Fatima's Cozy Corner 2 - Link to New Corner on Pg 152 :) - Page 95

awesum update,srry fr not commenting much.

Originally posted by: Fatima_Q

Okay done😆

ur the bestest... love u Fatima!!

Fantabulous episode Fatima ...👏I'm happy meher cme 2 know truth nd im feelng bad for her as she is stuck nd she thinks a lot nd responsible girl...👍🏼

Chapter 21 - A Little White Lie

"Chahat?" Meher said in surprise. She could sense the anxiety in the little girl's voice. "Hi sweetie. Is everything alright?"

"I'm not sure," said Chahat. "Preet Chachu's sick."

"I heard," said Meher. "But don't you worry, I'm sure everyone is looking after him really well. He'll be fine in no time."

"I don't know about that," said Chahat. "Nobody's home."

"What do you mean no one's home?" Meher asked worriedly. "Are you by yourself? Where is your mother?"

"Daddu and Herman Chacha left for a meeting early this morning. And I think Maya Chachee and Veera Bua went shopping. Mommy was looking after Chachu, but she had to take Daddy to the airport. He has a meeting in London he needed to get to," explained Chahat. "Mommy asked me to be a big girl and take care of Preet Chachu until she returned."

"Oh...I see," said Meher.

"We're out of medicine, and she said she would pick some up on her way back, but she still hasn't come back yet," continued Chahat. "Preet Chachu is asleep. He's been sleeping all morning. I tried to get him to wake up. I thought he'd like to watch cartoons with me, but he's really hot and he won't get out of bed, so I've been watching TV in his room. He did wake up for a little bit and I tried to get him to eat some cereal but he wouldn't. I think if Mommy was here she'd make some soup for him, but I'm only 6 years old, and I'm not allowed to turn the stove on yet. Besides, I don't even know how to make soup. Can you please come over? Mommy said to take care of Chachu until she returned, but I don't really know how to. And I'm scared. What if something happens to him before she comes back?"

"Oh Chahat sweetie of course I'll come over," Meher reassured the girl. "And I'll bring some medicine too. Don't you worry at all, I'll be right there."

Meher hung up the phone grabbed her purse and then ran out of her room. She wasn't keen on playing Florence Nightingale to Preet, but she couldn't leave Chahat alone and afraid like that either. What was wrong with Heer Didi?! How could she abandon Preet and Chahat like that?!

Meanwhile...

"Well, what did she say?" Heer asked Chahat.

"She said she's on her way," grinned Chahat.

"Yay! Good job!" Heer smiled and gave her daughter a high-5.

"Mommy, didn't we just lie to Meher Maasi? And isn't it a bad thing to lie?" asked Chahat.

"Um...uh...yes...you should never lie. Lying is a bad thing to do, but...we didn't lie," said Heer. "I mean, not really. All the grown ups are out doing grown up things, right?"

"Right," said Chahat.

"And Preet Chachu is sick, right?" Heer pointed out.

"Yes," agreed Chahat.

"And your Chachu is not taking the medicine Dr. D'Souza left for him last night, so we need to pick up something different for him," said Heer.

"Yes, but I'm not alone," said Chahat. "You're here with me."

"Oh that...well...I...uh...I'm not going to be here for long," said Heer. "I'm taking your daddy to the airport remember?"

"But we told Meher Maasi that you already left," said Chahat.

"That's because she wouldn't have come over otherwise," sighed Heer.

"Why not? Isn't she Chachu's friend anymore?" asked Chahat.

"She is...but sometimes misunderstandings occur between people who care about each other," explained Heer. "That's sort of what happened between your Chachu and Meher. We're just helping them to see each other so they can work things out."

Just then Prem walked into the room. "Heer where are all the servants? There is no one here to take my bags to the car."

"The cook is at the market shopping for groceries, and I gave the rest of the staff the morning off," smiled Heer.

"What? Why?" asked Prem.

"I thought it would help if we cut down on our expenses a little," said Heer. "Besides, no one is at home, so what's the point of having so much staff on hand?"

"Who's going to take me to the airport?" asked Prem.

"I will," Heer smiled and held up the car keys. "Come on, I'll help you with your bags too."

"Wait a minute, what about Chahat?" asked Prem. "We can't leave her here alone."

"I won't be alone for long daddy," smiled Chahat. "Meher Maasi is on her way."

Heer tried to signal Chahat to be quiet by putting a finger on her lips, but the little girl didn't take notice.

"She's going to take care of me and Preet Chachu until mommy gets back from the airport," continued Chahat.

"Meher? I thought Preet and Meher had a fight," said Prem. He looked at Heer with a raised eyebrow. "How did you manage to swing this one?"

"Uh...um...Prem...what's with all the questions this morning?" Heer stammered. "Come on, we'll be late for your flight."

"Wait a minute," said Prem. "Why do I get the feeling that you're not telling me everything? Just how did you get Meher to agree to come over?"

"I...uh...heh heh...," Heer wrung her hands nervously.

"You lied to her," Prem pointed an accusing finger at Heer. "You lied to get her over here, didn't you?"

"What? Me lie? Heh heh...whatever gave you that idea?" Heer cried defensively.

"Because you're wringing your hands," said Prem. "You always do that when you're trying to cover up something."

"Mommy didn't lie daddy, I did," Chahat grinned proudly.

"You? Heer? You used Chahat?" Prem said in surprise. "How could you?"

"Well, what else was I supposed to do?" sighed Heer. "Didn't you see the condition Preet was in last night? Instead of getting better, he's gotten worse. He won't eat no matter how many times I threaten him. He's lethargic and aching with fever, but he won't take his medication. It's as if he's punishing himself on purpose, because he thinks Meher doesn't care about him. I don't know about you, but I can't bear to see him this way."

"I know you mean well," said Prem. "But still...lying...? What will Meher think when she finds out the truth."

"She won't find out, because we won't tell her, right Chahat?" smiled Heer.

"Right," smiled Chahat.

"I still can't believe you got Chahat involved," frowned Prem. "She's 6 years old, these are her formative years. What kind of a parenting example are we setting?"

"But daddy...aap ne hi to kaha tha...jo jhoot kisi ke faiday ke liye bola jata hai woh jhoot jhoot nahi hota (a little white lie doesn't count if it helps someone out)," said Chahat.

"Huhn? When did he say that?" asked Heer.

"Yeah, when did I say that?" asked Prem.

"Remember last week when you were watching the game on TV and Mommy tried on the jeans she had bought from the mall and asked you if they made her look fat," Chahat reminded him. "You told her no. When I asked you why you lied, you said if you had told her the truth she'd be hurt and then you wouldn't be able to watch the rest of the game in peace."

"What?!?" cried Heer. "Prem Juneja, how could you?!"

Now it was Prem's turn to be on the defensive. "Oh boy! he said looking at his watch. "Look at the time. I better be on my way or I'll miss my flight." He picked up his bags and quickly headed out of the room.

"Just a minute Prem!" Heer walked out after him. "I'm not done with you!"

Chahat shook her head. Grown ups were very confusing people.

A shortwhile later...

Meher rang the bell at the Juneja Mansion. Chahat opened the door almost immediately.

"Meher Maasi, I'm so glad you're here!" Chahat hugged her.

"Thanks," Meher smiled. She looked around cautiously as she walked inside. The thought that this may be some ploy by Preet to see her again had just crossed her mind. "How come you're opening the door? Where are all the servants?"

"How am I supposed to know?" Chahat shrugged her shoulders. "I'm only 6. No one tells me anything."

"Okay well, I've got the medicine," sighed Meher. She held up a small bag from the pharmacy. "How about we go check on your Chachu?"

Chahat nodded then took Meher by the hand and led her to Preet's room.

Meher gasped at the disheveled state of the room. "What happened to this room?" she asked Chahat. "It looks like it's been ransacked."

"Nothing," said Chahat. "That's what it usually looks like before the housekeeper comes by to fix it."

"Oh," said Meher. She glanced over to the large poster bed where Preet lay. He was dressed in his pajamas, with the top unbuttoned almost all the way. A sheet was pulled up to his waist in a tangled mess, and a cartoon was playing on the flat screen TV on the wall.

Chahat climbed onto the bed and shook Preet. "Chachu look who's here," she said.

Preet's eyes fluttered open lazily. He blinked in genuine surprise when he saw his visitor. "Meher?" he whispered.

Meher stood in the doorway of his room. "I...uh...I'm sorry. You probably weren't expecting me. It's just that...uh...Chahat called me. She said she was all alone and that you needed medicine. She sounded pretty upset, so I came right over."

"Chahat called?" said Preet. His voice was scratchy and weak. He tried to focus on what was happening, but his head hurt something awful, like a dozen jackhammers going off at the same time. He also felt very hot, like he was sitting in a furnace. He rubbed his forehead with his fingers then turned to look at Meher again. She was looking at him with suspicion.

"Preet Juneja," began Meher. "If you orchestrated this whole thing just to get me here, I swear I..."

"I didn't orchestrate anything," Preet said gruffly. He used whatever energy he had to sit up and swing his legs to one side of the bed. "I didn't ask you to come here. You can leave if you want to. Nothing is wrong with me. I'm fine..." Weak from the fever and from not having eaten anything, his legs wobbled as he tried to stand up. He took several steps towards Meher before his knees buckled underneath him.

"Chachu!" screamed Chahat.

"Preet!" Meher cried. Her expression changed from one of suspicion to one of concern as she dropped the bag she was holding and dashed across the room. In an instant, she was at his side sliding her arms across his waist and helping him back onto his bed.

Her touch made tingles spread like wildfire throughout Preet's already hot body. He stared at her as she fussed over him. Her hair was open and swayed from side to side as she moved around to prop up pillows behind him and tuck him under his sheets. She looked so beautiful and smelled good enough to eat. He thought about how close she was to him right now and how good her soft arms had felt around his waist. He felt an inexplicable urge to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless. The fact that he was physically too weak to do so made him grow frustrated beyond belief. Without thinking, he reached out and put his hand on hers. Her hand fit in his like it was meant just for him. A smile tugged at his lips at the thought.

Meher looked at Preet's hand over her own. She looked up at him and saw the way he was looking at her and swallowed hard. She slowly pulled her hand back and took a step away from him in an effort to put distance between them.

"Meher...I," Preet said, as he tried to sit up again.

"Why are you trying to get up?" Meher scolded him. "You lie down right now and don't move. No wonder poor Chahat was so worried."

Preet let his pounding head rest back onto his pillow. "I'm fine!" he barked in irritation.

"Oh really?" said Meher. She sat down on the edge of his bed, being careful not to rub against him. She let her hand rest on his forehead for a moment and instantly grew worried. "You feel like you're on fire, and you can't even stand up. Chahat, do you know where your mommy keeps the thermometer? I want to take your Chachu's temperature."

Chahat nodded then ran out of the room. Within minutes, she was back with a small medical kit. "It's in here," she said.

"Thanks," said Meher. She took the thermometer out of the box, then went into the bathroom to rinse it. "Open wide," she said to Preet, as she shook the thermometer several times.

Preet opened his mouth to say something, but Meher used the opportunity to stick the thermometer into his mouth.

"Mmpphh!" protested Preet.

"Chup (Hush)!" said Meher. She raised a finger to her lips, then looked at her wrist watch. "Stop behaving like such a baby. It's only for a minute."

Preet stopped protesting. Getting out of bed and trying to stand up had drained all of his strength. Comforted by Meher's presence next to him, he gave into the exhaustion the pounding in his head was causing him and let his eyes close shut.

Meher looked up from her watch and saw that Preet's head had turned to one side and was resting limply on his pillow. She reached out and gently removed the thermometer from his mouth. Her eyes grew wide with alarm at the temperature reading. A pang of guilt hit her as she remembered that Preet became ill because he had stood out in the rain waiting to talk to her. She immediately picked up the bag she had brought. In it was a small bottle of juice and some fever reducing tablets. She poured the juice into the glass lying on his bedside table then gently nudged Preet awake. "You have to take these," she urged him.

His eyes slowly opened and he stared feverishly up at her.

"Here, let me help you," said Meher. She gently put her arms around his shoulders and helped him up again, and placed the medicine in his mouth.

Preet took a few sips of juice to wash the medicine down, then sank back onto his pillows fast asleep.

Meher watched him sleep lost in her own thoughts.

"Is he going to be alright?" asked Chahat.

"Huhn?" said Meher. She had been so worried about Preet that she had almost forgotten the little girl was still in the room. "Oh...yeah...uh...of course he will," she gave Chahat a weak smile. "We just have to give the medicine some time to do its work. Hey, have you eaten?"

Chahat nodded. "Mommy made me a strawberry jam sandwich for breakfast. But I'm kind of hungry again."

Meher smiled and passed her hand lovingly over Chahat's head. "How about if you show me where the kitchen is and I'll fix you something to eat. Then you can help me make some soup for your Chachu too."

"Okay," smiled Chahat. "Follow me."

Meher took one more look at Preet, then followed Chahat out of his room.

A shortwhile later...

Meher took a spoon and tasted the soup that was being prepared on the stove. "Mmm," she smiled. "Not bad for your first batch of soup, if I do say so myself. You want to try some?" she asked Chahat.

The little girl nodded eagerly. Meher took a spoonful of soup and blew on it until it was cool enough. She then let Chahat taste the soup.

"Mmm, it really is good," Chahat clapped her hands. "I can't wait to tell mommy I made soup for Chachu."

Meher turned down the flame under the pot of soup. "We're going to let this simmer for a little bit longer, and then it'll be completely ready. You want to watch some cartoons in the meantime?"

"Yes," said Chahat.

Meher picked up a plate with a sandwich and a glass of milk and followed Chahat back to her room. Once there, she placed the snack on the small set of table and chairs in the center of the room. Chahat slid into one of the chairs and used the remote to turn the TV on. Soon she was giggling watching one of her favorite cartoons.

"I'm going to go check on your Chachu again," Meher told her.

The little girl nodded and took a bite of her sandwich.

Meher walked down the hall to Preet's room and peeked inside. He was still fast asleep. She tip-toed into his room, gently placed her hand on his forehead and immediately frowned. If anything, he was burning even hotter than before. The medicine wasn't working.

Meher quickly headed back to the kitchen and found a large glass bowl in one of the cupboards. She took it back to Preet's room, filled it with water from the bathroom, and grabbed several washcloths. She carried everything back into his room, placed it on his bedside table then sat down on the bed next to him. She carefully dipped a washcloth into the water, wrung it out then placed it on Preet's forehead. She took a deep breath then pulled his sheets down a little and placed a 2^nd washcloth on his bare chest.

Preet slowly opened his eyes and stared up at Meher. He tried to speak but wound up coughing instead.

"Shh!" said Meher. "Don't try to talk. I...uh...I'm sorry...but I...uh...I had to do that. I was worried about your temperature." She chewed on her lower lip nervously. "You're still too hot. I don't know where everyone in your house is," she complained, as she refreshed the washcloths. "I mean, how can they just abandon you like this?"

"Thanks Meher," Preet whispered.

"For what?" asked Meher.

"For coming. For taking care of me," said Preet. "For caring about me..."

"Well of course I care about you Preet. I lo...uh...I mean...I'm not some insensitive ogre you know," Meher blurted out.

Preet's face lit up with a small smile at her response.

"I mean, it's the least I could do," Meher corrected herself. "I mean...I am sort of responsible. Oh God! If only you weren't so stubborn. I mean, don't get your hopes up. My being here doesn't mean anything. I...I...uh...I only came because of Chahat."

"Really?" said Preet. A small chuckle escaped his lips. Would admitting that she loved him be too much to ask for? One thing was for sure, she was as stubborn as he was. But at least she was here, and that's all that mattered. He closed his eyes, but the smile on his face remained.

Meher periodically refreshed the washcloths, pausing in between to check on Chahat and the soup she was preparing. After a while, she removed the washcloth from Preet's forehead then with her hand gently checked the temperature around his head, cheek and neck. To her relief, it felt cooler than before.

Preet opened his eyes. "Don't stop," he whispered. He didn't want her to stop touching him.

"Don't stop what? asked Meher. Then as if reading his thoughts, she blushed and pulled her hand back. "Um...how do you feel?" she stammered.

"Like someone hit me over the head with a sledge hammer," said Preet.

"I bet you haven't had anything to eat either, have you?" added Meher.

Preet shook his head.

Meher started to get up, but Preet grabbed her by the wrist. "Don't go...please," he pleaded.

"I made some soup," explained Meher. "I'm just going to go and get it."

A short while later...

Gaurav led Sam down the hall to Preet's room. "His room is right here," said Gaurav. He knocked then opened the door and peaked in. "Hey man it's me, are you decent?"

Preet was sitting on his bed with pillows propped up behind him. He gave Gaurav a weak smile then waved his hand ushering his friend inside.

"I hope you don't mind, but I brought Sam along," said Gaurav.

"Hi Preet! Oh my God! You've been robbed!" Sam gasped as she stared at the messy contents of his room.

"No, that's what his room usually looks like," chuckled Gaurav.

"Ha Ha, very funny," sighed Preet.

"So, how are you feeling buddy?" asked Gaurav.

"Like I look," said Preet.

"That bad eh?" laughed Gaurav.

"Stop teasing him Gaurav," said Sam. "I hope you feel better soon Preet. Listen, about yesterday, I'm sorry for the way I behaved. Meher is my best friend and in taking her side, I completely misjudged you. But I know the truth now. Gaurav told me the real reason behind your marriage being arranged with Ashlesha. I hope there are no hard feelings between us."

"Does Meher know too?" Preet asked hopefully. "Is that why she's here?"

"Meher is here?" asked Sam. She and Gaurav looked at each other in surprise.

"Yeah, she's been taking care of me," said Preet. "She went down to the kitchen to get the soup she made for me. I tell you, more than anything else, just knowing she's here has made me feel better."

"Uh...will you 2 excuse me?" said Sam. "I'm going to go down and see if Meher needs some help."

A few minutes later...

Meher poured some soup out in a bowl. She placed the bowl, a spoon and napkin in a tray and turned around only to come face to face with Sam. Startled she nearly dropped the tray.

"Ah Ha!" cried Sam. "So you came after all!"

"Geez Sam, what's wrong with you?!" cried Meher. "You scared me!" She looked around, found some paper towels and cleaned up the soup that had spilled onto the tray and refilled the bowl.

"Serves you right after all that drama you did about not going to see Preet, when in reality you wanted to come and see him all by yourself," teased Sam. "You could have just been up front with me Meher. Gaurav and I wouldn't have minded giving you 2 some privacy."

"It's not what you're thinking Sam," Meher rolled her eyes. "I had no intention of coming. But Chahat called and asked me to come over. She was home all alone."

"What are you taking about?" said Sam. "The watchman opened the gate for us, the gardener is outside watering the plants in the front lawn, and I'm sure the rest of the servants are around here some where."

"No they're not," protested Meher.

Just then the cook walked into the kitchen from the back door, carrying several bags of groceries. While another servant appeared with a dusting rag in his hand.

"What in the world is going on?" said Meher, surprised to see the staff suddenly appearing.

"May I help you ladies with something?" asked the cook.

"No we're fine," smiled Sam. "My friend here was just going to take some up to Preet."

"Did someone say soup?" said Ashlesha, as she and Heer walked into the kitchen.

"Meher?" said Heer, pretending to be surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"Yeah," agreed Ashlesha. "I thought you didn't want to see Preet."

"I...uh...woh...," stammered Meher.

"She changed her mind," Sam spoke up. "Can't a person change their mind if they want to?"

"Whatever," Ashlesha rolled her eyes. "Heer Bhabi, will you please take me up to see Preet. I have some soup for him." She held up a bag, then looked around. "Now where can I find a plate?"

Heer walked over to a cupboard and pulled out a plate for her.

"Thanks," smiled Ashlesha, as she began to take out the contents of the bag she was carrying. "I had our chef prepare this especially for Preet. This is a bread bowl. It's a bowl made entirely of sourdough bread. And you pour the soup directly into it." Meher watched Ashlesha carefully pour something from a thermos into the bread bowl. "It's broccoli and cheddar cheese soup. I hope Preet likes it. I figured if he likes gobi, he'll like broccoli too. I mean, it's sort of like gobi, except that it's green."

"Um...Ashlesha, you do realize that Preet is unwell," sighed Heer. "This soup looks really delicious and gourmet and all, but it's just too heavy for his stomach to handle right now. He needs something really light like..."

"The chicken soup Meher made," Sam spoke up.

"You made soup?" asked Heer.

Meher nodded quietly.

"Hey that's great!" smiled Ashlesha. "Meher you're a life saver. Um...you don't mind if I take that soup up to Preet do you?"

"Yes she does...," said Sam, but Meher put a hand on her arm.

"No, I don't," said Meher.

"Thanks Meher," smiled Ashlesha. "Since you're holding the tray anyway, do you mind carrying it up for me? I don't want to spill it on my designer dress."

"Why you...," began Sam, but Meher interrupted her again.

"I don't mind," she said.

"Great!" smiled Ashlesha. "Heer Bhabi, please lead the way."

Heer was watching the exchange between the girls with great amusement. She nodded then led them up to Preet's room. She was about to open the door, when Ashlesha stopped her.

"Wait a minute," said Ashlesha. "I'm not quite ready yet."

Heer, Sam and Meher watched as Ashlesha opened her purse and removed a surgical face mask from it. "What?" she said when she found everyone staring at her. "I'm just taking precautions. I have a delicate immune system you know. I want to see Preet, but I don't have any intention of getting sick." She promptly put the mask on and then reached back into her purse for some latex gloves.

Heer put her hand on her mouth to stifle a laugh as she watched Ashlesha take out a compact mirror fom her purse and check her reflection.

"Okay," said Ashlesha. "I'm ready now. Let me have the tray Meher."

Sam frowned, but Meher quietly handed Ashlesha the tray.

Heer knocked on Preet's door, opened it and looked inside. She found Gaurav sitting in a chair next to the bed. "Hi Gaurav," she smiled. "I'm glad you came by to see Preet. He's been in such an uncooperative mood since last night." She walked up to Preet and put her hand on his forehead. "Good to see you finally up. I picked up your medicines on the way back from the airport, but it looks like you won't be needing them. Your fever is down. I wonder how that happened. Hungry yet?"

Before Preet could answer, someone behind Heer cleared their throat.

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot," sighed Heer. "You have another visitor. I hope you're ready for this one."

"Hi Preet!" cried Ashlesha. She walked into the room, followed by Sam. "Oh my God! You've been robbed!" She cried as she eyed the scattered contents of his room.

"No," Heer corrected her. "That's how his room normally looks."

Preet rolled his eyes.

"Oh...well then...it's kind of cute...in a boyish...bachelorish kind of way," lied Ashlesha.

"What are you doing here Ashlesha?" asked Preet. He craned his neck trying to look past her in search of Meher.

Heer glanced back at the door, but Meher stayed back in the hallway.

"I heard my poor baby-waby was sick, so I came right over," explained Ashlesha. She put the tray she was carrying down on the bedside table. "How do you feel?" She asked as she placed a gloved hand on Preet's cheek.

Preet turned his face away. "I was fine until you showed up," he frowned.

"Aw...aren't we in a grouchy wouchy mood today?" said Ashlesha.

"Grouchy wouchy?" said Preet. "Stop talking to me like I'm a 5 year old."

"Hey Ash, what's with the gloves and mask?" chuckled Gaurav.

"She has a delicate immune system," Sam said mockingly. "She doesn't want to catch Preet's germs."

"Heh heh...uh...yes well...really intelligent people like doctors wear them too," reasoned Ashlesha. "Look what I brought for you Preet. Soup. I...uh...made it myself."

Sam's mouth fell open and Heer coughed.

"I really should go and check on Chahat," said Heer. She walked out of the room and met Meher in the hall. "Ye kaisa tamasha hai Meher (What kind of game are you playing Meher)? You get Preet's hopes up and take care of him, and now when he needs you, you refuse to be by his side and stand here watching him from a distance instead. Exactly what is going on inside that head of yours? Do you want to torture the poor guy some more or is the guilt finally getting to you?"

"Guilt?" said Meher.

"You broke his heart then let him stand out in the rain and become ill. Do you really think a bowl of soup will make up for everything?" asked Heer.

"No...I...uh...woh...," stammered Meher.

Heer put a hand on Meher's shoulder. "You know what will really make Preet feel better...is if you told him you loved him."

Meanwhile, inside Preet's room...

"Well...isn't this quaint?" Ashlesha smiled at Preet. "You and I spending quality time together. Me taking care of you, nursing you back to health...just a taste of what it's going to be like once we're married, I suppose."

"I'm not marrying you! Do you hear me?" cried Preet. Frustration ran grittily through his voice.

"Now now Preet, I know you're in a bad mood because you're sick. I get a bit cranky myself when I'm under the weather," Ashlesha said as she picked up the bowl of soup. "Not to worry. This should make you feel better."

"I don't want your stupid soup," said Preet. He pushed her hand away causing some of the soup to splatter on her dress.

Just then Chahat ran into the room and jumped up onto the bed. "Chachu Chachu, did you try the soup Meher Maasi and I made?" she asked excitedly. "Did you like it? Did you?"

"Ugh! My new dress!" cried Ashlesha as more soup spilled onto her clothes. "It's ruined! Who let this urchin into the room?"

"She's not an urchin!" Preet said through gritted teeth. "She's my niece!"

"I don't care," cried Ashlesha. "She has no manners. Look what she did to my dress. And how dare she interrupt us?"

"There is no us Ashlesha!" argued Preet.

"Of course there is," insisted Ashlesha. "We're going to get married. Your dad said so."

"Get out!" cried Preet.

"What?!" said Ashlesha.

"You heard me, get out!" Preet pointed towards the door.

Ashlesha's mouth fell open. "Well I've never!" she cried as she stormed out of the room.

Preet looked at Sam. "Where's Meher? I want Meher!"

"I'll go find her," said Sam.

"I'll help you," offered Gaurav.

Moments later...

Heer walked into Preet's room carrying a fresh bowl of hot soup. "Chahat go to your room please," she said. "I'd like to speak to your Chachu in private."

"Okay," smiled Chahat. She gave Preet a kiss on his cheek. "I hope you feel better Chachu."

Heer waited until Chahat left then turned to Preet. "I saw Ashlesha storm out of here. She looked upset."

"I don't care," said Preet.

Heer sat down on the bed next to him and handed him the bowl of soup. "Eat," she ordered.

"I'm not hungry," he frowned.

"Meher made it," smiled Heer.

Meanwhile...

Maya was walking into the house with Daljeet, just as Ashlesha stormed out the front door.

"Ash honey, where are you going?" Daljeet called after her, but Ashlesha ignored her.

Just then Meher came down the stairs followed by Sam and Gaurav.

"Oh no! What is she doing here?" cried Maya, as she pulled Daljeet to one side.

"Who? Meher? What's wrong with her?" asked Daljeet.

"What's wrong is that she's the reason Preet is refusing to marry Ashlesha," explained Maya. "He's in love with the girl. He stood outside in the rain for hours professing his love for her. That's how he got sick."

"What?!?" Daljeet glared in Meher's direction with narrowing eyes. "Oh...I see. It's beginning to make sense. It's all beginning to make a lot of sense."

Originally posted by: SNKaD

Fantabulous episode Fatima ...👏I'm happy meher cme 2 know truth nd im feelng bad for her as she is stuck nd she thinks a lot nd responsible girl...👍🏼

She thinks abt preets family...dats soo nyc of her...gaurav ne toh sahi tym pe entry maara yar nd he fulfilled his best frndship..👍🏼👍🏼.he showed how much he cares and his frnd nd sam nd gaurav scenes were cute nd he is takng her 2 hishouse nd der wil be a scenes between dem in nxt updates...😳

Ashlesha calld meher...dats soo nyc of her as she cald meher at d rgt tym as meher doesn't want 2 see preet...but dnt u think she uses meher simply by callng her frnd???devilish girl😡

Balwant makes meher understand dats so nyc of him nd I like mehers boldness toward sam dat she dnt want 2 cme alng with dem 2 see preet...👍🏼She controls her feelings but she cares preet a lot...nd d main entry of chahat wow wat nd ntry yar soo cute of her...I think chahat wil be d reason to bind meet in future by callng her home often or by someothrr reason...😉

Anyways amazing writer...kittna interesting mein stop kardiya yar...itni bechaini ho rahi hai i dnt know wat chaht and meher wil speak in mobile ...😊nd upar seprecap bhi intresting. ..v all get 2 read romance of meet...lollz😆

Wil be waiting for ur updated fatima...ur gr8 yar U spend ur tym in writing stories for us...thank u soo much for entrtainng us by writing meets stories nd makng dere memoriies bond in us...love meet nd ur story too...😳thanks fir ur pm...love u fatima...umaaahhh...❤️

thanks fatima fr d update,

I am sooo glad that Heer isn't upset with Meher - it was all her PLan with Chahat calling Meher 👏

Page 123

Amazing update 🤗
I was dying to check this uodate Cz Chahat is in it. 😆
Now rubbing my hands. Woot Kya scene hai
😲 I'm as surprised as Prem bhaiyya that Heer would ever lie 🤣
Haha and Prem also lied to make Heer happy -btw Heer is fat 😲 that's hard to believe!
Now on to the juicy part - woot woot - Meher agreed and she sounded so cute talking with Chahat. 😳
I loved the scene. Thankooo 🤗 you're the bestest

Wow look at that Chahat and Meher made soup wow
Cute bonding scene and so sweet of Meher to have that patience to deal with small child.
Oh boy Ash walks in 😲 I DID NOT except this 😆 but u spiced up this scene and made us alert 👏
I loved how you showed the differences in soup and for what purpose they are used for. Heer clarified that ⭐️ Cool!

Ash's antics are superb. Oh man and y'know I can never dislike her on this story 😛
She is not nice at the same time she is quite herself and not weird that much.

Sam and Gaurav entry also I did not expect and was great added bonus. They were fab.

Meher stayed out and Heer reprimanding her was nice. The story moving along. 👍🏼
Haoyyee Chahat is super cute when she divulged She and Meher made soup 😆
Also soup spilling part was amazing hahaha
And Preet told off Ash huh didn't expect that either but great. ⭐️
And shooo cute Chahat kissed her chachu 😳
I really miss Preet Chahat scenes - in fact Snehal and I were mentioning in FB how if Preet was in post leap scenes the show would have run longer. Fans would have seen interaction of Chahat with Preet.
All fans were sad over this.
Refreshing to read your scenes which gives us an idea what could have been like had this been in the show. Appreciates this very much Fatima. 🤗 ❤️

So Heer is going to chat privately hmm. Let's see what she has to say.
And Preet gets angry according to pre cap ? Why? Is it Cz she didn't bring soup herself or Cz something else. I assume more drama happening now that Maya and DJ are inside the house. V sad indeed.

Looking forward to read the chat betw bhabi and devar ji.

Love you and Happy 4th of July and ty for the treat - I love this treat hehe 😃

Originally posted by: sherma

thanks fatima fr d update,

heer is very smart-i like it.

just loved hw meher tking care of preet n he really admiring her.

but y sh hd to come😕

nywys next part too sounds pf meet but dnt mke him more angry on meher'

thnks fr pm co continue soon

Originally posted by: foxi

I am sooo glad that Heer isn't upset with Meher - it was all her PLan with Chahat calling Meher 👏

Prem Heer Convo was amusing - loved the White Lie concept here :)

Ash is so damn funny man - hahaha - asking meher to carry the tray upstairs and then announcing she made the soup - the mask hahahahah

I am a bit scared of what Daljeet thinks and plans to do...

eagerly waiting for the next part❤️