Chapter 44 - A Night Out With Friends
Recap (because it's been so long 🤔 ): Sam and Gaurav discovered that Viren had a child with his previous girlfriend. A fact he had tried to concela from Meher. That combined with him having hit on Meher the night before leads her to break off their engagement.
Meher put down her fork and nervously tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. Her glance darted towards Preet, who was seated across the table from her. Uff! He was doing it again, staring at her with his lips upturned in the slightest of smile, turning her insides into a pile of mush. It wasn't going to be easy, but she decided to ignore him as best as she could and focus on the plate of food in front of her. That's when Sam sighed and leaned over to whisper in her ear.
"How sweet!" Sam whispered not too softly with a sly grin. "He can barely keep his eyes off you, you know."
Preet smiled and immediately looked away.
"Sam!" Meher hissed as she kicked her friend under the table.
"What?" Sam said innocently. "I was just saying..."
"I know what you were saying," blushed Meher. "Now stop!"
"Ahem!" Sam cleared her throat. "I was just saying...that this is real nice...the four of us out enjoying a nice evening together?" She picked up a spoon and took a bite of her food. "It seems like ages since we did something like this. I tell you Preet, if it wasn't for you I'd be stuck eating another one of Gaurav's home cooked meals."
"Hey!" Gaurav said with a pout. "I thought you liked my cooking."
"Oh...yeah...I do, but sometimes it can get a little...you know...boring. It's always refreshing to go out," smiled Sam. "And tonight we actually have something to celebrate." She put her hand on Meher's and gave her an affectionate squeeze. "Meher is finally free from that bore Viren Chadda!"
"Here here! I'll drink to that," grinned Gaurav as he raised his glass and took a sip from it.
"Yeah," smiled Preet. "And I can't thank you guys enough for what you did to make that happen."
"Well, it's not like we were going to sit on the sidelines and watch Meher get married to him," said Sam. "You're our best friends yaar, and even if Madam's tubelight took a while to go on, I knew you guys were meant to be from day one."
"I'm glad it's all behind me too," sighed Meher. "Thanks for convincing my Papa-ji to let me stay at your house Sam. All this time I've been so desperate to leave Delhi, and something or the other always held me back." She glanced shyly at Preet. "But now for the 1st time, I really want to stay."
"You're always welcome at my place," smiled Sam. "And considering your engagement with Viren is off and you and Preet are on...I thought it would become super awkward if you continued to stay with the Rampals. Now you and Preet can see each other without any problem."
"Now that's a great idea," said Preet.
"I thought you'd like it," chuckled Sam.
Preet watched Meher grow quiet. "A penny for your thoughts?" he asked.
"I'm just thinking about my Papa-ji," sighed Meher. "He took Kuljeet out tonight. He's going to break the news about my engagement over dinner. I hope she takes it well."
"The world runs on hope, but I wouldn't bet any money on the wicked witch from the east," scoffed Sam. "I'm sure she is going to throw a tantrum that would put a 2 year old to shame."
"Or maybe...considering what Viren did...she'll understand," said Meher. "She is after all my mother."
"Step-mother," Sam reminded her. "She's never cared about you before, I don't know why you expect her to suddenly do so now? Waise...what do you think...will she be more upset about your broken engagement or the fact that your father will insist on leaving the Rampal mansion?"
"Sam you're terrible," chuckled Meher.
"And you're too naive Meher," argued Sam. "You're too good. I still can't believe you actually slapped Viren."
"Why not?" asked Preet. "Considering what he did, I'd say he got what he deserved. In fact, I regret not having had the opportunity to deck him myself."
"Oh I completely agree she did the right thing," interrupted Sam. "It's just that...Meher is such a ...you know...goody-2-shoes. I didn't know she had it in her."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence Sam," Meher said sarcastically.
"Well it's true," argued Sam. "You remember when we were in 1st grade, and there was this bully named Gurinder from the 5th grade who kept picking on you. He stole your lunch every day for almost an entire month and you never said a word to anyone about it."
"So...," said Meher. "Maybe he had problems at home, or maybe he didn't have anyone to pack him a lunch."
"Come on Meher," cried Sam. "He was a bully."
"What happened?" asked Preet.
"One day I switched my lunch box with Meher's," said Sam. "My mom had packed me a chilli chicken sandwich...only when she wasn't looking, I made sure it was a lot more chilli than chicken. You should have seen the look on Gurinder's face when he took the 1st bite. There weren't enough water bottles he could snatch at recess to put the fire out in his mouth."
"That was kind of mean," giggled Meher.
"He deserved it," countered Sam. "But what does madam here do? She goes and apologizes to him and gives him her brand new pencil box."
"You what?" laughed Gaurav.
"Well...I felt bad for him," sighed Meher. "In any case he didn't bother me any more after that."
"See...that's just my point," said Sam. "You're just too nice Meher."
"And that's what I love most about her," smiled Preet. He gently placed his hand over Meher's.
"How sweet," grinned Sam.
"Sam!" hissed Meher. Her face turned red again as she pulled her hand away.
"Come on Sam, give your friend here a break," laughed Preet. "If she turns any redder the chef will mistake her for a cherry tomato and toss her into the salad." He got up and offered his hand to Meher. "Come on Cinderella, let's go dance."
"Ooo...dancing sounds like a nice idea," agreed Sam. She tried to get up, but Gaurav pulled her back down in her seat.
"Arey yaar...give those 2 some time alone," said Gaurav, as he pushed her plate in front of her. "So...is it my cooking or me that you find boring?"
Meanwhile...
Preet led Meher to an area of the restaurant where a few other couples were slow dancing to the song Raabta'.
"Tum bhi na Preet," said Meher, as he picked a spot as far away from their table as he could find, then slid his arm around her waist and pulled her into a dancing position.
"What? You don't want to dance?" asked Preet. "I thought you'd like to get away from Sam's incessant teasing."
"She wouldn't have been teasing me if it weren't for you," complained Meher.
"Me? What did I do?" asked Preet.
"You were staring at me," said Meher.
"Ah that! Well then, I'm guilty as charged. But I can't help it. I'm in love with you Meher," grinned Preet. "I happen to like looking at you."
"But did you have to hold my hand in front of Sam and Gaurav?" sighed Meher.
"So what? They're our best friends. Besides, you don't think they hold hands?" asked Preet.
"That's different," said Meher.
"How so?" asked Preet.
"They're in love," said Meher.
"So are we," said Preet.
"Yes but...they're...uh...they're engaged," said Meher. "And everyone knows it."
"Is that all?" said Preet. He turned to face the restaurant patrons. "Excuse me! Hello! Ladies and gentlemen...hope you're all enjoying your evening."
"Preet! What are you doing?" hissed Meher.
Preet ignored her and continued with his speech. "My mother used to say khushi bantne se badti hai (sharing your happiness with others increases it manifold)..."
"Preet?" whispered Meher.
"So tonight I want you all to share in our happiness," Preet went on. "This lovely young lady and I are getting married."
Meher's mouth fell open and her face turned red as a small round of applause spread through the room. She could almost imagine Sam grinning from ear saying How sweet!' A young man from a couple that had been dancing near by put his hand on Preet's shoulder and congratulated him and Meher, before taking his partner back to their table.
"I can't believe you just did that!" cried Meher.
"Oh come on Cinderella, stop being so uptight. Learn to live a little," chuckled Preet. He took her hand twirled her around then pulled her close into his arms.
"But Preet...what if you don't find anything on the Rampals...," Meher said worriedly. "What about Ashlesha and what about your father? Speaking of father...my Papa-Ji must be breaking the news about my broken engagement to Kuljeet just about now. God knows how she'll react. And Daljeet...she won't be happy when she finds out." She looked up at Preet. He was smiling quietly at her. "Are you even listening to me? Aren't you the least bit worried?"
"No, because you worry enough for the both of us," smiled Preet.
"But...," protested Meher.
"Shh...," Preet put a finger on her lips. "Meher, the whole point of taking you out tonight was so you would forget about everything that happened and relax a little. Now, I don't want to hear you complain about anything else. I just want to enjoy this moment...right here...right now...with you."
Meher smiled shyly as he pulled her closer to him. He was right. Why was she being such a worry wart and spoiling such a nice evening? She looked up at Preet. He was so confident everything would work out for them. And why wouldn't it? She was finally free. No more looking over her shoulder and worrying about Viren. If Bhagwan Ji had removed that obstacle, certainly He would clear up the rest. She began to relax and enjoy herself, and relish the feel of Preet's strong arms around her. She let her head rest against his chest. "Thanks Preet," she whispered.
"For what?" asked Preet.
"For being so patient with me," Meher looked up into his eyes and sighed.
"Well...you haven't always made it easy," admitted Preet. "But something in here..." He tapped his heart with his index finger. "...tells me you're worth it." Meher blushed as he leaned forward and placed his forehead against hers.
"How sweet," said Sam as she came up behind them.
Meher immediately pulled away from Preet.
"Sorry yaar," Gaurav grinned apologetically. "I couldn't keep her away any longer."
"It's okay," laughed Preet. "We were about to head back to the table anyway." Just then his phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket to attend the call. "Hey Heer Bhabi, what's up?"
"Preet...are you alright? The driver brought your car back from the mechanic, but you never came home. Where are you?" Heer asked worriedly.
"I'm sorry Heer Bhabi...I should have called you...I...uh...something important came up," said Preet. "Then I met up with some friends and we decided to hang out. You sound worried. Is everything alright?"
"I don't know," sighed Heer. "It's Bauji. He's in a really bad mood."
"That's nothing new. He probably saw himself in the mirror and discovered his hairline receded another inch," chuckled Preet. "Otherwise Bauji ko aaj meri itni yaad kyun aa rahi thi (Why was Bauji thinking so much about me today)?"
"I'm being serious here Preet!" cried Heer. "Daljeet Rampal and Ashlesha were here earlier."
"Oh...well that explains a lot," sighed Preet.
"Ever since they left Bauji has been asking about you repeatedly," explained Heer. "He wanted to know why you were out all last night...who you were with? When I told him Prem sent you to take care of an important business matter, he just exploded and accused me of covering up for you. And when you didn't show up for dinner, he just threw down the silverware and walked away without eating. He asked the driver to get the car out a short while ago, and then left."
"Where did he go?" asked Preet.
"Mujhe nahin pata (I don't know) Preet," said Heer. "Bus tum jaldi se ghar aa jao (Just come home asap)."
Meher looked at Preet questioningly as he put his phone away. "Is everything all right?"
"Uh...yeah, just Heer Bhabi worrying after me like a mother hen," Preet reassured her. "I hate to do this guys, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to leave."
"But we haven't even had dessert yet," said Sam.
"I know," smiled Preet. "But Bhabi asked me to come home right away. It's...uh...family matters." He turned to look at Meher. "I was hoping to see you home, but you can stay and finish your dinner with Sam and Gaurav if you like."
"No, that's okay...," said Meher.
"I have a better idea," Sam spoke up. "Why don't you drop Meher back to my house on your way back home? Gaurav and I will head on over there after finishing our dessert. You guys can have some time together that way."
"Sam you're a real gem," said Preet.
"That I am," chuckled Sam.
Later...
Preet pulled up to the front of Sam's house, then reluctantly looked over at Meher. So much had happened...all good thankfully...but now it was time for his least favorite part of the day...parting ways with Meher. He got out of the car, walked over to the passenger's side and opened the door for her. She smiled softly at him then exited the car. Both took slow, leisurely steps as the walked to the door.
"Well...here we are," said Preet as they reached the door.
"Yes," sighed Meher. "Here we are. Um Preet...thanks again for such a lovely evening. I wish it didn't..."
"...have to end," Preet finished her sentence. "Yeah...me too. But you know there is one good thing about the night ending."
"What?" asked Meher.
"Tomorrow will be here soon," Preet pointed out. "And that means we can see each other again tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that." He paused to admire the smile that had spread across her face, then took a deep breath and pointed upwards. "Wow, look at all those stars lighting up the sky. What a beautiful sight."
"Hmm," Meher smiled then motioned to the door. "Well, I guess I had better go inside."
"Meher wait!" said Preet. "What's the rush? Thodi dair batein karte hai na (let's talk for a while)."
"Batein (talk)?" asked Meher. "Okay...what do you want to talk about?"
"Um...It sure is quiet," Preet remarked looking towards the house. "The lights are all out too."
"Sam's father is out of town, and her mom had a kitty party to go to," explained Meher. "Papa- ji and Kuljeet are probably not back from dinner yet.
"Oh...well in that case, I'll stay here and keep you company until Sam gets here," offered Preet.
"It's okay," Meher shook her head. "I have a spare key." She fished through her purse, pulled out a key and unlocked the door.
"Even better...I'll come inside and keep you company." teased Preet.
"Didn't you have to get home?" smiled Meher. "Your Bauji is upset, remember?"
"Bauji is always upset with me," Preet shrugged his shoulders. "And if it's about me being late, then a few more minutes isn't going to make a difference." He slid his arm around Meher's waist, pulled her towards him, then leaned into the crook of her neck and inhaled deeply.
"Preet...," She giggled. "What are you doing?"
"Mmm...do you have any idea how good you always smell?" sighed Preet.
"What?" said Meher. "You've gone mad, you know that?"
"No, I'm serious," said Preet. "Here I'll show you..." He tried to lean into her again, but she pushed him away playfully.
"Go home Preet," Meher chuckled as she opened the door and stepped inside. "Heer Bhabi already called once, I don't her to worry or call again."
"But...," tried Preet.
"I'll see you tomorrow," insisted Meher. She didn't wait for him to respond and instead closed the door. She had only taken a few steps away, when there was a knock on the door. She walked back and opened it. No surprise, it was Preet.
"For you," he grinned holding out a rose. Meher's eyes grew wide when she saw the flower. "I saw it in the garden and thought you'd like it. In fact, there's a whole bush over there...I can get get you some more."
"No no Preet!" Meher shook her head. "Those are Lilly Chachee's prized roses, she'll be super upset if she finds them missing."
"Oops!" said Preet.
"I'll go put this one away where she won't find it. Let's just hope she doesn't keep count," Meher said worriedly. "Well...goodnight." Preet was about to say something, when she closed the door.
Meher had just reached the top of the stairs when she heard a knock on the front door. When she opened the door, she found Preet standing outside again. "What are you doing back here?" she asked.
"Dessert," smiled Preet. He held up 2 chocolate bars. "We missed dessert, and I remembered that I had some chocolate in the dashboard, so I thought I'd come back and share."
Meher shook her head. "Thanks," she said as she plucked the bars from his hand. "Now go home...please." She had just closed the door, when Preet knocked again. "What now?!" she cried.
"One of those was supposed to be for me," said Preet.
"Uff!" Meher cried as she handed him one of the chocolates.
"Meher wait!" Preet cried as she was about to close the door on him again.
"What is it Preet?" asked Meher.
"Well...I was just thinking...I brought you chocolates and a flower...," said Preet. "...and we had such a nice time tonight...how can we end the evening on such a dry note?"
"Dry note?" Meher said confused. "I don't understand...what exactly do you want?" She gasped as Preet took a step towards her and a sly grin appear on his face. "Wait a minute...," she said raising a finger at him. "...don't answer that."
"Oh come on Meher," protested Preet. "I've been on my best behavior since last night. Trust me, it wasn't easy, especially when I found you sleeping in my arms this morning...but...I was a good boy the entire time. I think I deserve a reward, don't you?"
"No," Meher said flatly.
"No?" Preet echoed her. "Come on Cinderella, all I'm asking for is a little goodnight kiss. What harm will that do? Nothing. In fact, it will tide me over until I see you tomorrow."
"You do realize that I slapped Viren last night, because he wanted the exact same thing," Meher reminded him.
"I'm not Viren," Preet pointed out.
"You're crazy!" cried Meher. "What if Sam and Gaurav show up? Or Mrs. Singh? Or my parents?"
"So you don't have a problem giving me a kiss...you're just afraid someone will show up...," said Preet.
"Yes...I mean no...I mean...," stammered Meher.
"I don't see anyone here, Preet waved his hand around him. "Come on Meher...just one kiss...so I won't have to take a cold shower before going to bed."
Meher's mouth flew open. "Kitne besharam ho tum Preet?"
"It's not my fault Meher," argued Preet. "You have no idea what you do to me." He took her hand and clasped it over his heart. "You're all I ever think about. Dharti Ma ki kasam."
"Go home Preet," sighed Meher as she pulled her hand back.
"Go home Preet?" He repeated after her.
"Yes," said Meher. "Go home."
"Fine!" Preet glared angrily at her. "Be that way."
"Preet wait...," Meher put a hand on his arm to stop him just as he turned to go. "Naraz ho (Are you upset)?"
Instead of answering, Preet folded his arms across his chest and frowned.
"Okay fine," sighed Meher. "A little goodnight kiss...on the cheek. Just don't leave in a bad mood."
Preet turned to her and smiled, then leaned over to present his cheek to her. As Meher moved forward to give him a quick peck on the cheek, he turned to face her and she wound up kissing him on the lips instead. "Uff Preet Juneja! Tum kitne buray ho (You're just awful)!" she cried. She pounded his chest lightly with her fists in protest, and he in turn pulled her into a warm hug.
"I suppose you're happy now?" Meher asked.
"Bauhat (very)," grinned Preet.
"To phir jao (then go)!" Meher said as she pushed him away.
"Okay okay...I'm going, I'm going," laughed Preet.
Meher shook her walked back inside the house. Preet as his antics, she thought as she climbed the stairs and headed to her room. She sniffed the rose he had given her, then placed it along with the chocolate bar on her dresser. She was so fortunate to have someone in her life who loved her so much. She removed the simple earrings and necklace she was wearing, picked up a towel and was heading for the washroom, when she heard a knock on the door again. Sam and her mom both had keys, so it couldn't be them. Papa-Ji was going to call when he was on his way. Preet! He must be back with something else up his sleeve. A mischievous smile appeared on her face, as she rushed to the washroom, filled a cup with cold water, then raced down the stairs. Cold shower huhn? She'd give him a cold shower! Doing her best to control her laughter, she quickly opened the front door and tossed the contents of the cup onto the face of the person standing outside.
"What the hell?!?" cried Lalit Juneja as the cold water splashed against his face.
Meher grew pale, when she found a very wet and angry looking Lalit Juneja standing before her.
So sorry for the long gap between updates.
Anyway, I hope you all found the chapter interesting. 😊
Please hit the like button and leave your feedback for me.
It would be greatly appreciated.
Links to lots of Meet scenes are on page 1, 5th post of this thread, so do check them out.
Take care and happy reading. 🤗
Chapter 45 Preview: Lalit confronts Meher
Link to: Chapter 45
Link to Table of Contents: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/136805557
Edited by Fatima_Q - 7 years ago
CID
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
