Chapter 10 - A Plan Gone Wrong
One week later...
Hey Preet, look what I've got," smiled Gaurav, as he strolled into the Maan's guesthouse, where he and Preet were staying.
"Not now Gaurav," said Preet. He was sitting on his bed with papers and files scattered all around him. "I'm right in the middle of something."
"Oh come on man," sighed Gaurav. "People work all week so they can enjoy their time off on the weekend, and look at you, you've been buried in those papers since breakfast."
"Yeah well, bosses don't always get a day off," sighed Preet. "I have to give an update to headquarters on Monday, and I want to report some positive progress."
"You've made plenty of progress. You've gotten that book event all handled, and a new contractor assigned to the hotel renovations. Staff interviews have begun to be scheduled. Things are really getting back on track," Gaurav pointed out.
"I don't just want things back on track, I want them looking good," said Preet.
"Man you really want to prove yourself to your dad don't you?" asked Gaurav.
"No. I've told you before, I'm doing this for Prem Bhaiya," replied Preet. "He trusted me with this assignment and there is no way I'm letting him down."
"Okay well...I just thought since it is a Saturday, we'd go out for a change," Gaurav said shrugging his shoulders.
"We went out last Saturday. Remember Dev's wedding?" asked Preet.
"We had to go there on behalf of the company, not by choice, so it doesn't count," said Gaurav. "We should go out and do something fun...something we'd enjoy. Ever since we came to Ludhiana we've had our noses buried so deep in our work that we've never even explored the place."
Preet closed one file and picked up another. "What's your point?" He asked absentmindedly.
"My point is...I've got 4 tickets to see a movie tonight," smiled Gaurav. "One for you and me, and I thought we could invite Sam and Meher along too."
"Invite Meher?" mumbled Preet. "You mean like on a date?"
"No no," Gaurav shook his head. "Despite the fact that you're always driving her to work or sneaking glances at her, I know you're not allowed to think of her in "that" way, because she's the manager's daughter." He chuckled as Preet gave him an annoyed look. "I on the other hand am very clear on the issue. I like Sam, and I do want to think of her in "that" way."
"So what's the problem?" asked Preet.
"The problem is we've only met recently. She's a small town girl and I don't want to seem too forward and ask her out alone on a date just yet," explained Gaurav.
"Really? You could have fooled me. I mean, you guys seemed to hit it off perfectly fine at the wedding," said Preet. "In fact, you stuck to her like glue the entire evening."
"I did not," protested Gaurav.
"Yes you did," chuckled Preet.
"Oh yeah...," Gaurav said defensively. "What about you and Meher...coming out from behind the curtain and all?"
"I already told you, she had a slight waldrobe malfunction," sighed Preet.
"Uh-huhn...," said Gaurav. He sounded unconvinced.
"You were talking about asking Sam out, remember?" Preet reminded him. "Let's stay on topic."
"Yeah right..., so like I was saying...I want to ask Sam out," said Gaurav. "We had fun at the wedding and all, but we weren't there alone.
"So you think she'll say no if it's just you and her?" asked Preet.
"Maybe," admitted Gaurav. "On the other hand, she's Meher's best friend, so I thought if we all just hung out together, she'd be more inclined to say yes. You and Meher would sort of be helping me out."
"I don't know...," said Preet.
"Okay. It was just a thought," said Gaurav. "And I don't want to force you to spend time with Meher when you clearly don't want to. It's a shame though...I mean these tickets will go to waste." He held up 4 tickets and waved them in front of Preet, then turned to go.
"Gaurav wait!" Preet called out. "I...uh...I think I'm done with these files. Maybe...I can help you."
"You can?" said Gaurav.
"Yeah, and you know Meher, she's always working and doing stuff for other people. It would be nice to treat her to a fun night out for a change," reasoned Preet. He saw Gaurav looking at him with a funny grin on his face. "But it won't be date or anything. This is only to help you out."
"Of course it is," smiled Gaurav.
"I'll go ask her," said Preet.
Gaurav waited until Preet left the room before pulling out his phone and calling up Sam. "Well, did he take the bait?" she asked eagerly.
"Hook line and sinker," chuckled Gaurav.
A short while later...
Preet strolled into the kitchen of the Maan's home looking for Meher. To his surprise, he found Ashlesha there instead. "Hi Preet, what's new?" she smiled.
"Nothing much," said Preet, as he turned to go.
"Wait Preet!" cried Ashlesha. "Don't go just yet. I...uh...um...guess what I've been doing all morning."
"Shopping probably, it's what you do best," remarked Preet.
"That's right," laughed Ashlesha. "It's amazing how well you've gotten to know me in such a short time."
"I have to go," said Preet.
"No wait!" Ashlesha stopped him again. "I was...uh...out shopping earlier today and I brought something for you." She picked up a glass and offered it to him. "It's juice. I think it's the brand you like."
"Thanks," Preet said, a little surprised. "But I'm not really thirsty right now. Perhaps I'll have some later."
"Oh...okay," said Ashlesha. "Wait!" she cried when she saw him turning to go again. "You know what else I bought?" Preet gave her a blank look. "This dress I'm wearing. The sales lady thought fuchsia went best with my skin tone. How about you?"
"I don't really think fuchsia is my color," said Preet.
"Not for you silly...on me," laughed Ashlesha. "How do you think I look in this dress?"
"I don't know...roz jaise..." said Preet shrugging his shoulders.
"Rose jaise? You meant hot like a rose?!" Ashlesha gasped in delight.
"Nahin (No). Roz jaise lagti ho, waise hi lag rahi ho (You look the same as you always do)," said Preet. He was about to leave when he stopped. "By the way, have you seen Meher?"
"Yeah, I think she's up in her room," said Ashlesha. "Maasi was yelling at her again for something or the other, and you don't want to be in her way when that happens you know...but about this dress..."
Oh no! Preet thought as he dashed out of the kitchen completely missing the disappointed look on Ashlesha's face.
A short while later...
Preet reached Meher's room as fast as he could. The door was slightly open and he could see Meher sitting on her bed hugging her knees, crying quietly to herself. He hated to see her like that...alone, broken, and vulnerable. Every protective instinct in him went on high alert as he knocked on the door softly.
"Preet...?" Meher said, as she turned her face to one side and quickly wiped her tears, then turned back and gave him a weak smile. "Come in."
"Meher, are you alright?" asked Preet as he came and sat beside her.
"Yes, of course," she lied. "Why do you ask?"
Preet reached over and swiped a tear from her cheek with his finger, then held it up for her to see.
"Oh that...," she muttered. "I...uh...accidentally bit into a really hot pepper and...uh...you know how your eyes can get all watery if you eat something too spicy...and..."
"Meher...," sighed Preet, giving her an unconvinced look. "You know you're not a very good liar. Your step-mother was picking on you again wasn't she?"
Meher didn't say anything at first, then nodded quietly. Preet clenched his jaw as more tears fell from her eyes.
"I'm sorry. You probably think I'm a big baby don't you?" Meher sniffled. "I don't know what's wrong with me. You'd think after all this time I'd be used to her taunts...but..."
"...it still hurts...," said Preet. He thought about his own relationship with his father, then gave her a soft smile and gently wiped her tear streaked face with his hands. "What was it this time? The food...house chores...the washing...?"
"Our family farm," Meher said quietly. "Someone wants to buy it. We still have a few horses on it, but it's not really being kept up the way it used to be. Every now and then someone does make an offer for it, but Papa Ji won't sell it until I say yes."
"And you don't want to," Preet finished her sentence.
Meher nodded. "How can I?" she said. "It's where my parents started their married life together, where I was born, where the last memories I have of my mother remain. I told Kuljeet I would never agree to sell it and she went ballistic." Meher looked at Preet. He seemed lost in thought. "I don't expect you to understand."
"On the contrary," said Preet. "I understand completely. You see...I lost my mother too."
"You did?" Meher asked in surprise. "Oh Preet, I'm so sorry to hear that. Why didn't you tell me before?"
"Because I don't like talking about it," said Preet.
"Do you mind if I asked you what happened?" Meher asked cautiously.
"Car accident...my parents were coming back home from a party. My father was driving...under the influence," Preet said gritting his teeth. "The funny thing is nothing happened to him. He walked away without even a scratch but my Ma..." Preet took a deep breath and passed his hands over his face. "It's been 10 years, and I still can't get over it. I don't think I ever will. And my dad...I'll never forgive him."
"I'm sorry Preet," Meher said, as she gently took Preet's hand in hers and gave it warm squeeze. "I'm really very sorry." Slowly a smile broke out on her face.
Preet was confused, and pulled his hand back. "Why are you smiling?" he asked. "I just shared a very personal tragedy with you. Something I never ever talk about, and all you can do is smile?!"
"I'm smiling because, you trusted me enough to share with me about your loss Preet," explained Meher. "Something you don't share with just anyone. So it must mean that we're very close, hain na (right)?"
"I guess so," smiled Preet. "Anyway, enough about me. This thing with your stepmother has really gone on long enough. Someone should put her in her place. Where is your father?"
"Out of town on business," Meher reminded him.
"Oh, that's right. I'm the one who sent him," sighed Preet. He suddenly got up with a determined look on his face. "Well then, I'll go and talk to Mrs. Maan."
"Oh no Preet! You musn't do that," Meher grabbed his arm to stop him. "Please, it'll only make things worse. Promise me you won't say anything to Kuljeet. Please!"
Preet took her hand in his and made her sit on the bed again. "Meher, if you don't learn to stand up for yourself you'll always get pushed around."
"I know, I know," sighed Meher. "It's just that with Kuljeet it's so complicated. She's Papa Ji's wife...and my step mother...so please...don't say anything to her. Having discord in the house stresses my father out so much. He literally becomes ill with worry."
"Fine," said Preet. "I won't say anything to her this time." He saw Meher exhale a sigh of relief and smiled. "You know...I almost forgot about why I was looking for you. I need your help."
"Sure, anything," said Meher.
"I think Gaurav has a crush on your friend Sam," chuckled Preet.
"Yes, I noticed that too," smiled Meher.
"Anyway, he wants to ask her out, but is afraid she'll say no," explained Preet. "So I was thinking, perhaps we could all go out and that way they could spend some time together."
"Go out?" asked Meher.
"Yes, like to a movie," said Preet. "Gaurav has already bought the tickets, but I'm not sure for which movie. Now that I think about it, that's irrelevant, because we could always get other tickets if you want to see something else. You know what my Heer Bhabi says?"
"What?" smiled Meher.
"Nothing is set in stone," replied Preet. "Of course, we could do something else altogether, but I think a movie is a pretty good starting point for a first date, don't you?"
"I don't know, I've never been on a date," blushed Meher.
"You haven't?" said Preet.
Meher shook her head.
"Oh...well then, I can tell you for sure that a movie is a pretty safe bet for a first date," said Preet. "I mean, you can dress casually, the cost is within most people's budget, the theater is dark, so you can cozy up to each other, or if you're on a blind date going sour then you can avoid looking at each other and pass the time by focusing on whatever is playing on the screen. And if you can't think of what to say to each other, whether the movie was good or bad can always be a point of conversation. And I'm beginning to sound like a stupid advertising campaign promoting the cinema experience...so will you please just say yes?"
"Yes," smiled Meher.
"Great," smiled Preet. "Um...I'll pick you up at 7. I mean, we'll all meet up here at 7. I mean not here...this is your room. I meant downstairs. At 7."
"Okay," laughed Meher.
"Okay," grinned Preet. "It's a deal. I mean, it's a date...I mean...not a date date...we're doing this to help Sam and Gaurav, so they're the ones going on a real date. But there is no reason for us not to have a good time either, so it is kind of like a date too...but not if you don't want it to be...I mean..." He jumped up and headed towards the door. "...I better just go and tell Gaurav." Oh God! What is wrong with me?! What was I saying in there?! Thought Preet. Well, at least she said yes'.
Preet hurried downstairs and headed back to the guesthouse. Gaurav was pacing the floor waiting for him. "What did she say?" he asked.
"She said Yes'," sighed Preet.
"Alright!" said Gaurav. "So why the long face?"
"Because I nearly made a fool of myself blabbering like an idiot in front of her!" said Preet.
"It's okay yaar," smiled Gaurav, as he put a reassuring hand on Preet's shoulder. "It's normal to get a bit flustered around someone you have a crush on."
Preet rolled his eyes.
"Anyway, this is great isn't it? You and me on a double date," smiled Gaurav.
"Gaurav...Meher and I are only going so that you can spend time with Sam," Preet reminded him. "We're not going to be on a real date. Meher's never even been on a date before."
"Really? So that means you'll be her first," said Gaurav. "Okay look, I have to go call Sam and make sure she's in. I'll see you later."
As Preet watched Gaurav leave, a smile broke out on his face. The fact that Meher had never been on a date before and he would be her first was an idea that appealed very much to him, very much indeed.
A short while later...
Meher was looking through her closet for something to wear for her evening out with Preet and their friends. It was still early, but she was excited. A date, she smiled. Her very first date, so she wanted to dress nicely. Well, she and Preet were actually helping to set up Sam and Gaurav, but Preet did say there was no harm in them having a good time either. She chose a shalwar-kameez outfit, then walked over to her dresser and pulled out a small jewelry box. She was debating as to which earrings would go best with her clothes when Ashlesha walked into her room.
"Hey Meher, Maasi wants you to come down and do the laundry," she said.
"Oh, okay," said Meher. I guess I'll have to pick out my earrings later, she decided, as she put her little jewelry box away. There was plenty of time, so she wasn't worried.
Ashlesha followed Meher down to the utility room where the washing machine was kept. "I don't have any plans this evening so do you want to do something together?" she asked.
"Thanks, but I already have plans," Meher said as she began to sort the wash. She carefully picked up a shirt and put it to one side.
"You do?" Ashlesha asked in surprise. "Are you going out? Can I come too?"
"Um...I'm afraid not," said Meher. "Sam and I are going out with Preet and Gaurav. They've invited us to see a movie. I think they only have 4 tickets. Maybe another time?"
"Preet is taking you out to see a movie? How did you manage that?" asked Ashlesha.
"What?" said Meher.
"Nothing," said Ashlesha. When she was sure Meher wasn't looking, she picked up the shirt that had been put aside, brought it up to her face and inhaled deeply. She could detect Preet's warm masculine scent still on it.
"What are you doing?" Meher asked, giving Ashlesha an odd look.
"Nothing! I mean...uh...isn't this Preet's shirt?" asked Ashlesha. "Aren't you going to put it in the machine with the rest of the clothes?"
"No, this one needs to be hand washed separately," explained Meher. "I'll take care of it later."
"You know...you and Preet seem really close," said Ashlesha.
"Well, he's a nice guy," said Meher. "It's easy to get along with him."
"Not for me," frowned Ashlesha. "He treats me with so much disdain that it makes me feel lower than an insect."
"You 2 did start off on the wrong foot," said Meher. "Maybe you can do something nice for him and win him over."
"Hmm, that's a great idea," said Ashlesha, as she eyed Preet's shirt. "Thanks Meher."
Later that day...
"Oh my Rabs! What is this?!" screeched Kuljeet. "Meher! Meher!!"
"Ji Kuljeet Ma", Meher said as she came running from the kitchen.
"I told you to take care of the clothes that needed washing, didn't I?!" asked Kuljeet.
"Yes, and I did," said Meher. "They were drying on line. I'll go and get them right after I finish with the cooking."
"There's no need, I already brought them in. And that's why I want to know what happened to this shirt?!" demanded Kuljeet. "You do know who this shirt belongs to, don't you?!
Meher's eyes grew wide as Kuljeet held up Preet's shirt, the one she had put aside to wash by hand. It had colored streaks all over it.
"You not only washed it, you ruined it!" cried Kuljeet. "God knows how expensive this shirt is going to be to replace now!"
"But I didn't wash it," said Meher.
"You just told me you did the wash!" said Kuljeet. "And now you're trying to get out of trouble by lying about ruining this shirt! How dare you?!" She raised her hand to strike Meher.
Meher flinched and raised her hand to her cheek, fully expecting to feel the blow from her step mother's slap, but it never came. Someone had stopped her. Meher looked up surprised to see Kuljeet's arm in Preet's grip.
"Enough Mrs. Maan. Enough," said Preet as he stepped protectively in front of Meher and lowered Kuljeet's arm.
Visibly upset, Kuljeet jerked her arm away. "With all due respect Mr. Juneja, you are my husband's boss and a guest in our house, but that does not give you the right to interfere in our personal family matters. I'll discipline my daughter any way I wish!"
"You call her your daughter, yet you treat her worse than someone would treat their servant," said Preet. "And you expect me to just stand by and watch?"
"I treat her as she deserves," retorted Kuljeet. "And you'll be equally furious with her when you find out what she has done this time. Look at this! Look at what she's done to your imported shirt." Preet looked at the shirt Kuljeet was holding up. It was covered with fuchia streak marks.
"Preet, I swear...I didn't do this," sobbed Meher. "I put the shirt aside to hand wash later...I didn't..."
"Meher, I don't care about the shirt," sighed Preet.
"Well, that is very generous of you Mr. Juneja," said Kuljeet. "But this child still needs to be disciplined for lying."
"Lying?" said Preet.
"Yes lying," said Kuljeet. "The shirt didn't get up and wash itself, so she's obviously lying. You're grounded Meher."
"Grounded? But I had plans," protested Meher. She looked at Preet. "We...I mean Sam and I...we were all going out."
"Well then call her and tell her you can't come," Kuljeet said flatly. "I absolutely forbid you from taking even one step outside that door."
"This is so unfair," said Meher. "I didn't even do anything."
"Ha! She lies again. Fine...we'll add no dinner to your list," Kuljeet said narrowing her eyes. "You want to keep going?"
"Mrs. Maan, please...," tried Preet.
Kuljeet raised her hand and silenced him. "Mr. Juneja, it's bad enough that you've sent my husband out of town on business leaving me to deal with this problem child on my own," said Kuljeet. "I expect you to at least respect my decision and not delve further into our family's problems. Go to your room Meher."
"But...," said Meher.
"Now!" cried Kuljeet. "Those crocodile tears have no effect on me you know!" She watched as Meher ran upstairs crying. She had overheard Meher telling Ashlesha about her plans to go out, and was determined to spoil them. That will teach her a lesson! She thought smiling to herself. How dare she not to agree to sell that stupid farm!
Preet stood helpless as Kuljeet handed him his ruined shirt and walked away with a triumphant smile on her face. He looked at the shirt in disgust and was about toss it to one side when he caught a glance of Ashlesha. She had been standing at the top of the stairs watching the entire drama unfold below. When she saw Preet looking at her, she shrugged her shoulders and walked away.
Preet looked back down at his shirt. The color of the streaks on it seemed very familiar. Where had he seen it? The dress Ashlesha had been wearing this morning! Of course!
So there you have it. Hope you all liked the update. 😛
I'm sure you all must have recognized plenty of Kis Desh dialogues. They were put in the update deliberately 😆
Please remember to hit the like button and leave your feedback.
Take care and happy reading. 🤗
Chapter 11: Preview: Preet sneaks Meher out of the house
Link to Chapter 11: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/131722107
Link to: Table of Contents
Edited by Fatima_Q - 9 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Cricket
