Fatima's Cozy Corner 3 - Final Update on Pg 114 :) - Page 15

Originally posted by: kiran_28

wow interesting update..preet is not giving up on meher..i loving seeing preet's jealousy..
and i love premeer scenes..heer is expecting another baby..wow
pls update soon..
thanks for pm

Chapter 29 - Shopping Blues

Meher stood quietly as she watched her parents place their luggage into the car that was to take them back to Ludhiana.

"Well, that's the last of it," sighed Balraj. "We only came for a few days. I don't know why you brought so much luggage Kuljeet."

"I didn't bring anything we didn't need," insisted Kuljeet. "Besides, the extra pieces of luggage are filled with gifts from my sister."

"Papa Ji, are you sure I can't come with you?" Meher asked hopefully. "I've already been in Delhi for so many days."

"Now Meher, we've been over this a hundred times," sighed Kuljeet. "Viren wants you to stay. You 2 are going to be married sooon, so it's very important for you to keep him happy. A good match is not easy to find these days. Just think, you'll be married to a doctor soon, and he's taking you Am-ree-ka! O my Rabs! What more can anyone want?" She clasped her hands excitedly. "Daljeet went out of her way to make this match happen. How ungrateful will we seem if you mess things up because you don't want to stay for just a few more days?" She patted Meher on the cheek. "Stay here. Be a good girl. Keep Viren happy. Keep Ashlesha company. Have a good time with your friends."

Meher waited until Kuljeet sat in the car before turning to her father. "Papa-Ji...," she gave him a wounded look.

"Come now Meher," her father hugged her. "You know I'll miss you more than anyone else. But it's only for a few more days. Your get together is on Tuesday, right? You can come home right after that." He glanced over to his wife sitting in the car. "I've never seen your step-mother this happy with you before. Your decision to marry Viren has done wonders for our family. Now, I want you to forget about everything and have a good time with your friends." He hugged his daughter again then got in the car.

Meher frowned as she watched the car pull out of the driveway, then turned and slowly walked towards the Rampal mansion. How on earth was she supposed to make her parents understand? How was she supposed to enjoy herself with everyone pulling her in all different directions? And Preet...God knows what he was planning! Lost in her thoughts, Meher accidentally bumped into Maya, as she tried to enter the house at the same time.

"Ouch!" cried Maya. "What is wrong with you young lady? Why don't you watch where you're going?"

"Maya Didi, I'm so sorry," said Meher, as she followed Maya into the house. "I wasn't looking where I was going. I'm...I'm sorry."

"Maya!" Daljeet called out as she came down the stairs. "I thought I heard your voice. So good of you to join me this morning. The 2 women kissed the air around them, before Daljeet eyed Meher. "Have you seen your parents off?"

"Yes," said Meher.

"And have you found your room to be comfortable enough?" asked Daljeet. "Of course you must have. I'm sure it is better than what you are ordinarily used to."

"I...uh...yes. Thank you for letting me stay a little while longer," Meher gave her a weak smile.

"You're letting her stay here?" Maya asked in surprise. "Why? Why didn't you send her back to Ludhiana, where she belongs?"

"My sister wouldn't have it any other way," sighed Daljeet. "She seems to think it was of utmost importance that she stay behind...for Viren's sake."

"For Viren's sake or Preet's?" Maya asked with narrowing eyes.

"I...I don't know what you're talking about," stammered Meher.

"Oh don't you?" scoffed Maya. "Veera tells me that she and Preet are planning a get together for their friends. Apparently you're at the top of the guest list."

"Meher...I hope you realize that you are engaged to Viren now," Daljeet reminded her.

Meher nodded quietly.

"And I trust you not to do anything to embarrass your family or mine...or hurt Ashlesha in any capacity," Daljeet said pointedly. "I don't need to remind you how any foolishness on your part can create a tidal wave of problems for a lot of people, do I?"

"No," whispered Meher.

"Good," smiled Daljeet. "Now how about you go bring us some of that tea you're so good at making."

Meher nodded and headed for the kitchen.

"I swear Daljeet, I hope you know what you're doing, keeping that girl here," frowned Maya. "It was genius of you to get her engaged to someone else. Poor Preet didn't know what hit him. But I would have thought you would send her as far away from him as possible once the deed was done."

"Actually, I have Meher right where I want her...under my nose," smiled Daljeet. "Haven't you heard the old adage...keep your friends close, and your enemies even closer. Bahaut tung kiya tha Preet ne humay Ash ka rishta bar bar thukra ke (Preet drove us crazy by repeatedly refusing to marry Ash). Now it's our turn to watch him squirm when he sees Meher and Viren get close to each other right before his very eyes."

Meanwhile...

Gaurav watched his friend walk back and forth across his room. "Preet, will you please stop pacing the floor, you're driving me nuts!" he pleaded.

"I'm trying to think okay," said Preet.

"What's there to think about? Everything is so messed up," Gaurav shook his head. "I still can't believe Meher got engaged to someone else. And let's not forget that you got engaged to Ashlesha. I don't know how you're going to work your way out of this one Preet."

"I'm not worried about Ashlesha," said Preet. "Bauji got the announcement he wanted. He knows how reluctant I was to agree to it in the first place, so I expect him to sit tight for a little while, and not push me to take things forward with her right away. At least not until Veera's wedding is over. In the meantime, I'm sure PB and I will find something crooked enough going on at Rampal Industries to make him forget this stupid wedding plan altogether."

"But what if you guys don't find anything?" asked Gaurav.

"We will," insisted Preet. "We have to...we just have to."

"But what if you don't?" Gaurav said.

"Well, that would throw a wrench in my plans for sure," sighed Preet. "Anyway I'll worry about that if and when the time comes. Right now, I have to do something to break Meher and Viren up. Viren is leaving for the U.S. I don't know the exact time frame but he said it was soon. And he has every intention of taking her with him."

"That means you don't have much time," said Gaurav.

"Exactly," agreed Preet. "I managed to convince Mrs. Maan to let Meher stay back a little longer in Dehi. Now I have to figure out a way to make Goldilocks look bad in front of her. Bad enough to make her drop him like a hot potato."

"And how do you expect to do that?" asked Gaurav.

"I guess I have to find something on him too," sighed Preet. "I'll hang out with him, talk to his neighbors and colleagues, find out if he has any bad habits. Then there's always social media...Instagram, twitter, facebook...there has to be something I can use. I don't care agar janam kundli nikalni pade saale ki (if I have to get out his astrological chart), I'll do it."

"I don't know Preet," chuckled Gaurav. "The guy seemed pretty straight-forward to me. I mean, he was a bit full of himself, but other than that, he was just your average Joe."

"Everyone has secrets, even average Joes," Preet shook his head.

"Matlab (meaning)?" asked Gaurav.

"Meaning...everyone has a chapter of their life they don't want read out loud," said Preet. "I just have to find out what Viren's is."

"Meher is going to hate you if she finds out about this, said Gaurav.

"She already hates me, said Preet. He picked up his phone and dialed a number. "Now let me make sure she's still in Delhi.

Moments later...

Meher was serving Maya and Daljeet tea when her phone rang. A worried look came over her face when she saw the name of the caller. She rejected the call, only to have her phone ring again.

"Uff! That incessant ringing! Aren't you going to answer that?" asked Daljeet.

"Uh...ji," Meher gave her a weak smile and answered her phone. "Hello."

"Hi Meher, it's me," said Preet.

"No...no thank you," stammered Meher. "I'm not interested in what you have to say."

Preet looked at his phone in confusion. "She hung up on me." He promptly redialed her number.

"Hello?" answered Meher.

"Why did you hang up on me?" asked Preet.

"Who is it Meher?" asked Daljeet.

"Just some telemarketer," lied Meher. "You know what a pain in the neck they can be."

"Did you just call me a pain?" said Preet. "Ah! Let me guess, Ash and Daljeet are hovering nearby."

"I...uh...forgot the snacks in the kitchen," said Meher. "I'll be right back with them." She rushed out of the room.

"Still slaving away for people who could care less about you, hai na Cinderella?" said Preet.

"Uff! Stop calling me that!" Meher hissed into the phone as soon as she was out of earshot. "Why are you calling me again and again anyway?"

"It's been several hours since I saw you or heard your voice," smiled Preet. "I miss you. I wanted to talk."

"I think enough was said and done last night, don't you?" said Meher.

"No," said Preet. "I want to see you. How about we meet up for some coffee?"

"Are you crazy?!" cried Meher. "Or maybe you're forgetting that we both got engaged to other people last night! On top of that, I'm staying at the Rampal's place. Do you have any idea how much trouble I'll be in if anyone finds out I'm even talking to you?"

"I still want to see you," insisted Preet.

"But I don't want to see you!" cried Meher.

Just then, Ashlesha walked into the kitchen. "Meher, have you seen mom?" she asked.

"She's...uh...in the smaller living room next to the library. Preet's Bhabi Maya is with her," replied Meher. "Did you hear that? Maya Bhabi is here too." She spoke into the phone. Just then, she saw Ashlesha give her an odd look. She quickly picked up a plate of snacks with her free hand and held it out to her. "Uh...could you please take these out to them?"

"Sorry, I just did my nails," said Ashlesha. "You can bring them when you're done with your phone call." She blew on her nails and was about to leave when she turned back towards Meher and gave her a sly look. "Who are you talking to anyway?"

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

"Is it Viren?" teased Ashelsha. "Let me say Hi to him."

"No!" cried Meher as she clasped her phone tightly with both hands. "It's not Viren. It's just some stupid telemarketer..."

"Stupid?" said Preet.

"Just hang up," Ashlesha shrugged her shoulders.

"He keeps calling me back," frowned Meher. "Phone ke peeche chup ke be waqt logon ko tang kar raha hai (he's hiding behind the phone and bothering people at the wrong time)...trying to sell me something I'm not interested in." She looked at her phone and spoke into it angrily. "You hear that?! I am not interested! Now leave me alone!"

Preet smiled as Meher hung up on him again. "Okay...it's confirmed...she's still staying at the Rampal's place," he said to Gaurav.

"So, what next?" asked Gaurav.

"Time to do some digging on Viren," said Preet. He slid his laptop across his desk towards Gaurav. "Find out as much as you can. Who is he? What is he all about? In the meantime, I'm going to pay Meher a visit."

"You're kidding right?" said Gaurav. "You just said she's staying at the Rampal's place."

"So?" smiled Preet. He turned to go but Gaurav put his hand on his shoulder to stop him.

"Preet, that's your fiance's house," sighed Gaurav as he tried to talk some sense into him. "You can't be flirting with Meher right under Ash's nose. You'll get the poor girl into trouble."

"I won't," insisted Preet. "But I have to see her. I just have to." How was he supposed to explain to Gaurav what he was feeling? It had only been one night since their last kiss, but he had to see Meher again. He craved her. There was no other way to describe how he felt.

Later...

Preet stood in the foyer of the Rampal Mansion, surveying the place. An elegant chandelier hung overhead, while double staircases led to the rooms upstairs. Halls to both his right and left led to other parts of the house. Meher was here somewhere. How to find her was the question?

Just then Ashlesha appeared at the top of the stairs. "Eeekkk!" she cried. "Preet, I could hardly believe my ears when the servant told me you were waiting for me downstairs!" She rushed down to greet him and hugged him almost knocking him over. "It's almost like a dream, but you're here! You're really here!"

"Ash, would you please calm down," Preet sighed, as pulled her arms from around his neck. "I'm here for real. There is no need to choke the life out of me."

"Sorry, I just got a little excited," blushed Ashlesha. "So...um...what brings you by?"

"Why?" asked Preet, as he looked over her shoulder for any sign of Meher. "Do I need a reason to stop by?"

"No, it's not that," smiled Ashlesha. "You've just never come over before."

"Yeah well, we weren't engaged before either," sighed Preet. "I figured now that we are...I should check out the place where Meh...uh...I mean you live."

"You mean you actually want to spend time with me?!" Ashlesha clasped her hands together excitedly. "Eeekkk! How sweet!" She hugged him again.

"Enough to give you diabetes," Preet mumbled under his breath. His eyes roamed the premises again. "So...are you home alone?"

"Kyun?" asked Ash. She smiled at him coyly as she twirled a stand of her hair around her finger.

Preet rolled his eyes. "No, I mean...are we going to stand here all day or are you going to ask me in?"

"Oh how silly of me!" laughed Ash. "Come right this way." She led Preet to a sitting room down the hall. "Actually, you just missed your Maya Bhabi. She and mom went out somewhere, and Dad is at the office of course."

"Of course," Preet said wryly.

"So it's just you and me here," continued Ashlesha.

"Oh no," sighed Preet.

"What?" said Ashlesha.

"I mean...great," lied Preet.

"But don't get any ideas," giggled Ashlesha. "Because Meher is here too."

Meher had been inside the living room clearing up after Maya and Daljeet. As if on cue, she met them at the door. The tray of used tea cups she was holding rattled in her hands on seeing Preet.

"Preet," she whispered in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"He came to see me," smiled Ashlesha. "Isn't that great?"

"Ash please," Preet winced as she threw her arms around his necks and hugged him.

"Oh Preet," chuckled Ashelsha. "You don't have to be embarrassed in front of Meher, after all, she is our friend." She took him by the arm and forced him to sit down on the sofa, then rubbed her leg against his. "And she'll never tell mom anything, right Meher?"

Meher gave Ashlesha a weak smile. "I have to put these dishes away in the kitchen. If you'll excuse me I'll leave you 2 alone now."

"Meher, please don't go," Preet pleaded, as he quickly jumped up and distanced himself from Ashlesha. "I mean...uh...I'll come with you...to the kitchen. I'm hungry...got anything to eat?"

"I'll ask the cook to bring you something," suggested Ashlesha.

"No...I...uh...," stammered Preet. "Meher will make something for me."

"I will?" Meher said with a raised brow.

"Um...yeah...you know you're such a great cook," said Preet. "And it's been a while since I had something you made."

"I don't think...," sighed Meher.

"Oh, I'm sure she won't mind, do you Meher?" smiled Ashlesha. "Anything to make my Preet happy, right?"

Meher rolled her eyes and walked off towards the kitchen.

A short while later...

Meher set some potatoes to boil on the stove. She then poured some flour and water in a large bowl and began kneading it, pausing every now and then to blow away the wisps of hair that fell into her eyes. "Why doesn't Meher make me something?" she mimicked Preet. "We have a chef in the house...but no. Meher will make me something. It's been a while since I've had her cooking. Besides, it's not like she has a life outside the kitchen. Meher will make me something while I sit here and rub legs with Ashlesha. Hmph! I should teach him a lesson and put some gravel in his food. Dant bachein gay toh kuch khai ga (He'll eat if he has teeth left)."

"Please don't do that," chuckled Preet. "I'm told my smile is one of my best assets."

"Tum!" gasped Meher. "What are you doing here?"

"Jalne ki boo aa rahi thi ( I smelled something burning)." Preet leaned over and sniffed the air around Meher. "Yup...it's definitely coming from you." He grinned.

Meher's mouth fell open. "Just what are you trying to say?"

"That you're jealous," said Preet.

"I am not," said Meher.

"Yes, you are," chuckled Preet. "But you needn't be. Ash was flirting with me...not the other way around."

"Speaking of Ash...your fiance, where is she?" Meher asked placing emphasis on the word fiance.

"She got a phone call, so I thought I'd come and check up on you," smiled Preet.

"You shouldn't be here," frowned Meher.

"You are so cute when you're angry," smiled Preet.

"Cute?" said Meher.

"Absolutely adorable," nodded Preet. "Like an upset kitten."

"Go away Preet," Meher rolled her eyes. "Or did you come here just to annoy me? Because it's working."

Preet surprised her by suddenly taking quick steps and closing the distance between them. He lifted his hand towards her face and her heart stopped. She gasped as his fingertips brushed her cheeks, sending a pleasant tingling warmth through her, then gently pushed back the wisps of hair from her eyes. "Aata laga hua tha (there was some flour)," he smiled gently.

"Oh...," Meher said in a barely audible whisper. She didn't realize she had been holding her breath until it came out in a gasp.

"Now...as cute as you are when you are angry," said Preet. "I'd rather you weren't in a bad mood anymore. You don't have to make anything for me Meher. All I really I wanted was to see you."

"Why?" Meher asked hesitantly.

"You know why," answered Preet. He leaned forward and pressed his forehead to hers and closed his eyes.

"Preet? Where did you go Preet?!" Ashlesa called out.

Meher quickly stepped away from Preet and returned to kneading the dough.

Great! He thought. Way to kill a moment Ash.

"There you are," smiled Ashlesha, as she walked into the kitchen and immediately linked arms with him. "Come on, I want to give you a tour of the house."

"Ash, if you don't mind, I'd rather not," sighed Preet. "I mean, if you've seen one mansion, you've seen them all."

"Oh...okay, then...let's go shopping," suggested Ashelsha.

"Shopping?!" whined Preet.

"Yes, it's my favorite thing to do," grinned Ashelsha. "I bet if it was an Olympic sport, I'd bring home the gold for India. That was my friend Neetu on the phone. She said there's a great sale going on at the mall."

Preet looked to Meher for help, but she was fully focused on kneading the dough before her.

"But Meher was just about to make something for me to eat, remember?" tried Preet.

"It's okay, we'll grab something from outside," said Ashlesha.

"Fine," sighed Preet. "But then Meher will come with us too."

"Me?" Meher said in surprise. "I don't have to buy anything."

"Tuesday..." Preet reminded her. "We're all meeting up for dinner right? You should get yourself a new outfit. And what better opportunity than now, when you're...uh...staying with a fashion expert like Ash."

"Thanks Preet!" grinned Ashlesha.

Hmph! Frowned Meher. Just what is he implying? That I dress like a frump?! "But I don't think...," she tried.

"Actually Meher, I hate to say it, but Preet is right," sighed Ashelsha. "Those tired old shalwar kameez you wear seriously need to be retired. I know what! I'll get you all vamped up enough to make Viren's head spin."

Huhn? Viren?! Frowned Preet. Why did she have to bring up that joker?

"But Ashlesha...," Meher protested as Ashlesha helped her out of her apron and proceeded to drag her away.

"No buts...," insisted Ashlehsa. "This is going to be great! Right Preet?"

"Yeah," Preet sighed as he followed the girls. "Just great."

A short while later...

Preet glanced wearily at the racks of clothes before him. Girls may be made of sugar and spice and everything nice, but he still hated shopping with them. He remembered when he first got his driver's license...his sisters and Heer Bhabi had made him chauffeur them from one mall to another to celebrate. Yeah right! Some celebration! And then...he was introduced to the nightmare known as...the women's fitting rooms. Girls would go inside with a truck load of clothes and come out asking for his opinion on one outfit after another. I mean, how many times did you need to try something on before you finally bought it? God forbid if you tell them something makes them look fat. First they get angry, then demand to know from which angle? And you can definitely kiss that ice cream sundae you were thinking of having afterwards good-bye, because suddenly everyone is on a diet, and you have also become fat along with them. Things didn't end once an outfit was selected either, they only got worse. Because then the hunt for the perfect accessories would begin. And this was all before they went home and decided their purchases didn't look as good as they did in the store and brought you back the next day to return them. Ugh!

Just then Ash walked up to him. "Ta da!" she smiled. "So...how do I look?"

The same as you did in the last 3 dresses you tried on, thought Preet. "You look nice. This is definitely the one for you."

"Are you sure? Because they have the same dress in minty green," asked Ashlesha, as she checked her reflection in the full length mirror.

"Minty green...wow," sighed Preet.

"I thought you'd agree," smiled Ashlesha. "I'll go try it on."

Preet shook his head. He glanced over at Meher and a soft smile took over his face. He watched as she walked by a rack, casually observing the dresses on it. She picked up one, looked at the price tag, frowned, promptly put the dress back, then checked the time on her watch. She was so different from Ashlesha. "Hey," he walked over to her and smiled. "Find anything you like?"

"No...uh...I...," stammered Meher. "I'm not really interested in anything here. You know me, I'm not really used to wearing dresses."

"Really? I think you'd look great in one," smiled Preet.

"I agree," said Ashlesha, as she came up from behind them. "Sorry to make you wait Meher. I just couldn't decide between those 4 outfits, so I'm taking them all. Did you find something?" She picked up a dress off the rack and handed it to Meher. "How about this sexy little number? Isn't it great? It's backless! Imagine Viren seeing you in this. He'll flip!"

Preet frowned. He imagined Viren's roaming hands resting on Meher's bare back. "You call that a dress Ash?" he spoke up. He snatched the dress out of her hands, and promptly but it back on the rack. "The designer forgot to add something to it."

"What?" asked Ashelsha.

"Fabric!" replied Preet. "I bet there's more fabric on my handkerchief than in that dress."

"Actually Ashlesha, I was just telling Preet that I'm really not all that comfortable in western clothes," sighed Meher. "So if you're done, I think we should get going."

Preet was about to agree with her when Ashlesha spoke up.

"Nothing doing," said Ashlesha. "I haven't even begun shopping for shoes yet..."

"Shoes!" cried Preet.

"...So you may as well pick something out," continued Ashlesha. "Preet Baby, if you're tired, you can go grab a chair over there." She pointed to the seating in the shoe section nearby. "That way you'll be on close hand if I need your opinion."

"How nice of you to finally think of me," grumbled Preet. He walked over to the chairs and sat down. A neatly folded newspaper lay on one of the chairs. He looked around checking to make sure it didn't belong to anyone, then picked it up and started to read. From the corner of his eye he saw Meher walk over to the full length mirror and try a dark green dress against herself. Preet coughed to get her attention.

Meher saw his reflection in the mirror. He seemed to be shaking his head. Does he really think I need his opinion? She rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to her own reflection. The dress was nice...not too flashy...and in her budget...but... She glanced back at Preet. His eyes were fixed on the newspaper. Maybe...something else...

Preet's phone rang just as Meher walked away. "Hello?" he said.

"Hey man, you never came back," said Gaurav.

"Yeah, sorry Gaurav," sighed Preet. "I'm sort of stuck at the mall. Ash wanted to do some shopping."

"Shopping? Preet you hate shopping," chuckled Gaurav. "How did Ash manage to convince you?"

"Don't ask," sighed Preet. "I was trying to talk to Meher and...hey Gaurav give me a minute." said Preet. He put his phone down and quickly picked up the newspaper again.

Meher had returned with 2 more dresses. Sure enough, just as she tried them against herself in the mirror, Preet cleared his throat loudly accompanied by a slight shake of his head. Hmm, she thought. He doesn't like these either. She watched as Preet put the paper down and picked up a red shoe. Red? A red dress? Thought Meher. Wait a minute! Why am I listening to him? She placed one of the dresses she was holding before herself again, hoping to convince herself into liking it, but she just couldn't.

Preet smiled as he watched her exhale loudly then return the dresses he had disapproved of back to their respective racks. He picked up his phone and returned to his conversation. "Sorry..."

"Let me guess...Meher is there too," chuckled Gaurav.

"Yes," grinned Preet. "Anyway, what did you find out about Chaddi?"

"Nothing," sighed Gaurav. "The guy is absolutely clean. Too clean. Good student. Good employee. Good track record. There is nothing outstanding on him on social media either...except for..."

"Except for what," Preet asked eagerly.

"There are several pictures of Viren with another guy named Gurinder," said Gaurav.

"So, he's probably some friend of his," Preet shrugged his shoulders.

"Yeah, but in some of the pictures, the guy is kissing him on the cheek," said Gaurav. "We're best friends and we've never kissed. What if...what if Viren's gay!"

"Or maybe his friend is." Preet's jaw clenched as he recalled how Viren had held Meher at the engagement. Suddenly his eyes grew dark. "I have to go," he whispered into the phone.

Meher had returned with another dress. She hadn't been able to find a red dress she liked, therefore, had chosen a pink one instead. She held it up against herself, then casually glanced at Preet's reflection in the mirror. This time, however, she was unable to get his reaction. Someone else had stepped in between them. "Viren?" she gasped.

"Surprise!" smiled Viren, as Ashlesha joined him. "Just look at the surprised look on her face Ash!"

Meher gave him a weak smile before looking to Ashlesha for an explanation.

"I called Viren before we left home and asked him to join us here at the mall," smiled Ashlesha. "I figured if I have Preet with me, you should have Viren with you too. Aren't you happy?"

"I...uh...yes...I mean...," said Meher. "You guys definitely surprised me."

"Hey Viru," said Preet as he joined the small group. His earlier smile had completely vanished. "What are you doing here?"

"Ashlesha invited me to join you guys," smiled Viren. "I just finished night duty at the hospital, so I was about to hit the sack, but then Ashlesha said Meher needed me. So, I chugged down 2 cups of black coffee and got here as soon as I could."

"You shouldn't have," grumbled Preet.

"Anything for my Meher," Viren smiled.

"No, I mean you really shouldn't have," mumbled Preet. His face fell as Viren put his arm around Meher and gave her a side hug.

"Okay you know what, don't tell me you're actually interested in that dress," Viren said as he took the pink dress Meher was holding and checked it from front and back. "No No No. It just won't do, but don't you worry Meher, I'll have something good picked out for you in no time."

"Why don't you let her pick out something she likes?" said Preet.

"Because she obviously needs help," replied Viren. He held up the dress Meher had chosen as evidence. "Look at this. Full sleeves...extra long...and pink? Really Meher, what are we in grade school?"

"She looks nice in pink," said Preet.

"She'll look even better when I'm done with her. Not better...hot!" grinned Viren.

Meher's face turned red as she stared at the ground. Preet could tell Viren's remark had made her uncomfortable.

"Viren...," whispered Meher. "Not everything here is within my budget."

"So what," said Viren. He looked at Preet and Ashlesha. "They brought you shopping, so they're picking up the tab, right?"

"Viren!" cried Meher.

"Meher, you don't have to worry about anything," Preet gave her a soft smile. "Feel free to pick out anything you like."

"See, I told you," Viren smiled triumphantly. "Now, let me see what I can do. Ooo, they have a nice selection here. You know Meher, if you wind up looking too hot, we may just ditch that get together on Tuesday and go out by ourselves." He winked at her making her turn even more red.

Meher gulped not daring to look at Preet. Why was her life so complicated?

Originally posted by: kiran_28

Another interesting update great Fatima..

Never k sath time spend krne k chakkr mae.. poor Preet stuck with ash :D

Originally posted by: AASUS

Page 19

looong 😲😲😲
Fatima I feel bad you had to write filler updates that too long ones *pats your back*
Meher replying to Preet when he said she would cook and her reply "I will..?!" Good one. 😆
The dialogues in various parts of scenes were expressive and fun to read.

Ash is cool though she tries too much to hang on to Preet. Does she really like him or she's going along with her parents' choice? I can't remember this part. In these scenes, she came across as innocent.

I don't have much to say on Meher or her predicament. Her attitude to serve even the ppl who are rude without complain just doesn't go well. I totally get irritated by that.
Her personality sort of resembles Heer in the show though circumstances are different I would say.

Preet was fun in all the scenes. He is confident about finding evidence to put Rampals in trouble. That's great. Though I'm not sure. Then again that is the only way out for the Js.

Meanie Maya was so full of attitude. DJ was just herself and quite polite to Meher. 🤔

Gaurav Preet were fun too. Gaurav playing devil's advocate is good one.

oooh juicy bit is Viren could be bisexual or gay huh. 😲
Will this bother Meher - cz she after all seem to want to do everything to please her family or she thinks she is helping Js. Her father - nothing to say about his attitude.
Meher not being honest with her father is a mistake - though he is completely useless and don't have the ability to go against his wife, he would know the truth about his daughter and how uncomfortable she is with this guy. But then again would he care? I don't think, he'd probably act like Kuljeet and say Meher needs time to adjust to new guy.😕

I had fun with dialogues. Story wise it was not much fun. So I call this a filler update.

You had immense patience to write this I'd say. I can't imagine you enjoying the writing part though. 🤗