - it was his eyes which gave him away. They weren't as playful or sparkling as they always had been whenever they were together.
"Do you want something to drink? I'll go get you some," but before she could turn around, he grabbed her hand and stopped her.
Preeti looked confused and surprised by the sudden contact she had with him. He shook his head.
"I don't want anything."
His eyes never left hers.
"Just stay."
He brought her closer and pulled her down to him, so she was sitting on his lap. The gesture made her blush but also made her surprised as well. She wrapped an arm round his strong shoulder so she wouldn't lose her balance while sitting.
Prem didn't say anything. Not a single word had come from his lips, other than burying his face into her neck. He breathed her in which made his nerves calm down. The gesture worried her as she had never seen him act like this before. She wondered what might have happened back home since he acted so differently.
"Prem?" she whispered while smoothing his hair. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," a low voice came from her neck. He still kept his arms around her, holding her as if he let go, she would vanish.
He began to nuzzle her neck in a gentle manner where she could feel his hot breath caress her skin. Before things could go any further, he moved his head back to face her.
He reached out to touch her cheek. He didn't feel like going home anytime soon. He wanted to stay here and be with her, spend time with her as much as possible.
She studied him for a short while, trying not to heat up from the small moment of intimacy they had shared.
"You can stay over if you want to?"
He nodded as he let her go.
He stood up and went upstairs toward the bathroom. He let the cold water hit his face, hoping to wash away the empty feelings he had carried with him for tonight.
He took a small glance at himself in the mirror. He was tired and the only thing he wanted was a peaceful night - but was that possible in the given situation? He quickly dismissed the incoming thoughts and dried his face and came out from the bathroom.
He headed to the bedroom where he unbuttoned his shirt, leaving him in loose trousers and a white under shirt.
He got inside the covers and closed his eyes where else; Preeti had just changed her clothes into pajamas.
She entered the bedroom and saw that he had already gone to bed. She switched off the lamp beside the bed as she got inside the covers while facing his back. Part of her mind was worried about him, as he wasn't himself, but the other half of her was glad to know that he had agreed on staying over for the night.
Not seeing him so regularly had been hard - it was indeed not easy. She made a mental note on remembering to ask him what was really wrong with him.
She closed her eyes hoping she would get some sleep. However she heard a shifting sound coming from beside her, and noticed that they were both facing each other.
Prem brought her closer to his body, where his head was resting above hers, as if he was protecting her for the upcoming night.
She opened her eyes and starred into his. All she witnessed was love. He carefully leaned forward where he placed a simple kiss on her forehead.
By doing that, she closed her eyes and permitted herself to enjoy the small moment between them. She knew she shouldn't give herself the luxury to do so, but part of her couldn't stop.
Preeti shifted closer to his strong chest and closed her eyes as they both drifted into a heavy sleep.
-----
The next morning:
Preeti woke up next morning, when she felt someone's hand around her waist. She yawned silently and took a look around her bedroom.
Her eyes went to Prem who was fast asleep beside her.
She noticed how tight he was holding almost as if he never wanted to let go of her.
Preeti decided to get up and get a shower, so she carefully removed the covers off her and gently removed his tight hold of her while trying not to wake him up. While making her way to the bathroom her eyes caught his phone vibrating on the night stand.
She saw his phone had received many missed calls during the night. She took a look at her own phone and noticed the same thing. She however recognized the number and called back. "Hello."
"Hello Preeti?"
"Hello, Aunt Mamta, is everything alright? I'm sorry I wasn't able to pick up."
"It's fine, honey. I was just wondering if you knew where Prem was. He left yesterday without informing anyone, and I've been worried about him ever since. I even called at the office."
Preeti took a small glance back at the bed where he lay asleep. She couldn't help but wonder what might have happened.
"Prem's here with me. He came over last night, did he not inform you?"
"I guess it might have slipped through his mind. But, I'm glad to know that he's with you. We were just worried as he wasn't at the office when we tried to contact him. Anyway, I shouldn't disturb you two too much. I'll talk to you later, Preeti. Take care."
Preeti hanged up while carrying a thoughtful look on her face. why did he tell anyone where he wa going last night? Did something happen?'
She made a mental note to herself that she was going to ask him about last night. She then went to the bathroom to get a shower.
After spending one hour, she had managed to take a bath and stood in the kitchen where she was busy preparing breakfast for the house.
Meanwhile Prem was already awake and dressed for the day. He made his way toward the kitchen where he saw his wife was placing a few plates on the dining table.
Prem crossed his arms and stood silently watching her. He couldn't get the conversation he had with Mrs. Leela out from his mind. It was like they were imprinted there to stay.
Part of him felt anger resettle in him but also felt afraid by the thought of losing Preeti. Did he even deserve to have her in his life?
One evening he was out with his collage friends at a caf, spending some quality time despite their busy schedule of projects and exams. His friends had to force the young man out from his dorm room. He just wouldn't get off the bed while holding on to the small red book. If only they knew the reason why.
A man with short black hair took a sip from his soda. "So Prem, what are your plans for future?"
He raised his gaze. "I'll be going back to the family and help them with the business. I think it's safe to say that I've stayed away far too long."
"We all have," one of them said while nodding. "It's going to be good coming back home."
"And hopefully get married as well," a brown haired man said.
Prem couldn't help but think about Preeti. He really missed her even though he lived in another country as her.
However a voice brought her back, "Oh, don't tell me you're thinking about your fianc?" they laughed heartily.
"She's the only one for me," Prem said as he took a sip from his cold drink.
"So you're going to make her yours once you get back?"
He raised his gaze, "She already is.."
"I don't think you understood the meaning behind the question, Prem?" the brown haired friend said chuckling slightly.
He was too lost in his own thoughts that he did not hear Preetam uncle calling his name a few times.
"Prem?"
He finally tore his eyes away from his thoughts and toward the elder man. "What happened Prem? Looks like you were rather lost in your own thoughts?"
He shook his head and sat down on the chair at the table. "Just work related, nothing too important."
He nodded. "You shouldn't work too much, son. It's time for you to enjoy life and not wasting it in working too much."
Prem chuckled slightly and nodded, "I'll sure try to keep that mind." Preeti soon joined them too at the table.
"So Prem, what are your plans for today?"
"Nothing special, just thought I may bring Preeti back home with me. Everyone started to miss her," he took a small glance at her.
Her father laughed, "Come one then, you can tell the truth. I'm sure it's you who have been missing my daughter, no?"
"You caught me, sir."
"Well then, looks like you're leaving today," he said turning his attention on his daughter.
"I don't know.." Preeti said while her gaze was lowered. Part of her felt unsure whether to go or not.
"You should never say no to a man who has been missing you, the poor thing has come all the way from his house to spend time with you."
Preetams expression softened a bit, "I'm not that far away, honey. I promise I'll come visit you often."
Once they finished the breakfast, Prem, couldn't help but study his wife. Was there something else behind the reason why she wasn't thrilled to go back home with him? Did he do something wrong? Did he upset her?
However they finished the couple went up to her old room. Prem stood by the doorway, watching her getting a few things from her closet. She was currently busy with packing her things.
She was busy putting a few shirts into the black luggage when she raised her gaze to meet his. She still hadn't forgotten what happened last night.
"What happened last night?"
He took a long look at her, studying her expression. She was concerned and a hint of worry ceased her eyes.
He shook his head, "nothing."
"You were upset about something, I could tell." She had always been good at reading him well enough to see that something was bothering him. The truth was that it was his eyes which always gave him away. They were mixed with different feelings hidden deep inside - fear, sadness and worry.
"It's just work related, nothing to worry about."
"Prem.."
He crossed his arms, debating whether to tell her or not. "I guess I've just been missing you," he half admitted.
Her heart sank upon hearing the words, but a part of her was excited as well. It meant that she was still in his thoughts.
Prem moved closer to her where he touched her cheek in a gentle manner. The minute she felt his hands cup her cheek, she forgot t the reason why she was here at the first place.
"It's not the same without you there," he whispered while gazing into her eyes. "Did I make you upset?"
"No!" she furrowed her brows.
"I guess it's just a phase I'm going through at the moment." She raised her gaze.
"I've missed the others too" she said hoping he would get the hint.
"And what about me?"
She couldn't help but bit her lip; clearly showing their old banter had retuned. "I have some packing to do," she tried to turn around, but Prem managed to grab her hand into his.
"You never answered the question?" he said with a teasing smile on his face.
She slipped her hand free from his grip and went to zip the black luggage. Soon enough they were downstairs in front of the car where Prem closed the boot after placing her luggage.
He couldn't take his eyes off from her as she stood beside him. He had his signature teasing smile across his lips and she already knew what he was up to.
Preeti couldn't help but blush a little so she gently pushed his face to make him look at the other side. She left him standing while she climbed in the passenger seat.
Soon enough they were both on the road driving toward the house. Prem reached out for her hand and held it while he drove. "You know, I always tell you..."
"To put both hands on the wheel," he interrupted her, "You already know my answer."
A gentle laugh escaped her rosy lips, "that you can do much more than that."
"Exactly" he smirked at her while driving.
15 minutes later, they arrived at the house where they were greeted by everyone. Prem still held on to her hand as he led her up the stairs so he could place her in their room.
Meanwhile Priya stood watching the scene unfold before her eyes. She saw how Prem had a teasing smile as he opened the door and held it open for her - almost like he had something in mind.
Preeti tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear as she walked inside.
She didn't want to think what was happening behind the closed door. She fumed almost by the jealously she was feeling deep inside of her.
What was she even doing back here?' Priya couldn't help but think.
She had to think of something fast or else she wouldn't get a chance to be with Prem.
********
To Be Continued! 😳
Veer Hanuman
Kumkum Bhagya
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