Chapter 20 - Reality Bites
Meher was pacing in the living room chewing nervously on her finger nails. Preet had stood in the rain for hours before Gaurav had finally taken him away. Was he alright? She wondered where he was, and what he was doing. Considering she had rebuffed him so badly, she couldn't exactly pick up the phone and call him and find out. He must hate her so much now. If only there was some way to get some news.
"I can't believe this!" cried Balwant Singh. "Preet Juneja was standing outside our home in the rain, and no one had the decency to let him in!"
"Well, how was I supposed to know who he was?" said his wife. "He had been waiting outside for 2 days and didn't even once come to the door. How was I supposed to know he wasn't some nut case? But these 2..." She grabbed both Sam and Meher by the ears. "These 2 knew. Meher even went out to talk to him, but still no one told me what was going on?"
"Ow Ma!" cried Sam. "That hurts!"
Mrs. Singh let the girls go. "I don't know what is wrong with the children these days. And God knows what the Shermas must be thinking about us."
"It's no wonder they were concerned. Gaurav and Preet Juneja are childhood friends, just like Sam and Meher," sighed Mr. Singh. He then turned to question Meher.
"Meher, you do realize that your father and I work for the Junejas, don't you?" he asked. Meher nodded quietly. "I mean, my contract is almost over, but that is your father's permanent job. Why on earth then would you behave the way you did?"
Meher was quiet.
"There is something more going on here than meets the eye, I tell you," said Mrs. Singh. "Something these 2 girls are not telling us. I should have gone out and spoken to the boy myself."
"What did Mr. Juneja want?" asked Balwant Singh. Meher remained silent and stared at the floor. "I thought you all were friends. Is there a problem? Should I call your parents?"
"No!" cried Meher. "There's nothing wrong. You need not call anyone. This has all just been a big misunderstanding. I'm so sorry for upsetting everyone. Please Uncle Balwant don't call my parents. I won't cause you any more trouble. I'll go home first thing tomorrow morning, I promise."
"You don't have to go home tomorrow Meher, but I do expect you to call Mr. Juneja first thing in the morning and apologize," sighed Balwant Singh. "I still can't make heads or tails of this situation." He rubbed his temples with his fingers. "In fact, I'm getting a headache just thinking about it."
"It's getting late, you should go lie down," suggested Mrs. Singh. "There is nothing more we can do tonight anyway. You girls finish cleaning up the kitchen and then go straight to bed. Come Balwant, I'll get you some medicine for your headache."
Mr. Singh nodded. He looked at Sam and Meher and shook his head in disappointment one last time before following his wife upstairs.
A short while later...
Meher dried up the last of the dinner dishes and put it away, while Sam finished wiping up the kitchen counters. Both girls worked quietly, until they were done. Meher watched Sam toss the cloth she was using to one side and walk out of the kitchen. She removed her own apron, folded it neatly and placed it on the counter, then headed out to the living room after her friend.
"I can't believe Preet could be so selfish!" cried Sam. She threw her hands up in frustration then plopped down on the sofa. "This was supposed to be such an important night for me. I was supposed to meet my in-laws for the very first time. I cooked and cleaned all day and they didn't even stay for dinner. Gaurav didn't even come inside the house. Everyone was too worried about Preet! My entire evening got ruined!"
"I'm so sorry Sam. I didn't mean for any of this to happen," said Meher. "This is all my fault. I never should have come here in the first place. Preet lives in Delhi. What was I thinking?!"
"That's exactly what I want to know Meher," said Gaurav. He stood at the front door with a grim look on his face."
"Gaurav, you're here," smiled Sam as she ran to him. "Your parents left almost as soon as they came, but I suppose you already knew that. Did you eat? Are you hungry? How about if I heat up some..."
Ignoring Sam, Gaurav walked right past her and came to face Meher. "Why did you do it Meher? Why did you treat Preet the way you did?" He demanded, glaring at her angrily.
"Will you please keep your voice down," hissed Sam, as she came to Meher's defense. "My parents just went to bed a little while ago. And what do you mean why did she do it? Meher didn't do anything. If anything, we should be asking your friend why he was standing outside my house like a fool for the past 2 days."
"So you knew he was out there and you just let him rot," Gaurav said with gritted teeth.
"Yes, we knew he was out there. How could we not help but notice?" said Sam. "He was being a royal pain. He even had a sign. Do you have any idea how many questions Ma was asking? She actually thought he was a stalker. Thank God Meher's step-mother didn't call. Ma would surely have said something and the poor girl would have been in deep do-do."
"She could have at least spoken to him," said Gaurav.
"She did," replied Sam. "She asked him to leave, but he just wouldn't go away."
"That's because he came here to tell her he loved her," said Gaurav. He glared at Meher. "He loves you Meher!"
"If he loves Meher so much then why is he marrying Ashlesha Rampal?" demanded Sam.
"You really think he'd marry Ashlesha?" argued Gaurav. "That's so typical of you girls, jumping to conclusions without knowing all the facts."
"Oh...so now you think I'm not smart enough to tell between fact and fiction," frowned Sam. "Is that your chief complaint or are there others? Go ahead...you may as well get them out of your system before we get married or engaged even!"
"Guys please stop arguing!" cried Meher. "Sam, I appreciate you being a good friend and standing by my side, but I'd never forgive myself if you 2 got into a fight because of me. Both Sam and Gaurav grew silent."
Meher took a deep breath before continuing. "Gaurav, is Preet alright?" she asked.
"Are you sure you care?" asked Gaurav. "I mean, the guy poured his heart out to you and you just ripped him to shreds."
"Stop it Gaurav," warned Sam. "Can't you see how torn up she is about this?"
"Gaurav, please...I have to know...is he alright?" pleaded Meher.
Gaurav took a seat on the sofa and shook his head. "I don't know. He was having a pretty bad case of the chills. Heer Bhabi said he had a fever too. Prem Bhaiya had called the family doctor just before I left."
"Oh no," cried Meher. She covered her face with her hands.
"I still don't get it Meher," said Gaurav. "You love Preet. I know you do. Then, why did you reject him?"
"What else did you expect me to do Gaurav?" asked Meher. "I myself am confused as to why he came here and bothered to profess his love for me when he's going to marry Ashlesha."
"He doesn't want to marry Ashlesha," Gaurav shook his head.
"Then why would his father have made the announcement?" asked Meher.
"Juneja Enterprises is tottering on the brink of bankruptcy," explained Gaurav. "They could lose everything. Mr. Juneja made a deal with the Rampals, Preet and Ashlesha's marriage, in return for a much needed influx of cash and investments into Juneja enterprises. The whole thing happened while we were in Ludhiana. Preet found out the same time you guys did."
"Bankruptcy?" said Sam. She and Meher exchanged surprised looks. "Are you sure?"
"Damn sure," sighed Gaurav. "They've already begun to liquidate some of their assets."
"But you guys were in Ludhiana renovating the hotel," said Meher.
"Yes we were," nodded Gaurav. "But if Juneja Enterprises doesn't get the funds it needs to continue operating, that hotel along with everything else they own will go on the selling block."
"Oh my God," whispered Meher.
"But depite all this, Preet refused to agree to his father's proposal," explained Gaurav. "He's willing to sacrifice a lot of things Meher, but not you...he's adamant that if he is going to get married it will only be to you. And that...is what he was standing outside trying to tell you."
Meher put her hand on her mouth. "Oh no," she sobbed.
"Oh no is right," said Sam. She threw her fiance a remorseful look. "I guess we both owe Preet an apology. I'm sure he'll be okay about it. I mean, he's a sporting guy, right Gaurav?"
"Ordinarily I'd say yes," replied Gaurav. "But if someone had treated me the way Meher treated him, I'd be pretty pissed."
"We'll call him first thing in the morning," offered Sam. "Better yet, we can pay him a visit, and apologize in person. I'm sure he'd really like that. Don't you think so Meher?"
"Hmm," Meher nodded absentmindedly.
"Meher are you okay?" asked Sam. "You seem like you're in a daze or something."
"Huhn? Oh...yeah...I'm fine," Meher said giving her a weak smile. "Would you guys please excuse me? I'm suddenly feeling very tired."
"Yeah sure," smiled Sam. "We'll talk in the morning."
Gaurav watched Meher head up the stairs. "I guess I should go too," he stood up and said.
"Wait a minute Gaurav. Don't go just yet," said Sam, wringing her hands nervously. "I mean...I think we should talk."
"Okay...so talk," said Gaurav.
"I...um...I guess we just sort of had our first fight," said Sam.
"Yeah...maybe we did." Gaurav smiled and scratched his head.
"Well, I for one didn't like arguing with you," said Sam.
"I wasn't enjoying myself either Sam," sighed Gaurav. "But you know the good thing about having a fight?"
"What?" asked Sam.
"You get to make up," Gaurav grinned as he pulled Sam into a warm embrace, and kissed her on the top of her head.
"I'm sorry Gaurav," Sam smiled as she held onto him tightly.
"I'm sorry too," said Gaurav. "But I'm kind of worried. Is this how it's going to be? Every time Preet and Meher get into a fight, we'll get into one too? I mean, they are our best friends, but...yeh na ho, ke inko kareeb la ne ke chakar mein hum dono alag ho jaye (In the process of bringing these 2 together, we don't want to get separated).
"Hmm, I see what you mean," agreed Sam. "How about if from now on...we'll be there for them like good friends, but we won't take sides."
"That's going to be difficult," said Gaurav. "But I suppose you're right. Okay done." He smiled and hugged Sam again.
"Hey, did I just hear your stomach growl?" joked Sam. "You hungry?"
"Now that you mention it, I am hungry," laughed Gaurav. "I totally missed out on dinner. How about letting me in on some of the goodies you whipped up?"
"Coming right up," smiled Sam. She took his hand and led him towards the kitchen. "Meher made dessert, but I pretty much made everything else," she said proudly. "I only wish your parents had stayed."
"Don't worry about that," smiled Gaurav. "There's plenty of time for my parents to get to know you. How about I make reservations and we all go out for dinner tomorrow night? No cooking. No cleaning. No stress. Just a nice night out with the family."
"I'm game," said Sam. "Now come on. I'm dying to hear what you think about my cooking."
Up on the stairs, Meher smiled as she watched Sam and Gaurav head off to the kitchen. She had forgotten her phone and was coming back to get it, when she witnessed the last few minutes of their exchange. She exhaled a big sigh of relief. Chalo, at least things are back to normal between them, she thought. She made a mental note not to involve Sam any further in her troubles with Preet. She then quietly tiptoed down the stairs, retrieved her phone from the coffee table in the living room, and headed back to her room. Once there, she closed the door behind her and began to get ready for bed.
She walked over to the dressing table, picked up her hairbrush and started brushing out her hair, while her mind tried to process everything Gaurav had told her tonight. Preet loved her. He really loved her! He had stood for hours in the rain just to prove that he was committed to her! He wanted to marry her not Ashlesha! Because he loved her, not Ashlesha! Preet Juneja was in love with little old ordinary Meher Maan!
Her cheeks grew warm and a smile broke out onto her face, but it faded as quickly as it had appeared. What am I getting all excited about? She scolded herself. This still doesn't change the fact that Preet's family wants him to marry Ashlesha. Preet himself had admitted that his father had issues with his feelings for me. In other words, he wants Ashlesha for a daughter-in-law, not me. I can't really blame him. He needs the Rampals' help to save his company. Preet's PB, Heer Didi, little Chahat, and everyone else had been so kind and welcoming to me. They could lose everything if I behave selfishly and expect Preet to go against his family's wishes and marry me. Preet and Meher? Impossible. Time for a reality check Meher Maan. Things like that don't happen to ordinary people like you.
Meher quietly walked over to her bed, turned the covers down and slid in. She had never felt so conflicted before in her life. After much deliberation, she made up her mind. She loved Preet, and had hurt him terribly today. He would only be hurt more if she continued to stay in Delhi. She had to leave. She had to stay as far away from Preet as possible so he could marry Ashlesha. His family would be saved from bankruptcy. Life would go on. And even if she would never forget him, he would eventually forget about her.
The next morning...
Meher sat in the kitchen quietly sipping her tea when Sam walked in.
"Hey Meher," she smiled. "You're up early. Did you eat yet?"
"No, I was just having some tea," said Meher.
"Good," smiled Sam. "Gaurav is going to come by in a little while, and we're going out for breakfast. I thought you'd like to come along?"
"Me?" Meher asked in surprise. "Why would I want to be the 3rd wheel?"
"Because we're going to go check on Preet afterwards," said Sam.
"What? No!" said Meher.
"Why not?" asked Sam. "You promised Dad you'd apologize to him. What better way to do it than in person?"
"No," Meher shook her head.
"Why not?" Sam asked again.
"Because..I just...can't," said Meher.
"That's not a good enough answer," Sam said, as she folded her arms in front of her.
"Sam, why can't you understand? I wouldn't feel comfortable facing him," said Meher. "I'm already confused about everything that's happened as it is. I don't want to complicate things further by giving Preet the impression that there can ever be something between us."
"Why not?" asked Sam.
"Because his family wants him to marry Ashlesha," explained Meher. "They'll go bankrupt otherwise."
"Oh God! Don't tell me you're going to do your part by sacrificing true love in the name of family fortune," Sam rolled her eyes. "Come on Meher, this is not some day time soap, this is your life we're talking about."
"Not just my life Sam, it's a lot of people's lives being affected here. It's for the best," insisted Meher.
"For who?" asked Sam. "You'll be miserable. And what about what Preet wants?"
"I don't know," sighed Meher.
Just then Balwant Singh walked into the kitchen with the morning newspaper in his hand. "Good morning girls," he smiled.
"Good morning dad," smiled Sam.
"Hmm. The kitchen is missing its usual delicious aromas," Balwant remarked looking around. "Mrs. Singh is still asleep but you guys are up. Don't tell me you both are on a diet or something? It's never smart to miss breakfast, you know."
"I'd be happy to make something for you Uncle Balwant," offered Meher. She walked over to the fridge and took out some eggs, bread and butter. Moments later, she placed a plate of piping hot breakfast in front of Mr. Singh.
"Thanks Meher," smiled Balwant, as he put his paper aside and began eating. "Why don't you girls join me?"
"Actually dad, Gaurav is taking us out for breakfast," explained Sam. "We're going to see Preet afterwards. I figured apologizing for our behavior in person is a lot better than just a phone call. What do you think dad?"
"Sounds like a good idea to me," smiled Balwant.
"Correction," Meher shook her head. "Gaurav is taking you out for breakfast, and you can go see Preet if you want. Uncle Balwant, if you're heading back to Ludhiana today, I'd like to go with you."
"I'm afraid I don't have to go back for few days Meher," said Balwant.
"You don't?" Meher said disappointedly.
"No, not until the hotel opening anyway. So feel free to keep your plans and visit Mr. Juneja," said Balwant. "In fact, send him my regards while you're there and tell him we'll miss him at the opening." He finished his breakfast and took his plate to the sink, then turned to speak to the girls. "I know all you young folks are friends and some misunderstanding has occurred between you, but if you wait too long to correct the matter, little little things can fester and turn into a lifetime of grudges." He put his hand affectionately on Meher's head. "It's best to nip the evil in the bud, and not let that happen, understand beta?"
"I couldn't agree with you more dad," grinned Sam. She waited until her father left the kitchen before turning to Meher. "You heard what dad said, didn't you? I guess you'll have to go with us now," she smiled.
Meher only glared at her friend.
Meanwhile...
Ashlesha was talking to someone on the phone, when Daljeet walked into her room.
"I have to go," whispered Ashlesha, as she abruptly ended her call. "Mom! How can you just walk in here like that?" She complained. "This is my room. I should be entitled to some privacy."
"Oh shut up Ash," Daljeet rolled her eyes. "I'm your mother. You're not entitled to any privacy from me." She looked at her daughter with narrowing eyes. "Who were you on the phone with just now?"
"Oh...no one important," said Ashlesha, as she gripped her phone tightly in her hand.
"Well I just got off the phone with Maya Juneja," said Daljeet. "Preet is apparently ill. I want you to pay him a visit, and see how he is."
"Preet is sick?" said Ashlesha. "But what if it's something contagious? I don't want to catch any of his germs."
"Silly girl!" cried Daljeet. "Do you or do you not want to marry the guy?"
Ashlesha nodded her head.
"Well then, go over there, sit by his bed, hold his hand, and feed him some soup or something," said Daljeet. "You have to strike when the iron's hot Ashlesha. He's feeling down right now. Show him some sympathy and win his heart."
"With soup?" mumbled Ashlesha. "I don't know how to make any soup."
"I know," Daljeet said dryly. "Ask the cook to whip up a batch and you can take it over to Preet. You know, show him your sympathetic side. Let him know you care."
Ashlesha thought about her last visit to Preet's house and his reaction to their marriage proposal. She hadn't seen him since. "Shouldn't we wait until Daddy gets some news from Mr. Juneja?" she asked. "I mean, what if Preet doesn't want me to be there?"
"Since when did we start caring about what other people want?" said Daljeet. "Look, we don't have to tell your father, but you can't miss out on this opportunity to make inroads with Preet." She picked up on her daughter's hesitation and rolled her eyes. "Just do it Ash. You know how important this is."
Ashlesha quietly nodded her head and watched her mother walk out of her room.
As soon as she was out of her daughter's room Daljeet picked up her phone and dialed a number. "Hello Huma, this is Mrs. Rampal. I'm on my way to the office. I want my daughter's phone records for the last 6 months on my desk when I get there."
A short while later...
Gaurav picked up Sam from her home. "I thought Meher was coming with us," he said, as she took a seat and fastened her seatbelt.
"I thought so too, but she backed out at the last minute," sighed Sam. "She kept insisting that she didn't want to be the 3rd wheel. I just think she's trying to avoid Preet."
"What? Why?" asked Gaurav. "I thought I told her how he felt about her last night. Doesn't she care?"
"She does care," said Sam. "But you also told her that Preet's family would go bankrupt if he didn't marry Ashlesha. I think she's determined to stay away from him because of that."
"Oh no," sighed Gaurav. "Maybe I should go talk to her again."
"No Gaurav," Sam shook her head. "You don't know Meher like I do. She can be very stubborn when she wants to be. I think we need to let Preet and Meher sort this one out for themselves."
"Maybe you're right," sighed Gaurav.
"Of course I'm right," smiled Sam. "So, where are you taking me for breakfast?"
"Well, since it's just the 2 of us, how about if I take you home?" grinned Gaurav.
"You want to take me to your place?" said Sam.
"Yeah, I'll cook you breakfast," said Gaurav. "Trust me, it'll be better than anything the local restaurant can serve up."
"A man who loves me and can feed me, I love it," giggled Sam. "Are you sure your mom won't mind?" asked Sam.
"Nah, my dad cooks for my mom all the time," chuckled Gaurav. "Besides...no one is at home right now."
Meanwhile...
Meher watched from her bedroom window as Gaurav and Sam drove away. She had made the right decision not to go, she decided. It would be better for everyone concerned if she stayed away from Preet altogether. She should forget about him. He would forget about her too. Uncle Balraj still expected her to call and apologize. If only Sam hadn't mentioned her plans to him. She would have to come up with an explanation for him, as to why she didn't go.
Just then her phone rang. To her surprise, it was Ashlesha. Why is she calling me? Meher wondered. Did Preet say something to her? Did she find out I'm the reason he's refusing to marry her? Oh God! Daljeet will surely call Kuljeet and then I'm dead! She took a deep breath and answered. "Hello Ashlesha."
"Hey Meher, are you still in town?" asked Ashlesha.
"Yes Ashlesha...I am," said Meher.
"Good," smiled Ashlesha. "Listen, whatever you have planned for today, I want you to cancel it. I need your help. Mom got a call from Preet's Bhabi. He's really sick."
"Preet is sick?" Meher asked worriedly. "Oh no. I was afraid something like this would happen after..." She paused mid-sentence.
"After what?" asked Ashlesha.
"Nothing," lied Meher. "Is it bad? Is he taking medication? What did the doctor say?"
"I don't know," said Ashlesha. "But I'm planning to go and see him, and I thought you'd like to come along."
"Me?" asked Meher.
"Yeah, you 2 are friends aren't you?" said Ashlesha. "I mean, don't you want to pay him a get well visit?"
"Why don't you go and tell me how it went?" suggested Meher. I broke his heart and made him ill. How could I possibly face him now? She wondered.
"Alright Meher, I'm going to level with you," sighed Ashlesha. "I want you to go with me, because I'm not sure how Preet will react to my visiting him."
I'm not sure how he'll react to me either, thought Meher.
"I mean, you must know by now we're getting married, continued Ashlesha. "Mom said that it was really important otherwise Preet's family would go bankrupt. And I agreed because I...uh...I love Preet. But I'm not a 100% sure he feels the same way about me. Mom says he's just being moody because she talked to his father about us, rather than talking directly to him. She didn't know he doesn't get along with his father. But she said the more time I spend with Preet, the more he'll grow to like me. It's just that I get so nervous around him that I always wind up doing something stupid or putting my foot in my mouth. But Meher, you're his friend and my friend and your being there will really help. You know him so well, you can tell me if I'm doing something he doesn't like and what I should do that he will like. I just want so much for him to like me. Please help me Meher...please!
Meher shook her head. How could she make Ashlesha understand that her going to see Preet would have the direct opposite effect of what she wanted, because she was the reason he wasn't willing to marry Ashlesha in the first place.
"Meher, are you even listening to me?" asked Ashlesha.
"Ashlesha...," began Meher.
"Meher if you don't agree, I'll...I'll call Kuljeet Maasi and tell her to make you come!" cried Ashlesha.
"What?!" cried Meher. "Are you threatening me?"
"Well, how else am I supposed to make you go?" sighed Ashlesha.
"Good-bye Ashlesha," said Meher. She hung up on her. Ugh! The nerve of that girl! No one is going to convince me to go see Preet, and that's final!
Just then her phone rang again. Meher picked it up angrily without even bothering to see who it was. "Ashlesha...," she cried. "If you think you can bully me into..."
"Meher Maasi?" said a small voice on the other end. "It's me Chahat."
Hope you all found the chapter interesting. 😊
Please hit the like button and leave your feedback for me.
It would be greatly appreciated.
Links to lots of Meet scenes are on page 1, 5th post of this thread, so do check them out.
If anyone has working links to Desh episodes with Meet scenes that you want me to upload
Please PM the link to me.
Take care and happy reading. 🤗
Chapter 20: Preview: Meher takes care of Preet
Link to Chapter 21: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/135264652
Link to: Table of Contents
Edited by Fatima_Q - 8 years ago
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