Fatima's Cozy Corner 3 - Final Update on Pg 114 :) - Page 29

A few days later...

Preet sat at his desk staring at the files before him. Numbers, numbers, and more numbers. Boring! He stared out the office window at the bright sunny day beckoning him outside and exhaled loudly. It seemed like only yesterday that he had been enjoying the same weather on Meher's farm in Ambala. He had only suggested the trip in order to buy some time while he thought of a way to keep Meher in Delhi. The weekend had not been fault free though. He had almost gotten kicked by a cow...and stung by bees...and of course Viru had been there. But all was not lost. Meher had come back to Delhi. She had to, after what had happened. He smiled recollecting the moment. He had been caught standing...okay, well...hiding...behind Meher...dressed in nothing but a sheet. It was all innocent of course. After all, it wasn't his fault the bee had stung him in the butt, rendering him incapable of wearing pants for a few hours. But Chaddi had thrown a fit! The loser had stormed out of the house as if the sky had fallen! Perhaps Viru lost his cool, because this wasn't the first time he and Meher had had an 'incident'. Meher had kissed him right in front of his family and friends. It had been an innocent little peck on the cheek, but it qualified as a kiss nonetheless. He had been surprised, but so had everyone else in the room, especially Viren. Quite frankly, he didn't care. It wasn't Meher's fault that she couldn't bring herself to fall in love with Chaddi. But now, she was upset at him, as if it was his fault or something. Really?! He had been on his best behavior around her...well...kind of. Preet picked up his phone and toyed with the idea of calling Meher. Would she even take his call?

Before he could do anything, there was a knock on the door. It was Gaurav. "Hey man, what are you doing here?" asked Preet.

"I'm going out of town with my dad on business tonight, so we were supposed to meet up for lunch, remember?" said Gaurav, as he walked through the door. "If you'd rather not, I'll just leave."

"No, no Gaurav. Grab a chair," sighed Preet. "I'm sorry I just forgot. I...uh...have a lot on my mind these days."

"Yeah, I can see that," Gaurav said. He picked up one of the files scattered on Preet's desk. "But what's really got you preoccupied...is not on this table, is it?"

"What are you talking about?" asked Preet. He began to collect all the files and stack them neatly on one side of his desk.

Gaurav placed the file he had picked up, on top of the stack. "You were thinking about Meher, weren't you?"

"Is it that obvious?" chuckled Preet.

"You're in love, it happens. I know the feeling," smiled Gaurav.

"Yeah...I guess you do," nodded Preet. "But you lucked out buddy. Sam didn't go around breaking your heart a million different ways every single day."

"Maybe you should give Meher a little space Preet," suggested Gaurav.

"Space?" said Preet.

"Yeah...you know...be a little sensitive to her situation. I mean, did you ever stop to think that she's under a lot of pressure to go through with her marriage to Viren, just like you're being pushed to marry Ash?" Gaurav pointed out. "And not just from her family, but from the Rampals too. What happened the last time you guys were together...if it gets back to Mrs. Maan or Daljeet Rampal...I'm sure she'll have hell to pay. Maybe she's already in trouble."

"But she wouldn't have to go through anything if she agreed to marry me," said Preet.

"You say that because you're in love with her, but what about your dad?" asked Gaurav. "He wants you to marry Ash not Meher."

"I don't care what my father thinks," said Preet. "And neither should Meher."

"It's not that easy Preet," said Gaurav. "She's a girl. She comes from a modest, conservative family. She's had to live with a step-mother, who always made her do as she was told and never allowed her to express her feelings. We saw that first hand when we were staying at their place in Ludhiana, remember? You love her, there is no doubt about it. But if she's really in love with you then the last thing she'll want to do is to see you or your family get hurt, especially because of anything she did. That's why I'm saying...give her some space. You know the old saying...if you love someone set them free. If they come back to you...it was meant to be...otherwise..."

"No Gaurav...," Preet interrupted him. "If it was just a matter of Meher needing some time to think about us...I'd be willing to wait the rest of my life for her...but she's got too many people pulling her in too many wrong directions to be able to truly follow her heart. I'm not going to stand on the sideline and watch her slip away from me for all the wrong reasons. I just can't do that. Besides...I already know she and I are meant to be."

"Hmm," Gaurav said thoughtfully. "So...have you spoken to Ash?"

"Why would I want to speak to Ash?" said Preet.

"Because technically speaking you 2 are engaged," said Gaurav. "Granted it was an accident, but Meher did kiss you, and then of course...you were roaming around naked in the farm house."

"Hey...I had a perfectly good excuse for that!" said Preet.

"Yeah...yeah...of course you did," chuckled Gaurav. "But Viren seemed pretty upset when he left. Ash on the other hand was totally unfazed. Didn't you find that odd?"

"Yeah well, maybe Ash isn't as stupid as we all make her out to be," Preet shrugged his shoulders. "She didn't make a big deal out of it because it wasn't a big deal."

"No man, I get the feeling that there's something else," Gaurav shook his head. "Don't you think she takes her relationship with you a little too lightly?"

"That's because we don't have a relationship," Preet pointed out. "I've been saying that from day one. There is absolutely nothing between us. She's been cornered into accepting this marriage proposal just like I have. The little episodes of affection she displays every now and then are so fake, that I actually have to control my laugh sometimes."

"Yes, but what do the Rampals have to gain from this arrangement?" Gaurav wondered out loud.

"I don't know," sighed Preet. "And in the end it doesn't really matter, because I'm never going to marry Ash."

"But Preet...," tried Gaurav.

"Look...it's Meher I'm worried about right now," Preet cut him off. "If either Viren or Ash make a big stink over what happened at the farm or at the dinner party, she'll be in trouble with more than just her family. I want Viren to get lost more than anything, but I don't want Meher to get hurt in the process. We'll go grab some lunch, but let me give her a call and make sure everything is alright first."

Meanwhile...

Meher walked into the kitchen. She poured herself a cup of tea, then pulled out her phone and dialed a number. It went straight to voicemail.

"Hello Viren, this is Meher again. I've been trying to reach you all morning, please call me back. We really need to talk...about...well...about what happened." Meher sighed as she spoke into her cell phone. "I know you were upset when you left, and I didn't get a chance to explain, but believe me it was an accident. I don't want you to make something more of the situation than it was. Please...call me."

Meher hung up the phone and stared at it in despair. That was the 3^rd time that day she had tried calling Viren to no avail. In fact, he hadn't been taking her calls since they got back from Ambala. He must be furious with her. The displeasure on his face when he saw her with Preet was unmistakable. He had left the farmhouse abruptly thereafter without saying a word to her. He had probably gone home and told his parents some twisted version of events. They in turn must have spoken to her parents. Ashlesha had left for Delhi with Viren. She had been awfully quiet since coming home too. Had she told Daljeet anything? Had Viren's parents spoken to her parents? No one had said anything to her yet. No news was good news, right? Or was it just the quiet before the storm? What if Daljeet knew, and she was planning some slow painful torture for her? She would definitely call Kuljeet and fill her mind with God knows what, then call off her wedding! How would she face her father? And Kuljeet? Kuljeet would kill her! Maybe Ashlesha would call off her wedding to Preet too. Preet's family would lose everything! And it would be all her fault! Wait a minute...it wasn't just her fault! It was Preet's fault too! He was the one who wouldn't stop pursuing her and...and...making her feel all confused and frazzled by coming on to her all the time. That's what he was doing in the kitchen the night of the dinner party wasn't it?! There's something on your nose my foot! Jhoota kahin ka (Big fat liar)! And what had possessed him to roam around the farmhouse in only a sheet!

Just then the phone in Meher's hand rang. "Hello Viren?" she spoke into the phone anxiously.

"It's me," Preet said through gritted teeth.

"What do you want?" demanded Meher.

"And a very good day to you too," scoffed Preet.

"Good day?" asked Meher. "How can you expect my day or anything else to be good after what happened?"

"Why? What happened that was so bad?" smiled Preet.

"As if you don't remember!" cried Meher. "I bet you're smiling to yourself and feeling all smug right now Preet Juneja, but do you have any idea how much trouble I'll be in if Viren or Ashlesha tell their parents that I...that you...?"

"Got stung in the rear end by a bee, and you helped me?" Preet finished her sentence. "Or that you kissed me?"

"Would you stop bringing that up again and again!" cried Meher. "It was a mistake and you know it. Everything was just a big misunderstanding."

"And...you not being able to keep your eyes off me while I slept? Was that a misunderstanding too?" asked Preet. Meher grew silent. "I don't know Meher. I don't know if we keep having these misunderstandings...or you trying to keep your feelings for me all bottled up isn't working."

"What are you talking about?" cried Meher.

"I'm crazy about you Meher and you know it. Just like I know that you're in love with me," explained Preet. "But if you keep on denying your feelings for me, then...one way or the other...they will come out. That kiss at the dinner party was a perfect example."

"That's not what happened, no matter how much you'd like to believe it," insisted Meher.

"Oh, but that's exactly what happened," argued Preet. "If Chaddi has even an iota of common sense, he'll realize this and walk away, and the sooner he does the better it will be for all of us."

"You're forgetting one thing Preet," said Meher. "I don't want Viren to walk away. I don't want to call off my wedding to him."

"Yes you do," said Preet.

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

"Yes, you do," insisted Preet.

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

"No, you don't," said Preet.

"Yes, I do!" cried Meher. "Uh...I mean...No, I don't! You tricked me!"

"Andar ki baat ziyada dair tak chupee nahin rehti (You can't hide things for ever)," chuckled Preet. "You just proved me right...again. A few months is all I need Meher, and then we can be together...I promise."

"Uff! You can be such a...such a...," Meher searched for the right word.

"Cute...caring...hopeless romantic...and all around wonderful guy?" offered Preet.

"...Child!" retorted Meher. "Why?! Why do I even bother talking to you Preet?!"

"Because you love me," said Preet.

"Stop saying that! And don't you dare call me back, because I won't pick up!" Meher cried as she ended her call.

Preet looked at his phone and winced. He saw Gaurav watching him very carefully. He had almost forgotten he was in the room. He quickly put his phone back up against his ear and pretended to still be on the phone with Meher. "Oh yeah? Well I...uh...I don't want to talk to you when you're in such a sour mood either."

Gaurav walked over to Preet and placed a hand on his shoulder. "She hung up on you didn't she?"

Preet gave his friend a sheepish look and sighed. "Maybe you're right...about giving her some space."

Meanwhile...

Meher made a mental note not to answer her phone again without checking to see who the caller was first. As she turned around grumbling to herself, she was startled to see Ashlesha standing in the doorway of the kitchen. "Ashlesha...tum...uh...Hi."

"Hi," said Ashelsha.

Oh my God! Did she overhear me talking to Preet? Can my life get any worse?! "I didn't know you were home," Meher gave her a weak smile. "Uh...how long have you been standing there?"

"Oh, I just came in right now," said Ashelsha. She walked over to the fridge and took out a bottle of mineral water. "Who were you on the phone with?"

"Phone? Me?" stammered Meher.

"Yeah, you seem kind of upset," Ashlesha pointed out.

"Oh...that...it was nobody important," lied Meher. "Just a telemarketer."

"You're getting a lot of calls from telemarketers these days," said Ashlesha.

What did she mean by that? thought Meher. She knew she had been talking to Preet, didn't she? Oh God! "Um...Ashlesha...I'm glad you're here. I've been meaning to talk to you about...Preet."

"Preet?" Ashelsha asked innocently. "What about Preet?"

"Well...you know...what happened at the farm could easily be misconstrued as...uh...something more than it really was...and I just want to clear the air," said Meher.

"Okay...go ahead...I'm listening," said Ashlesha.

"Well...Preet got hurt. He was stung by a bee...um...down there...and...uh...that's why he didn't have any pants on," stammered Meher. "He had slept through lunch and I was just taking a tray for him, but then you know there's no air conditioning at the farmhouse and he was headed for the shower...and we..."

"...collided," suggested Ashlesha.

"Right," nodded Meher. "It was an accident. I mean, I know he's your fiance. I can only imagine what you must have thought. I haven't been able to sleep properly, just worrying about how I was going to face you...and..."

"Oh come on Meher...take a chill pill," chuckled Ashlesha. "I can't believe you actually lost sleep worrying about that."

"You mean you're not upset?" Meher asked in surprise.

"About what?" asked Ashlesha. "I mean it's not like you and Preet have a thing for each other...right?"

"Right...uh...Preet and I...we're definitely...uh...nothing...nothing more than friends," lied Meher.

"And it's not like Preet was walking around naked on purpose...he was hurt," continued Ashlesha. "I understand completely."

"So you won't say anything to your mother?" asked Meher.

"What's there to say?" Ashelsha shrugged her shoulders.

"Well, that's a relief," sighed Meher. "I mean, that's really great of you Ashlesha. I wish Viren was as open minded as you are."

"Why, what's wrong with Viren?" asked Ashlesha.

"He's obviously upset about everything that's happened," sighed Meher. "He didn't even say good-bye to me before he left the farm. I've been calling him for the past few days and he just doesn't answer."

"You know Meher, despite all that talk about him looking forward to moving to America, Viren comes from a background similar to yours," said Ashlesha. "You know...middle class, conservative, never set a foot outside India. Maybe he's not as open-minded as he pretends to be. Or maybe he's the jealous type. Or maybe it's just that you 2 are newly engaged and he was miffed because you kissed Preet instead of him. Or maybe he's just busy at work. I mean the guy is a doctor. I'm sure once you get a chance to explain things to him, he'll get over it."

"What if he tells his parents? What if they call off our wedding?" Meher said worriedly. "Kuljeet Ma will kill me."

"And my mom will kill him first," said Ashlesha.

"What?" said Meher.

"Uh...my mom...she'd never let him make such a stupid mistake," Ashlesha said quickly. "She...uh...she says you 2 are perfect for each other...you know...a match made in heaven. Just like me and Preet."

Meher gave her a weak smile.

"Anyway...I hate to see you so down," Ashlesha changed the topic. "How about you and I go out and do something fun?"

"Thanks for the offer Ashlesha, but I really need to pack my bags," said Meher. "I would be home already, if I didn't have to get in touch with Viren."

"Back home to Ludhiana?" said Ashlesha. "No no, that will never do. I mean, what's the rush? Kuljeet Maasi said you could stay as long as you liked. Besides, Veera's wedding festivities start in a few days. Don't you want to attend them?"

"There will be so many people there, I doubt I'll be missed," said Meher.

"Oh, I'm sure someone will definitely miss you," said Ashlesha.

"What?" said Meher.

"Viren," said Ashlesha. "I'm talking about Viren. You don't want to leave without resolving things with him, do you?"

"No...I guess not," muttered Meher.

"Good, it's settled then," smiled Ashlesha. "Come on, you and I are going to the spa. We'll get a facial, a massage, the works, and then, we'll have a girls' night out."

"A girls' night out?" Meher asked warily.

"Yes," smiled Ashlehsa. "We'll ask Veera and Sam to join us too, and make it like a bacherlorette party."

"A bachelorette party? I don't know Ashlehsa," said Meher. "I don't think..."

"Oh come on Meher, don't be such a bore," chuckled Ashlesha. "For once, let your hair down and have fun!"

Later that night...

"Hurry up Meher, I'll be...I mean we'll be late," Ashlesha knocked on Meher's door.

Meher reluctantly opened the door of her room. Ashlesha walked in and looked over her disapprovingly. "Oh God! You took all that time to get ready and you still chose to wear a shalwar kameez! What is wrong with you? Where is the dress I gave you? I bet it's rotting somewhere in the corner of your closet. Have you no sense of fashion?!"

"Ashlesha I told you I feel out of place in western clothes," sighed Meher.

"I don't know why," sighed Ashlesha. "You look very nice in them. Besides, we can't be showing up at a trendy establishment with you in a shalwar kameez and that noose you wear around your neck all the time."

"It's called a dupatta," said Meher. "And you don't have to go out with me. I'm perfectly content staying in my room reading a book or something."

"No way! I didn't spend the day getting us pampered at the spa for you to stay home and read books. Fine! Go ahead and wear your stupid traditional clothes," Ashlesha rolled her eyes. Just then she spotted Meher's flip flops. "Ugh! What have you go on your feet? I told you to put heels on."

"But...," protested Meher.

"No buts," Ashlesha wagged a finger at her. "They'll make your derriere look smaller."

Moments later...

Ashlesha and Meher were heading out of the Rampal Mansion when Daljeet ran into the girls. "Going somewhere ladies?" asked Daljeet. She threw her daughter a questioning look.

"Uh...yes Mom...we were going out," said Ashlesha. "I thought I'd take Meher out...uh...you know just to hang out. Sam and Veera are going to join us too. Just a nice night out together with the girls...nothing more."

"Is that right Meher?" asked Daljeet.

"Yes, Maasi...I mean Mrs. Rampal," nodded Meher. "Sam and Veera are joining us. We'll have dinner and then..."

"...see mom, Meher is going to be with me the entire time. And you know what a good girl she is," Ashlesha interrupted her. "We'll grab some dinner, maybe do a little dancing, then we'll come straight home. I promise."

"Alright, I'll tell the driver to get the car out," said Daljeet.

"Mom, it's okay, I'll drive," said Ashlesha.

"Ashlesha...you're engaged to Preet now...remember?" Daljeet said through gritted teeth. "I don't want anyone raising any fingers. You go with the driver or you don't go at all."

"Fine!" frowned Ashelsha. "We'll go with the driver. Now may we leave?"

"I suppose so," said Daljeet, as she walked away. "Have fun girls...but not too much fun."

"Phew!" sighed Ashlesha. "That was a close call. And what were you about to tell mom? That we were going club hopping? Are you crazy or something? Never give out more information than absolutely necessary! Do you understand?"

"I don't see what the problem is," said Meher. "It's not like we're hiding anything, are we?"

"No," Ashelsha shook her head. "It's just that...Mom can be a real control freak sometimes. Come on let's go."

A short while later...

Meher and Ashelsha sat at a restaurant table waiting for Veera and Sam to show up.

"Oh God!" Ashelsha said impatiently, as she tried Veera on her cell phone. "Where are these girls?"

"It's only 7 O'clock," said Meher. "I'm sure they'll be here soon enough."

"Yes but then I'll be late," said Ashlesha. "Uh...I mean...we have to go to the club too."

"Is that really necessary?" asked Meher.

"Yes," Ashlesha said quickly. "I have to meet someone...I mean...our little bachelorette party remember? I went through a lot of trouble to make all the arrangements so don't mess up my plans Meher."

"Okay, okay, I won't," sighed Meher. She pointed to a waiter leading 2 girls to their table. "Oh look...Sam and Veera are here."

"Hey guys," smiled Veera. As she took turns hugging Meher and Ashlesha. "I hope we didn't keep you waiting too long."

"No no, not at all," Ashelsha smiled sweetly. She motioned to the waiter. "But I am starving, so let's order quickly."

Meher was surprised at how quickly Ashlesha switched from being impatient and complaining to all sweetness. She also noticed that she seemed quite distracted during dinner and was checking the time on her phone repeatedly. She must really have something special planned for Veera, she thought.

Once dinner was over, the driver took the girls to a nearby nightclub. "Here we are ladies," said Ashelsha, as she exited the vehicle. She smiled and waved her hand at the building. "Club Nirvana."

A long list of people stood outside the entrance waiting to get in, while 2 burly looking bouncers checked IDs and decided who got in and who didn't.

"Wasn't this place on the news a week ago because of a police raid?" asked Sam.

"Oh no," said Ashlesha. "You must have it confused with some other club. I've been here plenty of times. This place is clean, trust me."

"Well, we could have just hung out at the lounge in the restaurant," complained Sam. "Why did we bother coming here?"

"Because this is the trendiest nightclub in town, and Ash doesn't do restaurant lounges," Ashelsha said flatly. She gave Sam and Meher a tired look. "You 2 have probably never been inside a club, but Veera why are you looking so worried? Don't tell me you've never been to one either."

"I have," said Veera. "But never without Nihal or Preet Bhaiya." Veera bit her lip. She was not about to admit to Ashlesha that she had only been to a nightclub twice. Once for her 16^th birthday and then again for her 18^th. Both times her family had rented out the entire club for the night so she and her friends could party in a safe environment. Even then Preet had been lurking in the shadows ready to beat up any guy even remotely thinking of getting fresh with his baby sister. The only people she had been allowed to dance with were Preet, Gaurav, and their friend Nihal. That's how she and Nihal had first met. "Uh...I don't know if this is a good idea," continued Veera. "I mean, I don't think either one of them would approve of us being here by ourselves. Maybe we should call it a night."

Now that sounds like a good idea, thought Meher. Viren hadn't called her back at all. Her being at a club might upset him even more. The last thing she needed was more grief. She was about to agree with Veera, when Ashelsha spoke up first.

"Approve?! What are you from the middle ages?" Ashlesha gave a little snort of laughter. "You know for someone who spent so many years abroad, your brother has very old fashioned values. I mean, if we were guys, no one would think twice about us being here. You Junejas are originally from Ambala right? I guess what they say is true...you can take someone out of the small town, but you can't take the small town mentality out of them." Veera frowned at her remark, but Ashlesha continued undeterred. "I can't believe I actually went through the trouble of arranging this entire girls' night out so you could have a little fun and enjoy your last few days of freedom and you don't even care. Or are you just making excuses because you're afraid?"

"I'm not afraid," Veera said defensively.

"Good," smiled Ashlesha. "Then let's go in."

"Forget it Ash," said Sam. "Have you seen the line? We'll never get in."

"And you're forgetting that you're with Ash," replied Ashlesha. "Just follow me." She bypassed the line and led the girls straight to the entrance. The bouncer gave her a slight nod of approval and let her go in.

"Hey what gives?" A young girl waiting in line with her friends called out. "We've been standing here for over an hour!"

"Yeah well...she knows the owner," replied one of the bouncers.

Moments later...

Meher stood inside the club squinting as her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting. The place was jam packed. Colored lights played over the dance floor, while the DJ played the music so loud it vibrated the floor. Young women dressed in high heels and clothes she would never dream of wearing danced seductively, while their partners pranced around them in every direction. At the bar, more young men were busy trying to start up conversations with girls uninterested in their cheesy pick-up lines. It was like a scene out of a B-grade Bollywood movie. Meher shook her head. What on earth was she doing here? If this was how the trendy upper class lived, she was fine in her own "backward little world."

"Well, what do you think?" asked Ashlesha.

"You really don't want to know," said Sam.

Ignoring her remark, Ashlesha led the girls through the dense atmosphere of the club. "Come on," she said, greeting several people on the way to the bar. "Let's get something to drink."

"Unbelievable!" cried Sam, as the girls made it to the bar and found themselves seats. "I don't think I've rubbed against so many strangers on the bus even. Someone even pinched me!"

"Me too," blushed Meher. "I thought this was supposed to be a girls' night out. A bacholerette party for Veera."

"Looks like you forgot to tell half of Delhi not to show up," said Sam.

"Well what did you expect?" sighed Ashelsha. "That I arrange for male dancers to strip for us so we could stuff money into their G-strings? This is it...take it or leave it."

"I'll leave it," Sam said flatly.

"Buzz off Sam! I'm sick and tired of your snide remarks," said Ashlesha.

"Guys please...let's not fight," pleaded Meher. "Ashelsha...we came here like you wanted, but I don't think any of us are comfortable here. Let's just go home."

"I can't," said Ashlesha.

"What?" said Meher.

"I mean...fine," sighed Ashelsha. "Look...I just saw someone I know...and I'm going to go say hello to them and then we can leave, okay? In the meantime, let me get you guys something to drink." She motioned to the bartender. "Give me a 7 and 7. What will you guys have?"

"A coke is fine with me," said Sam.

"Me too," said Veera.

"I'll have an orange soda," said Meher. "But Ashlesha...hurry back."

Ashlesha nodded and smiled. She took a sip of her drink then disappeared into the mass of bodies on the dance floor.

Moments later...

"Uh guys, I hate to say this, but I need to use the ladies room," said Veera. "Would one of you mind accompanying me?"

"I'll go with you," offered Sam. "I may have to use the restroom myself."

"We'll both go," suggested Meher.

"No Meher," said Veera. "What if Ash Bhabi comes back before we're gone. She'll be worried."

"So what?" said Sam. "I don't mind letting her sweat a little."

"You're forgetting Sam, Ashlesha is our ride home," sighed Meher. "What if she thinks we've left without her?"

"Well maybe that's exactly what we should do," said Sam.

"And what about me?" asked Meher. "I'm staying at her place, remember? I can't very well go back home without her. What will I say to Mrs. Rampal?"

"Okay fine," Sam rolled her eyes. "You stay here in case Ash comes back, and Veera and I will go to the ladies room."

Meher chewed on her lower lip nervously as she watched her friends walk away. She checked her watch. Ashlesha hadn't been gone for long, but she hoped she would return quickly just the same. Just then a young man with medium built, big eyes and long hair slipped into the bar stool next to her.

"You don't mind me sitting here do you?" he asked flashing her a smile.

"Actually...uh...my friend was sitting there...she...uh...she'll be right back," stammered Meher.

Not really paying attention to her answer, the young man motioned to the bartender. "Give me a Stoli Oranjh and soda. The bartender nodded and quickly served up the drink."

"So...," the young man turned to Meher again. "You come here often?"

"No...never," said Meher. She reached out and picked up her drink, hoping if she looked uninterested enough, the guy would take a hint and leave her alone. Unknowingly she picked up his drink by mistake and took a sip. She looked at her glass. It was different than the orange soda she was used to drinking. It was sweet with a warm spicy orange taste kicking in at the end.

Encouraged by the fact that Meher had picked up his drink, the young man introduced himself. "I'm Dheer," he grinned.

Meher ignored him. She finished her drink and waved to the bartender. "Could I have another one of these?" She pointed to her glass.

"You know you have the most beautiful hair I've seen on a girl in a long time," Dheer tried again. "And it's so long."

He reached his hand out to touch Meher's hair, but she put her hand up to stop him. "Please...I'm really not interested." She took a sip of her drink then turned her back to him craning her neck for any sign of her friends. Dheer motioned for the bartender to refill her drink.

"You know," Dheer tried again. "You're not like the other girls in here. You're special. In fact, on a scale of 1 to 10...you're a 9...and I'm the 1 you need."

Meher gave him a fed up look then turned back to her drink. Where were Sam and Veera? How long did it take for someone to get done with using the restroom? Maybe there was a line. She took a deep breath and rubbed her forehead with her fingertips. She was suddenly beginning to feel very warm and a strange buzzing sensation was growing inside her head.

"I even like the outfit you're wearing," Dheer said. "It's...uh...different from what everyone else has got on. But you know what you would really look beautiful in? My arms."

"Oh God!" cried Meher. "Will you please just leave me alone?!" She stood up suddenly only to feel the floor beneath her move. Dheer caught her just before she stumbled.

"Well well...now this is called...ask and you shall receive," grinned Dheer.

A short while later...

Preet walked into his room, tossed his briefcase and coat on his bed, and slumped into one of the arm chairs by his bed. He was exhausted. Not only had he put in a full day of work at the office, he had also stayed overtime pouring over files of the past bids the Junejas had lost and comparing them with the data they had on the Rampals. Something fishy was going on, with the way the Rampals conducted their business. He was sure of it, but what exactly, he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He had discussed the matter with Gaurav over lunch. Gaurav was an expert numbers guy. He promised to help him look into the matter as soon as he got back from his business trip.

Just then there was a knock on the door. Preet looked up to see Heer pop her head in the doorway.

"Hey Preet, you're finally home," she smiled. "Tough day at the office?"

"I don't know about tough," Preet shrugged his shoulders. "But it sure was a long one."

"You look very tired," said Heer. "You missed dinner too. Shall I have something warmed up?"

"No Bhabi, thanks," sighed Preet. "I'm too tired to eat. I'm just going to turn in." He had just uttered these words when his phone rang. It was Veera. "Why is Veera calling me on my cell phone?" He wondered out loud.

"She went out for dinner with Ashlesha," explained Heer. "Maybe she's going to be running a little late."

"Right," Preet nodded as he answered his phone. "Hey Veera, what's up?"

"Preet Bhaiya," said Veera. She clearly sounded worried. "Help!"