Chapter 48 - Tamasha
"Let me see that!" cried Viren as he jumped out of his seat and grabbed hold of Meher's hands. His face grew red with anger, when he saw Preet's name written on them. "How the hell did this happen?!" he demanded.
"I...I don't know," Meher stammered.
"How is that possible?" cried Viren. "The mendhi was being applied to your hand!"
"I said I don't know," insisted Meher. "I'm as surprised as you are."
"You're lying," said Viren.
"Viren beta, there are so many guests here," his mother hissed under her breath. "Tamasha mat khada karo (don't create a scene)."
"Hmph! Tamasha toh Meher ne khada kiya hai (Meher's the one who has created a scene)," said Ashlesha.
"I'm telling you, I don't know how it happened," said Meher.
"So what are you implying?" asked Ashlesha. "The mendhi formulated those letters on its own."
"Or maybe Preet paid off the mendhi artist," said Viren. "I wouldn't put it past him."
Ashlesha frowned at his words, but she couldn't refute his claim either. She had to find out from Preet herself. She quickly headed out the hall after him.
"Oh my Rabs! Why isn't Balraj back from the airport yet? Um...uh...don't worry Viren, we'll wash everything off right now," suggested Kuljeet.
"Oh I'll wash it off alright," Viren said. The guests murmured to each other in surprise as he pulled Meher to her feet and dragged her out the hall.
"Viren! Stop!" protested Sam, as she tried to stop him. "Where are you taking her?"
"Not a word out of you!" cried Viren. "This is none of your business!"
"If it concerns Meher, then I'm going to make it my business," Sam shot back. She tried to take Meher's hand from his, but Viren pushed her out of the way and continued to drag Meher along with him. Gaurav caught Sam as she fell back. Both raced after Viren and Meher, and followed them to the washroom. Before they could enter, however, Viren slammed the door shut and locked it from the inside. Sam banged on the door, but Viren refused to open it.
"Gaurav we have to do something!" cried Sam. "He's so angry. What if he hurts her?"
Gaurav rammed his shoulder against the door and pounded on it, but there was no response. He put his hands on Sam's shoulders to calm her down. "Sam relax. Everything will be okay," he reassured her. "I'll go see if I can find a staff member of this venue and get them to unlock the door."
Sam nodded as Gaurav rushed off, then began to pace nervously outside the door.
Meanwhile...inside the washroom...
"Pagal ho gaye ho kya (Have you gone mad)?!" cried Meher. She rubbed her wrists, where Viren had held on to her so tightly.
"Yes, I've gone mad!" cried Viren. He grabbed her hands again, put them under hot water and rubbed the mendhi off them roughly. When that didn't work, he looked around and found a pumice stone, and began to rub it against her palms. "How else did you expect me to react? How do you think any sane man would react?"
"Viren stop!" Meher cried as she tried to break free from his grip. "You're hurting me!" She cried out in pain as her skin began to crack under the rough treatment she was getting.
Meanwhile...
Preet had just sat in his car, when the passenger side door swung open and Ashlesha got inside.
"We came here together, remember? Where did you think you were going without me?" demanded Ashlesha.
Preet rolled his eyes. "I'm going straight home Ash. You can call yourself a cab to take you home."
"Oh no you don't," said Ashlesha. "You're not getting rid of me that easily. If you can't drop me home, we can always go back to your place. I'm sure your father will be more than happy to arrange a ride home for me."
Preet gave her a look full of contempt, but she ignored him. Shaking his head, he started the car and started the drive home. They drove in silence for sometime. Preet could tell Ashlesha was upset. She was literally shooting daggers at him with her eyes. But as long as she remained quiet, he was happy to ignore her.
"We need to talk," Ashlesha finally spoke up.
"I'm not in the mood Ash," said Preet.
"You're never in the mood!" cried Ashlesha. "It's all because of Meher isn't it?"
"Don't drag her into this!" warned Preet.
"Wow Preet! So much emotion for someone who didn't think twice before stomping all over your heart," Ashlesha chided him. "I guess Viren was right, you did pay the mendhi artist."
"What are you talking about?" asked Preet.
"As if you don't know!" scoffed Ashlesha. "Meher had your name written on her hand instead of Viren's."
"What?!" Preet said in surprise. Just then the phone rang. It was Gaurav. Preet answered it immediately.
"Preet, there's a problem," said Gaurav. He explained to him about Viren exploding at Meher because the mendhi artist had written the wrong name on her hand. "He thinks she did it on purpose. He's locked up in the bathroom with her. I think she was crying."
"Well get her out!" cried Preet.
"I'm trying," said Gaurav. "But I think you should come back."
"I'm on my way," said Preet. He hung up and began to turn his car around.
"Where are we going?" asked Ashlesha.
"Back to the marriage hall," said Preet. "Meher's in trouble."
"Good," said Ashlesha. "She deserves whatever is coming to her. I mean the nerve of her, having your name written on her hand! I hope Viren rips her arms off!"
"Shut up Ash!" said Preet. "Just shut your mouth!"
"No I won't!" cried Ashlesha. "And I won't let you go back to her either!" She grabbed onto the steering wheel and tried to take control of it from Preet.
"Are you crazy?!" cried Preet. "You'll get us both killed!" But Ashlesha wasn't listening. Suddenly a car appeared in their path. Preet tried to take back control of the steering in order to avoid hitting the oncoming vehicle. His car swerved off the road and ran straight into a tree. The impact compressed the front of the car, and smoke began to billow out from it.
The driver of the other car stopped and rushed over to check on Preet and Ashlesha. "Hey, are you guys okay?"
Preet's head had hit the steering wheel on impact, and it now hurt something awful. He reached up to touch his forehead and saw blood on his fingertips. He looked over to Ashlesha. She was unconscious. "I think...we need help," whispered Preet.
Meanwhile...
"Viren! Viren stop it!" cried Meher. She pushed him away with all her might and checked her hands. They had started to bleed.
With clenched fists, Viren took an angry step towards her. "I've had enough Meher! Now you listen to me carefully. No more delays, no more ceremonies, and no more meddling of your friends! I'm calling the pandit and telling him there's a change in plans. I don't care if I have to carry you kicking and screaming to the mandap, but we're getting married right now, and that's final!"
He stormed out of the washroom only to run into Sam, Gaurav, and Kuljeet.
"Where's Meher?!" demanded Sam. "What have you done to her?"
Viren ignored her questions and addressed Kuljeet instead. "Mrs. Maan, I suggest you contact your husband and tell him to get back here right away. As soon as I can arrange for a pandit, Meher and I are getting married...tonight."
Kuljeet's mouth fell open in surprise as Viren walked away. "Oh my Rabs, what on earth is going on here?"
Sam went inside the washroom and brought Meher out with a protective arm around her shoulders. "Her hands are bleeding," she said.
A short while later...
Gaurav stood by the door of the dressing room above the main hall, watching Kuljeet pace the floor worriedly. Sam sat next to Meher examining her hands carefully.
"O my Rabs! Meher, your father is on his way back. I told him to stop by Sam's house and pick up your wedding dress on the way over," said Kuljeet. "The mandap was being readied for tomorrow, but Viren wants everything done tonight! Uff! I hate changing things at such short notice."
"Is that all you care about?" Sam said incredulously. "Don't you care at all about how he treated Meher? The nerve of him! I tell you, if he hadn't locked that door, I would have gone inside and given him one...Pow! Right in the kisser."
Meher smiled appreciatively at her friend.
"You think this is funny?" Kuljeet frowned at her. "Look how she's talking about your future husband, and all you can do is laugh. This is all your fault, you know." She pointed an accusing finger at Meher. "You got another man's name printed on your hand the day before your wedding. Any self-respecting man would have reacted the same way Viren did. How could you let such a stupid thing happen?"
"I already told you, I don't know how Preet's name got on my hand," sighed Meher.
"Well, I don't blame Viren one bit for being angry," said Kuljeet.
"Well I do," said Sam. "And I think you should call off the wedding too."
"Ack! Meher will do no such thing!" cried Kuljeet. "And you young lady will stop putting such crazy ideas in her head. Come, help me get her ready."
Sam shook her head and looked at Meher's hands. "I think we should put something on them first. There is a pharmacy nearby. I'll go get some antibiotic ointment and gauze for you."
"Sam, you don't have to," smiled Meher. "I'm fine, really,"
"No you're not," said Sam. She put a reassuring hand on her best friend's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll be back before your dad gets back here with your dress."
Gaurav followed Sam out of the dressing room. "Sam, I'll go with you," he offered.
"No Gaurav, I need you stay here and watch over Meher," said Sam. "And if Viren tries anything again...just deck him."
"With pleasure captain," grinned Gaurav.
A short while later...
Sam stepped out of her car, walked into a pharmacy, and gave the man working behind the counter a small list of items she needed. She paid for her purchases and was heading back to her car, when a car passed by her. What? She thought. I could swear Preet was in that car. She watched as the car pull into the hospital across the street. She quickly got in her own car and asked the driver to follow the other vehicle. Her suspicions were confirmed when she reached the hospital and saw Preet and Ashlesha being helped inside. Oh my God, what are they doing here?
She quickly made her way inside the hospital and made an inquiry at the nurse's desk. "Hi, I think my friends were just brought in," she said to a young nurse. "Preet Juneja and Ashlesha Rampal...are they hurt?"
"Ah yes," the nurse nodded. "Mr. Juneja is in room 102. The doctor is still examining your other friend."
"Thanks," said Sam. She headed straight for room 102. Preet was sitting on the examining table. A nurse was bandaging him.
"I'm telling you I'm alright," whined Preet. "You have to let me go. I have to get back to..."
"Preet?" said Sam.
"Sam, what are you doing here?" Preet asked in surprise.
"Never mind that," said Sam. "Are you alright?"
"He has a small laceration above his right eye," the nurse bandaging him up explained. Other than that he'll live. And it's a good thing too, because he's in an awful hurry to go somewhere." She finished her work then made some notes on her clipboard. "I'll go see if the doctor has finished examining your companion, as soon as he's done, you'll both be free to go."
"Thanks," said Preet. He waited until she left before speaking to Sam. "Is Meher alright? Gaurav called and said there..."
"Oh yeah...there was a big commotion after you left," sighed Sam. "Meher's fine, but we've got a big problem on our hands Preet. Viren want to get married tonight."
The news hit Preet like a bullet.
"You have to do something," said Sam.
"I'd love to do something Sam, but your friend keeps telling me to take hike," said Preet. "If she wants to marry Viren...tonight or tomorrow...there's nothing I can do to stop her that I haven't already tried."
"I just don't understand what's wrong with Meher," sighed Sam. "She's miserable, yet she's going ahead with this wedding. There has to be a reason behind this."
"Yeah well, I wish I knew what it was," said Preet. "I mean, trying to get anything out of Meher is like banging your head against a brick wall. She's not budging an inch on this."
Just then the doctor walked into the room. "Mr. Juneja, your fiance has regained consciousness," said the doctor. "You may see her now. I'll have the discharge summary ready for you 2 shortly."
"Thanks doctor," said Preet.
The doctor was about to leave when he turned back as if remembering something. "Oh and Mr. Juneja, you need not worry, the baby is just fine."
"What?!?" Preet and Sam cried in unison.
Sam watched the doctor leave the room then spoke up. "Are my ears ringing or did you just hear what I heard? Preet?" She looked in his direction and saw him clench his fists into tight balls as his faced turned red with anger. He took a step towards the door but she quickly stood before him and blocked his movement.
Preet looked down at Sam and frowned. "Get out of my way Sam!"
Sam shook her head. "Now Preet, I know you're angry. I am too. But...but we've got to approach Ash in a calm and rational manner."
"Calm and rational my foot!" cried Preet. "I'm going to kill her!" He pushed Sam out of the way and headed out the door. Sam raced after him.
Moments later...
A nurse helped Ashlesha into an upright position. "Hand me my purse, will you?" said Ashlesha. The nurse did as she was asked. Ashlesha fished around in her purse and pulled out a crisp 2000 rupee note. "Here," she said. "Tip."
"Ah, that's not necessary, Ms. Rampal," the nurse shook her head. "I was just doing my job."
"Oh God, go on and take it," Ashlesha rolled her eyes. "Buy yourself some sweets on the way home."
The nurse looked around to make sure no one was looking then quickly took the money and tucked it away in her pocket. "If you insist. Uh...is there anything else I can do for you Ms. Rampal? Someone I can call on your behalf? Your mother perhaps?"
"No!" cried Ashlesha. "Don't call anyone, especially not my mom! Uh...I mean, I'm alright aren't I? I don't wish to worry her for no reason. Besides, my fiance is with me, you know, Preet. Preet Juneja. Where is he? And how soon can we get out of this God forsaken place?"
"I'll see if the doctor has signed your discharge papers," smiled the nurse.
"Ah yes...please do," said Ashlesha as she held her head with her hand. "There is something about hospitals that just doesn't agree with me. I think it's the smell."
Just then Preet rushed into the room.
"Well well, speak of the devil," chuckled Ashlesha. She nodded at the nurse, who gave her a slight nod and left the room. "I was just asking the nurse where you were. I bet your dad is going to kill you for totaling the car. I could let you rot. I mean, it was all your fault, but I'm not going to. You're my fiance after all. Besides, no one got hurt. We really should get our stories together about the accident though..." She frowned as Sam entered the room. "What is she doing here? Let me guess, the media got word of our accident, and Meher ki chamchi decided to show up and spy on us, right? What are you going to do Sam, go back and report to Meher that Preet is alright? She's supposed to be getting married to another man, yet she still has her eyes set on my fiance! That shameless girl!"
"Shut up Ash!" Preet cried as he raised a warning finger at Ashlesha. "Not a word out of you about Meher!"
"Why?!" cried Ashlesha. "Why can't I say anything about Meher? That girl is has become a thorne in my side. She's the only thing standing between you, me and our happiness."
"Stop lying to yourself Ash!" Preet shot back. "You and I are never going to be married! I wouldn't marry you if you were the last woman on earth! But you're so delusional you're actually beginning to believe your own lies."
"You, you can't do this to me Preet!" fumed Ashlesha. "I'll...I'll talk to your father. I'll tell him how you were fawning over Meher at the party. I'll tell him that when I got angry at you over this, you tried to kill us both by ramming your car into a tree."
"Go ahead," Preet shrugged his shoulders. "In fact, you can call him from my phone." He pulled his phone out and offered it to Ashlesha.
Ashlesha was surprised. She grabbed the phone from his hand and held her finger over it threateningly, ready to dial Lalit Juneja's number. "Don't think I won't do it," she warned.
"Oh no absolutely...go ahead and call him," insisted Preet. "And while you're at it don't forget to mention that the baby is perfectly alright."
"Right...," Ashlesha nodded then stopped mid-sentence. "Uh...baby? Wh...wha...what baby?"
"You can stop pretending," said Sam. "We know you're pregnant."
"I...I don't know what you're talking about?" said Ashlesha. "And I'm not going to stand here and let you make up lies about me."
"The doctor told us," Preet said flatly. "What he didn't tell us of course was whose baby it is, because it certainly isn't mine."
Ashlesha's eyes darted here and there as if she was trying to think her way out of her sticky situation. "P...P...Preet...please give me a chance to explain," she stammered.
"You're damn right you're going to have to explain things!" Preet said through gritted teeth. Ashlesha leaned back as he loomed over her angrily. "You know all this time I thought you were a typical spoiled brat. A dimwit being used as a pawn in her parents business deal. But no. You were even 2 steps ahead of them. Or was this part of their plan too?" He let out a frustrated chuckle. "You know Heer Bhabi told me about seeing you at her doctor's office. I didn't think much of it at the time, but she was right to suspect something was wrong. How much longer were you guys going to wait until you dropped this bomb on me and my family? And Meher...you were perfectly willing to watch her be married off to a guy she can barely stand." Preet looked down at Ashlesha with eyes as cold as ice. "I swear Ash, if you were a guy, I'd beat the crap out of you and smile while I did it."
"I'm sorry," sobbed Ashlesha. "I felt trapped! I didn't know what else to. Preet please I beg of you! You can't tell anyone about this. No one knows. Not even my parents. I...I didn't mean to hurt anyone. I was just trying to buy some time until I got my life straightened out. If my parents find out I'm pregnant...they'll kill me."
"And why should I care about that?" asked Preet.
"Because...this news would throw a serious wrench in their plans for your family's business," said Ashelsha. "Plans I can tell you all about. Please..."
Preet and Sam exchanged looks. "This had better be good," said Preet as he folded his arms across his chest. "And if you try to lie even once..."
"I won't," promised Ashlesha.
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 49 Preview: Preet learns the extent of the Rampals' fraud 😲
Link to: Chapter 49
Link to Table of Contents: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/136805557
Edited by Fatima_Q - 7 years ago
Book Talk
Cricket
