Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai - 28 July 2025 EDT
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki: Episode Discussion Thread - 23
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai July 29, 2025 Episode Discussion Thread
Geetanjali vs Abhinav
MAIRA IS SAD 😞28.7
BALH Naya Season EDT Week #7: July 28-Aug 1
YRKKH to take a generation leap!!!
Gen 5 Storyline
CRYING FAMILY 29.7
Maa esi nahi hoti…
In the ruins....I found you ❤️-A Prashiv ss
Did she really say that?
If you had the power of vanishing one nepo kid?
Anyone else born in the 80's?
Anupamaa 29 July 2025 Written Update & Daily Discussions Thread
Will Dhadak 2 surpass Saiyaara? 😎
Kajol screams like Anjali (in K3G) for Nysa’s graduation
Half Girlfriend: anyone watched it?
Will WAR 2 Surpass Saiyaara
19 years of Omkara
Chapter 39 - The Plot Thickens
Meher rushed into the washroom and locked the door behind her. She was fuming, and began to pace the room in an effort to calm down. He had done it again! Gotten her alone...cornered her...and turned her into a helpless pile of mush! She walked over to the mirror and checked her reflection. There was large yellow spot on her cheek, courtesy of Preet Juneja deliberately rubbing his cheek against hers. Sam and Heer Didi had walked in on them. And they knew...they knew everything! How utterly embarrassing! She wanted to die! But uff! She wanted to strangle Preet first!
Meher turned the tap on, and washed her face until the haldi had come off. She picked up a towel and dried her face, then walked back to the guest room, where her changing bag was. That's it! She decided. She was going to stay up here until the Sangeet program started and then leave as soon as it was over. She had to attend Veera's wedding tomorrow. But she was going to make sure to be on the next bus to Ludhiana, first thing the day after that.
"Oh there you are Meher," said Ashelsha, as she walked into the room. "I've been looking all over for you."
"Did you need something?" asked Meher.
"Yes, remember the mendhi design book I was looking at last night?" said Ashlesha. "I promised to show it to Veera and now I can't find it anywhere."
"It's probably in your bag?" said Meher.
"No, I already checked it twice...it's not there," said Ashelsha. "I'm thinking, perhaps I left it on my bedside table."
"Oh...well, I'm sure whoever is coming to apply the mendhi will have plenty of designs for Veera to choose from," said Meher.
"Not good enough," said Ashlehsa. "See this book had all the latest bridal designs from all over the world. Do me a favor and run home and get the book for me. I know it seems trivial to you but..."
"No...it's okay," smiled Meher. "I'll be happy to go."
"Thank you Meher," smiled Ashelsha. "You are such a doll!"
No Ashlesha, thought Meher. Thank you. I was only going to hide up here to avoid Preet. You just gave me the perfect excuse to get away from him...even if it is for just a little while.
Later...
Meher walked into the Rampal mansion and headed upstairs. She took out her phone and called Ashlesha as soon as she reached her room.
"Okay Ashlesha," said Meher. "I'm here, but I don't see a design book on any of the bedside tables."
"Well, look around a little," said Ashlesha. "Maybe it's in one of the drawers."
Meher checked the drawers of one bedside table, and found nothing. She walked over to the other side, sure enough the design book was in the top drawer. "Okay, I think I found it." She picked up the book only to have a small slip of paper fall out of it. "Uh-o," she said. "Hang on a second, I think I dropped something."
"Come on Meher," sighed Ashelsha. "Can't you do anything right? Make sure you bring the entire book with you. I don't want to be sending you back for a missing page."
Meher picked up the small piece of paper. "No, it's not a page from the design book, it's just a small piece of paper, with a date and time on it. It looks like an appointment reminder from some doctor's office." She was about to read the name when Ashlesha interrupted her.
"Put that back right now Meher!" yelled Ashlesha. "Right now!"
"Okay okay...calm down," said Meher. "I put it back in the drawer. Why do you have an appointment with the doctor? Are you sick or something?"
"No!" snapped Ashlesha. "It's just for a routine check up, okay. Now stop snooping around in my room and get back here ASAP!"
"Fine," sighed Meher. She looked at her phone as Ashelsha hung up on her. What was that all about? She quickly flipped through the mendhi design book to make sure all the pages were intact, tucked the book inside her purse, and headed out the door.
Later...
Meher strolled into the Juneja mansion, and casually looked around for any sign of Preet. She sighed in relief when she found none. She headed upstairs in search of Ashlesha, but didn't find her in the guest room. I should have looked downstairs first, she thought.
As Meher headed back down the hall towards the staircase, she passed Preet's room. The door was closed, but she could hear noises coming inside. Veera's sangeet would start in a few hours and she really didn't want a repeat of the embarrassment she had to face after the haldi ceremony. He may not care about Ashlesha, but Viren was going to be there tonight, and she didn't want any trouble. Maybe she should talk to him. He was after all an adult. She could ask him to be reasonable...and stay away from her...he might agree...at least for tonight.
She raised her hand to knock on the door then pulled it back. What if he pulled her inside and tried to kiss her? Hmph! Let him try. She'd let him have it this time for sure. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door, but there was no answer. That's strange, she thought. I know there is someone inside. She tapped the door again, but there was still no answer. She opened the door and walked into the room angrily. "What is wrong with you Preet?! Why don't you answer?!"
She was surprised to find Vikas and Ketan sitting in front of the TV screen playing video games.
"Ha-ha! You lost!" Ketan said to Vikas.
"No fair!" Vikas pointed an accusing finger at Meher. "She barged in and distracted me."
"I...I'm sorry guys," Meher gave them a weak smile. "I was...uh...looking for your Preet Mamu. Do you by any chance know where he is?"
"Well...he was playing video games with us earlier," said Ketan. "But mom called him downstairs for something. You should ask her."
"Thanks," said Meher. She gave Vikas an apologetic look. "Sorry about ruining your game."
"Eh...I guess it's okay," Vikas shrugged his shoulders. "You are a girl after all."
"And what is that supposed to mean?" frowned Meher.
"Girls are always poking their noses where they don't belong," said Ketan.
"What?! Listen you guys...,"" Meher could see the boys had turned back to their game and were no longer paying any attention to her. Forget it! What was she going to do argue with a 10 year old? It was difficult enough trying to deal with their mamu. Speaking of Preet, she had to find him and come to a truce with him. Perhaps he was in the room he was setting up for the sangeet. She went back downstairs, and checked but the lights were off in the ballroom and no one was there. She was about to try the kitchen next, when she ran into Ashlesha and Sam.
"There she is," said Sam.
"The driver came back a while ago," said Ashlesha. "Where were you?"
"Never mind that," said Sam. "Did you bring back the book? The ladies have already started applying the mendhi on each other, but Ashlesha refuses to let them put anything on Veera until you returned with her design book."
"Where is it?" asked Ashelsha.
"Here," said Meher. She took the book out of her bag and held it out for Ashlesha, but Sam took it instead.
"Let me see it first," chuckled Sam. "I want to see what's so special that you made Meher go back and get it."
"You can look at it all you want," said Ashlesha. "I already picked out the design I want last night. It's the best one."
"Shouldn't you leave the best one for the bride?" asked Sam.
"Why? It's my book," said Ashlesha.
"That's so childish," Sam rolled her eyes.
"Did you just call me childish?" fumed Ashlesha.
Sam nodded. "A 2 year old knows how to share better."
Meher shook her head and left the girls to argue. She walked into the main hall and found Heer and Kulraj seated with the other ladies. Veera had bathed and changed, and they were all sitting around her. Some were laughing and chatting, while others were having mendhi applied to their hands.
"Arey Meher, where did disappear to?" said Kulraj. "Chal aaja, mendhi lagwa le (come, have henna applied to you)."
"Meher Maasi, look at my hands," Chahat smiled as she held up her hands for her to see. "Mommy made this. Isn't it pretty?"
"It's lovely Chahat," smiled Meher.
"My turn now," said Tanu, as she placed her hands in Heer's lap.
Meher came and sat next to them. "Um...Kulraj Didi, have you seen Preet? I was hoping to speak to him before the Sangeet."
"Kyun?" Heer wiggled her eyebrows teasingly at Meher. "Haldi ke baad ab mendhi lagwani hai uss se (After the haldi, do you want him to apply mendhi to you)?""
Meher face immediately turned red.
"Wait...what happened? Did I miss something?" asked Kulraj.
Meher gave Heer a pleading look, begging her not to say anything.
"Nothing Di," chuckled Heer.
"Anyway, if you must know, Preet and Prem took some of Veera's stuff over to Nihal's house," said Kulraj. "They should be back soon."
"Unless they decide to hang out over there," said Heer. "I mean, there's really nothing for the guys to do here until the Sangeet tonight."
"And Preet Chachu hates the smell of mendhi," giggled Chahat.
"That's true," chuckled Kulraj.
"Oh," sighed Meher. It was just as well, she thought. She was safe until the sangeet.
Just then, Sam and Ashlesha walked into the hall and sat down in front of Veera.
"Okay Veera, said Ashelsha. "I've got the perfect design for you."
Meher watched Veera and the other girls clammer around the design book, arguing until they came to a consensus. She waited patiently until the book was passed to her, then busied herself in selecting a design. Little did she know, that someone had just snapped a picture of her.
Later that evening...
Meher came down the stairs dressed in a beautiful navy blue lengha with a flower motif, and a heavily embroidered gold and dark pink fall that matched her blouse and dupatta. She had left her hair open and swept over to one side. Preet had always called her Cinderella. She surely felt like one in the high-end clothes she couldn't afford, but was still wearing courtesy of Daljeet Rampal. Her step-aunt may not like her very much, but she certainly had not held back when spending money on anything she needed for Veera's wedding. And Meher was grateful for that.
"Well don't you look pretty," smiled Heer, as she walked by with a tray full of snacks.
"Heer Didi," frowned Meher as she took the tray from her. "Why are you always doing the serving?"
"I'm not Meher," chuckled Heer. "The servants are doing the majority of the work, but...you know...Kulraj and I want to make sure everything is just right."
"Well, you've been at it all day, and you should rest now," said Meher. "I'll take care of this tray."
"Okay, if you insist," smiled Heer.
"Hey Meher," said Sam. "Can I use your phone? My battery died out. I want to call Gaurav and find out why he's not here yet."
"Sure," smiled Meher. "It's in the pouch hanging on my side." She turned so Sam could take it.
"Thanks," smiled Sam. But before she could dial a number, the phone began to beep. "Oh...I think you just got a message."
"A message?" Meher said in surprise. "From who?"
Sam tapped on the phone and a picture of Meher with a caption popped up. "Oye-hoye! It's a picture of you," smiled Sam. "...taken earlier in the day."
"What?" Meher said in surprise. "Let me see that." She took a step towards Sam, but her friend backed away.
"Listen to this," giggled Sam. "Ek ladki ko dekha toh aisa laga...(I saw a girl and she seemed to be...)"
Meher gasped. "Sam...give me my phone back!"
Just then the phone beeped again, Sam immediately checked the message, then showed it to Heer. It was another picture of Meher with a new caption.
"Jaise khilta gulab (like a blooming rose)...Jaise shayar ka khwab (like a poet's muse)," Heer read out loud.
"Heer Didi...mera phone (my phone)!" pleaded Meher.
"Looks like you have an admirer Meher," teased Sam. "And it's someone from right here because all of these pictures were taken today."
"I wonder who it is?" chuckled Heer.
Just then the phone beeped again. Before Sam could check it, Meher snatched it out of her hands leaving her with the tray instead. She ran off to one side and looked at the message. I'm waiting for you in the ballroom Cinderella, it read.
Meher was furious. Preet had embarrassed her again. Sam was hopeless, but she had expected at least Heer Didi to know better. They both were engaged...to other people, but rather than talk some sense into Preet, she was condoning his flirtatious behavior.
Moments later...
"Hi," smiled Preet, as Meher walked into the ballroom.
"Are you crazy?!" cried Meher. "Why were you sending me messages?!"
"I heard you were looking for me...so...," said Preet.
"So you thought this was a cute way to get me to come here?!" said Meher.
"Right," said Preet.
"Wrong!" cried Meher. "Sam had my phone. She saw everything. And so did Heer Bhabi!"
"Oops!" said Preet.
"Oops! Is that all you have to say?!" demanded Meher.
"Oops...and...I don't care," Preet shrugged his shoulders. "They both know how I feel about you. By the way, have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?"
"Kitne besharam ho gaye ho tum Preet (you have no shame)," said Meher. She turned to leave, but before she could step away from him, his fingers were around her wrist in a firm hold. "Chodo mujhe (leave me)!" She tugged her arm trying to break away from him, but it was no use. As if suddenly realizing something, she quickly hid her right hand behind her back, as he inspected the mendhi design on her left hand.
"Wow Meher, just look at the deep rich color of this mendhi," said Preet. "Do you know what that means? That our love will be equally strong."
"Another old-wives tales," said Meher. "There is no evidence to support that theory."
"Fair enough, but what are you hiding behind your back?" Preet raised her other arm up to inspect the pink bangles she was wearing. "Well now...these look familiar," he grinned. "Funny how you still have these considering I don't mean anything to you."
{Flashback...}
"Uff ho! Yeh Gaurav bhi na," complained Sam. "Why does he keep a phone if he's not going to answer it?"
"If I was your boyfriend I wouldn't answer it either," smirked Ashlesha.
Sam stuck her tongue out at her.
"Don't worry about it Sam," laughed Meher. "He'll be here soon enough." She put on her earrings then quickly checked her reflection in the mirror. "So...are you guys ready to go down?"
"You go ahead," said Sam. "I want to try Gaurav once more."
"Hey Meher," said Ashlesha. "Are these yours? I mean, are you going to use them?" She pointed to a box of beautiful pink bangles peeking out from Meher's bag. "Because I was thinking...if I'm going all traditional and all, they'll go really well with my outfit."
Sam and Meher both glanced over at the bangles.
Sam immediately recognized them as the ones Preet had bought for Meher on their date. "Yeah Meher...if they don't mean anything to you...I mean, if you're not going to use them, then you may as well let Ashlesha have them," she said. "Just like you let her have...well...you know what I mean." She chuckled to herself as she left the room.
Meher frowned at her remark. How could Sam be so insensitive? Didn't she realize she was doing what was best for Preet? Why was everyone making her out to be the bad guy then?
"Meher...the bangles?" Ashlesha. She reached out for them but Meher quickly picked them up instead.
"Actually Ashlesha, I'm sorry...but I was just about to put these on myself," said Meher.
{End of flashback}
Meher kicked herself mentally. Why?! Why had she worn the bangles he had once bought for her? Why hadn't she just let Ashelsha have them? "These old things? Heh-heh...they just happened to match..."
Preet shook his head as if he wasn't quite convinced of her reasoning, then pulled her closer to him. He looked down at her with such an intense stare, that Meher found it hard to swallow. She became aware of the warmth of his body, separated from her by mere inches. Her heart thumped. And a never before experienced tingle ran through her body. She shook her head as if trying to shake off whatever she was feeling, then took a deep breath. "Preet...let me go...please...," she pleaded.
"You know you're really cute when you're nervous," smiled Preet.
"I'm not nervous!" argued Meher. "I just...I just want you to let go of me. Are you even listening to me?" she asked, when she found him staring silently at her. "Uff ho Preet! What are you looking at?"
Preet stepped closer to her. Lifting his free hand, he traced a slow exploring finger along the edge of her lower lip before coming to rest at the corner of her mouth. "You know..." he said. "I never realized just how much I enjoy hearing my name coming from your lips. Say my name again Meher."
"What? What nonsense!" said Meher, rolling her eyes.
She tried to step away from him, but he only pulled her closer. Too close for comfort, she decided. Confusion brought her brows together, before her eyes widened then closed, as his lips gently caressed along the length of her cheek, all the way to her ear.
"Say it," he whispered.
"Preet?" Ashlesha called out as she suddenly appeared at the door.
Damn! Thought Preet. He let Meher go and she quickly stepped away from him. Iss kabab mein haddi ne bhi abhi aana tha (This 3rd wheel had to show up now of all times).
"What are you 2 doing here?" asked Ashlesha.
"Woh...uh...we...uh...," stammered Meher.
"If you must know Ash, I was flirting with Meher," Preet said flatly.
Meher's mouth flew open.
"What?!" said Ashlesha. She studied Preet carefully, then broke out into a grin. "Oh...I get it. We're about to get married and she's my step cousin...so...you're pulling my leg with that saali aadhi ghar wali line (sister-in-law is like half a wife)...right?"
"Nahin...yeh wali toh mujhe puri ki puri hi chahiye (No...I want this one all to myself)," Preet muttered under his breath.
"What?!" cried Ashlesha.
"Ooo look, some more girls to flirt with. Yes!" Preet smiled mischievously and waved to three girls that had just walked into the ballroom. "Hi Gurpreet...Manpreet...Harpreet."
"Hi Preet!" the girls waved their hands and smiled at him.
"So many pretty girls and just one Preet to go around," sighed Preet. "Not fair."
"Ha ha! Very funny," said Ashlesha. "Now you listen here mister! There's only one Preet...and he's mine. Got it!" She looked back at Meher with narrowing eyes. "Viren is here. He's looking for you."
"Thanks," Meher said quietly. "I'll go see him right now."
"There's no need," said Ashlesha. "Gaurav and Nihal are here too. Everyone is headed this way."
"Okay then," Preet rubbed his hands. "Let's get this show on the road then."
A short while later...
Nihal and Veera mingled and chatted with guest and friends from both families that were gathered in the ballroom of the Juneja mansion.
"Hello. Testing 1-2-3," Preet spoke into the mike. He winked at Gaurav, who walked over to Veera, took her by the hand and led her over to where Preet was standing. "Thank you everyone for joining us tonight. But most of all, on behalf of my entire family and myself I'd like to thank Nihal for taking Veera off our hands."
Veera's mouth fell open, and the guests laughed. "Preet bhaiya...how could you?! Prem Bhaiya...dekhein na!" she complained.
"Preet...tu kabhi nahin sudray ga na (you'll never change)," sighed Prem.
"Okay okay...just kidding PB," laughed Preet. "Actually I'm going to miss my little chipkali (lizard) a lot. I remember when Ma first brought her home from the hospital...I was what...4 years old...and totally confused as to why everyone was giving her the special treatment. And then Ma introduced me to her. Preet she said...you're no longer the baby of the family. You're a big brother now. Promise me you'll always take care of my little gudiya (doll). She made me sit down next to her and carefully placed this little pink bundle in my lap. And when I reached out to touch her for the very first time, she took hold of my finger. In that very moment, I grew up. I wasn't just Preet any more. I was was Veera's big brother."
"Me too" smiled Gaurav. "I was an only child, but Preet and then Veera never let me feel that way."
"Of course that didn't mean we always got along," chuckled Preet.
"Right," agreed Gaurav. "Remember the time she ruined our project for the science fair. Or when she drew all over my math book with her crayons."
"The innumerable times she barged in on us while we were playing video games, because she wanted us to join her tea party instead," said Preet.
"Or the time you dared her to stick a peanut up her nose," added Gaurav.
"That was you?!" cried Kulraj. "Preet, how could you?!"
"I remember when Preet Bhaiya stuck chewing gum in my hair," said Veera. "Ma was so upset she grounded him for a week. Little did she know, I asked him to do it, because I wanted to get my hair cut short like my friends and she wasn't letting me. I remember him holding my hand when Ma died. And the countless hours we spent talking on the phone, when he went off to Canada and I stayed back here with Kul Di."
She hugged Preet. "I love you Bhaiya."
"Love you too Chipkali," Preet hugged her back.
Meher grew teary eyed at the exchange. God! Could anyone be a more perfect brother? How could Preet infuriate her so much one minute and then be this wonderful guy the very next!
"Kya yaar, completely senti kar diya tum donno ne (You both have made us all so emotional)," said Gaurav. He made an action as if was wiping away a tear form his eye. "Hey Preet, remember how we unwittingly introduced these 2 to each other? It was Veera's 16th birthday party and we had brought in Nihal to help beat up any guy who even looked in her direction. She wasn't allowed to dance with anyone except the 3 of us. Little did we know saale...that you were going to steal her away from us!"
"It wasn't easy and you know it," chuckled Nihal, as he rubbed his jaw line. "The first time I told Preet I was going to ask Veera out, he decked me. And then Gaurav decked me. With friends like these 2, who needs enemies?"
"And we're not going to let her go that easily today either," said Preet. "The groom's side has to first beat us in the Sangeet. Only then will we decide if you're worthy enough for my little chipkali..."
"Hey!" cried Veera.
"I mean sister," Preet quickly corrected himself.
"I won her over once Preet, I'm sure I can do it again," laughed Nihal, as the guests began to separate into the bride and groom's sides. "Gaurav...Preet doesn't have a choice, but are you sure you don't want to come over to our side?"
"I'm fine right where I am," replied Gaurav. "Maybe we can send Viru...I mean Viren over."
"Huhn?" Viren said in surprise. He had been standing quietly beside Meher until now.
"Good idea," said Preet. He pulled Viren away from Meher's side, winked at her then walked him over to Nihal. "You should have someone from our common "circle of friends on your side...just to be fair. You don't mind do you Viru?"
"Well, actually I'd rather...," tried Viren.
"Good, it's settled then," Preet interrupted him. "Okay Nihal, let's see what you've got."
The music began to play and the guests began clapping as groom's side sang: Ladki walo
Bride's side: Bolo Ladke walo
Groom's side: Ladki walo
Bride's side: Bolo Ladke walo
Groom's side: Hmmm...ladki tumhari kawari reh jaati
Ladki tumhari kawari reh jaati
Ji mano hamara ehsaan, ke ladke ne
Ke ladke ne haan kardi
Mano hamara ehsaan ke ladke ne haan kardi
Instead of responding the Junejas looked at each other and burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?" asked Nihal.
"Is that all you could come up with?" asked Preet.
"Come on Preet, you're supposed to humor us," said Nihal.
"Nothing doing," said Preet. "This is Veera's sangeet. And it's not going to be anything less than rocking. Come on guys. He nodded at his siblings then smiled at Gaurav. "Hit it."
{Click play on the music player twice for the song to play}
{The music started up again, while the guests began to clap and dance along}
Gaurav:9 baj gaye
Hum saj gaye
2 peg lage angreji
Preet: Ho...9 baj gaye
Hum saj gaye
2 peg lage angreji
Kulraj: Jo chad gayi
Toh ad gayi
Ye cheez badi hai crazy
Prem: Aaja thumko ki limit bada lain
Kulraj takes out money and waves it over Veera then throws it into the air:
Hai jaib mein jitney note udda dein
Preet and Kulraj run over to Nihal and dance around him:
Hum dheet hain jitney sweet hai utne...O bache!
All the Junejas sing, dance and clap:
Chal hand utha ke nache
Chal band baja ke nache
Chal hand utha ke nache
Chal hand utha ke nache
Prem and Herman stand together back to back and point to Nihal: Tu hoga bada hero, par hum bhi nahi kache
All the Junejas sing and dance:
Chal hand utha ke nache
Chal band baja ke nache
Chal hand utha ke nache
Chal hand utha ke nache
Preet runs over to Nihal and blows a party horn in his ear and then does the same to Viren, much to his annoyance.
Gaurav dances around Sam then takes her by the hand and twirls her around:
Ab rookne ka time nahi hai
Khul ke nachna crime nahi hai
Mike pakad ke aaj macha de...Hulla Hulla!
Preet dances around Ashlesha and Meher, purposely bumping into Meher's shoulder as passes in between the 2 girls. Ashlesha offers him her hand, he reaches out, but takes the hand of the girl standing next to her instead:
Ab rookne ka time nahi hai
Khul ke nachna crime nahi hai
Mike pakad ke aaj macha de...Hulla Hulla!
Ashlesha pushes the girl away from Preet and throws her arms around his neck instead:
Dil vil apne fake huay hain
Raahon ke do tek huay hain
Pakad ke finger tu pehnade challa challa
He winces and walks away from her
Prem dances around Heer and sings:
Nainoon se zara tu neat pila de
Herman sings to Maya:
Phir rhythm soniye beat hila de
All the Junejas come together and sing:
Hum desi jitney, dude bhi utne hain sache
Chal hand utha ke nach
Chal band baja ke nache
Chal hand utha ke nache
Chal hand utha ke nache
Kulraj and Heer stroll over to Nihal and sing:
Tu hoga bada hero, par hum bhi nahi kache
All the Junejas and bride's side sing and dance:
Chal hand utha ke nache
Chal band baja ke nache
Chal hand utha ke nache
Chal hand utha ke nache
Chal hand back hila ke...nache
Chal tang utha ke...nache
Chal aag laga ke...nache
Chal seat badha ke...nache
Chal pila pila ke...nache
Chal hila hila ke...nache
Oye fikar chod ke, sharam phad ke nache
As the song neared its end, Viren noticed Preet dancing closely around Meher. Too close for his liking. She in turn was laughing and enjoying herself just like any other guest. To a casual observer it was nothing out of the ordinary...just the bride's side enjoying the music and revelry. He would have thought so too, if it had been anyone other than Preet circling around Meher. It wasn't just the fact that she had kissed Preet that still bothered him. He could forgive that and chalk it up to it being and honest mistake on her end...but Preet. There was something about the way he behaved around Meher, the way he was always hanging around her, the way looked at her...that just didn't sit well with him. With a stern look on his face, he crossed the room and took the bewildered girl by the hand.
"Viren? What are you doing?" asked Meher.
"Making sure you know where you belong," said Viren. He gave Preet a glance sideways then pulled her back with him to the groom's side.
Preet took a step towards them, but Gaurav stopped him. "Let it go Preet. She's his fiance."
Preet put on a fake smile as Kulraj pulled him back into the dancing guests.
Chal hand utha ke nache
Chal band baja ke nache
Chal hand utha ke nache
Chal hand utha ke nache
Oh yeah
Later...
Preet walked out of the ballroom and headed down the hall towards the stairs leading to his room. He needed to cool off. Who does he think he is? he grumbled recalling how Viren had pulled Meher away from him. I was just dancing not running away with her. Don't worry Chaddi, that day isn't far away either.
As he continued down the hall, he saw his father come out of the study next to the library. He didn't think much of it until he neared the room himself. The door was open and he could hear some voices coming from it. He leaned over, glanced inside and saw Daljeet and Rishap Rampal. Great! frowned Preet. So they're the reason the Great Lalit Juneja wasn't present at his youngest daughter's sangeet function. No doubt they're here trying to convince Bauji to set a date for his and Ash's wedding. I can't let them see me. The last thing I need is for them to start pressuring me for a date. He was about to turn around and leave when he heard something that caught his attention.
"Well, what do you think?" Daljeet leaned over to her husband and spoke in a hushed voice.
"It's clear he's not ready to give us a date yet," sighed Rishap. "In fact, rather than confirming a wedding date, he wanted to know how soon we can forward the investment we promised him upon the engagement."
"So he's basically stalling just like we are," said Daljeet.
"Yes," said Rishap. "Frankly I don't think he can do much else. There's a limit to how much he can push his son."
"Damn that boy!" cried Daljeet. "And damn those stupid Junejas! And Ashlesha...that girl is incapable of seeing what is good for and what is not. She's setting up herself for destruction I tell you, and she'll take us with her if we don't do something fast. We're running out of time Rishap."
"I know," sighed Rishap. "I've got investors breathing down my neck left and right. I can hold them off for another 2 or 3 quarters...a year maximum, but not more than that. If we don't give them the return on investment they are expecting, our entire game will be up. You know very well we have no real assets."
"No," Daljeet shook her head. "We can't let it come to that. There has to be some way we can corner the Junejas. This marriage has to take place if we're to take over their holdings, and become truly legit."
"Hmm...maybe there is something we can do," said Rishap. "There is a contract Lalit Juneja has submitted a tender for. He wants it pretty badly. It's part of the reason he's pushing for us to invest. I have no interest in doing so, but I can recommend some investors to lend him some capital."
"So? How would that help us?" asked Daljeet.
"The company offering the contract is a dummy corporation owned by a subsidiary of one of our subsidiaries," smiled Rishap. "Lalit gets the contract...we get the money...we let the company collapse...and Lalit Juneja loses his entire investment. The investors will sue him for fraud and..."
"...and we'll conveniently step forward and dangle a carrot a.k.a his own money in front of him...in return for Preet and Ash's wedding," smiled Daljeet.
"Exactly," laughed Rishap.
"What if he traces the fraud back to us?" asked Daljeet.
"There are too many layers between that subsidiary and the Rampal Corporation. It will be a lengthy litigation process and take ages in and out of the court room to prove we had a hand in anything," said Rishap. "His son may be a well known corporate lawyer, but other than that, they really don't have the resources to fight back. I just have to make some phone calls and get the ball rolling."
"Wonderful!" smiled Daljeet.
"Shh! Keep your voice down," said Rishap.
Preet was furious. How dare they?! How dare the Rampals sit in his family's house and plot against them?! He would tell them he knew everything! He would never let them succeed! Preet was about to enter the study, then thought better of it. He didn't have any proof of the Rampals wrong doing. Even if he went to his father with what he over-heard, they would just deny it. It would be his word against theirs. What if his father accuses him of throwing accusations just to get out of the marriage to Ash? The Rampals would cover their tracks and change their tactics. His family would lose the element of surprise. Just then Preet saw his father heading back towards him. He quickly ran around the corner and plastered himself against the wall. The Rampals were plotting to take over the company! The tender Rishap was talking about...they had submitted it just last week. There had to be some way to rescind it. He had to talk to Prem Bhaiya right away!
Chapter 40 Preview: Sam and Gaurav suspect Viren of 2 timing Meher 😲
Link to: Chapter 40
Link to Table of Contents: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/136805557
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