Chapter 66 - Ups and Downs
With a towel wrapped around her wet hair, Meher walked over to the window and peeped outside the curtains to check the weather outside. The sun was already beginning to shine brightly in the clear blue sky. She took a deep breath and smiled to herself. She loved bright sunny days. Something about them made her feel like everything was going to go well. She looked down and saw the vegetable vendors beginning to set up their carts. Her landlady Mrs. Duggal was watering her plants, while Mr. Duggal was heading out with the morning paper tucked under his arm. He and his small group of friends would sit at the tea stall nearby, discuss politics, and argue passionately over the state of the nation as if they were going to be running in the next general election.
It had been 3 weeks since she and Preet had moved to Ludhiana. Mr. and Mrs. Duggal's son's company had recently moved him to their Mumbai office, leaving the upper portion of their small home vacant. The place was tiny to say the least. A bedroom, sitting area, bath, and a small kitchen, but it was enough for them, and more importantly, it suited their minimal budget. The kindly old couple had agreed to let them move in with just the first month's rent.
Preet had started working part-time in a nearby sari shop. Flattering the ladies, and talking them into a sale seemed to come naturally to him. The owner however, complained that his customers spent more time flirting with him than buying his merchandise. In the evenings he'd work as a security guard at an office building. In between, he would busy himself looking for a suitable job in his own field. He hadn't found anything yet. She would see so little of him. It was hard, not to mention boring, so she had started tutoring children after school. It was a lot of work but between the two of them, they were sure they would be able to make ends meet.
A dog barking on the street below brought Meher back from her thoughts. Bansi the milkman was approaching the gate. Mrs. Duggal would soon be embroiled in an argument with him over the rates for his water-downed milk. Meher looked back towards Preet and smiled. He was still sprawled out on the bed fast asleep. She pulled the curtains back and let the sun's rays hit his eyes. It was cruel, she knew, but he had to get ready for work. Preet moaned and turned over to his side. She came over to the bed and sat down next to him.
"Preet," said Meher as she ran her fingers through his tousled hair. "Come on Preet. Time to wake up now, else you'll be late for work."
"It seems like I just went to sleep. How on earth did it become time to wake up already?" complained Preet.
"Well, I'm afraid it is," sighed Meher. "I've already showered, so the bathroom is all yours."
"I'm willing to forgo the shower today Meher...just let me sleep for 5 more minutes...please...," groaned Preet.
"You'll do no such thing Preet Juneja," Meher nudged him. When he tried to ignore her, she took hold of the ends of her wet hair and tickled his face with it. "Beside...it's your own fault for keeping us both up late last night."
"Ah yes...last night," Preet slowly opened his eyes and looked up at her with a soft smile. "Last night was incredible. I swear I saw stars."
"You and your stars," Meher shook her head. "The sun is out. It's the dawn of a new day...and..." She gasped as he suddenly tugged her forward making her land on his chest.
"We could have an incredible morning too," Preet whispered in her ear.
"Preet," giggled Meher. "Chodo mujhe (leave me)."
"Uff! Chodo mujhe...," whined Preet. "Two words that need to be permanently eradicated from your dictionary."
"Preet...mazak karna bas karo (stop joking)," Meher squirmed out of his arms. He tried to take hold of her again but she slid out of his reach and stood up. "I'm serious. You'll be late for work. You know how stingy Mr. Rathi is. He counts the time you put in at the sari shop down to the last minute. And we can't afford to come up short on next month's rent."
"Alright, alright," sighed Preet. He slowly sat up and watched her longingly as she headed for the kitchen. As she walked back towards him with a cup of coffee, he noted how the front of her robe had come undone. Probably from when he had pulled her into his arms. His gaze edged up to her breasts, so nicely outlined by the lace of the nighty she wore underneath. He had to leave all that and more, and go to work. It was unfair. Not just unfair...cruel.
"What are you smiling about?" she asked as he took the cup of coffee she handed him.
"I don't think you want to know," he grinned sheepishly.
"Matlab (meaning)?" asked Meher.
"Matlab...," sighed Preet as he swung his legs off the side of the bed. "I had better get ready."
A short while later...
Meher walked up to the dressing table, picked up her ring and slipped it onto her finger. Her hand reached down again for her mangal sutar but found nothing except an empty space. What the...? She looked down, and began to move things around searching for the precious necklace. Where was it? She could swear she had put it right here. She walked back to the washroom.
"Aaj mausam bada bayiman hai...bada...bayiman hai...aaj mausam." Preet hummed to himself as he lathered up his face before shaving. He moved to the side as Meher came up next to him and checked the medicine cabinet and the hooks next to it. Shaking her head, she walked to her bed and checked under the pillow, then under the small pile of clothes on the chair next to the bed. "Hey, I just remembered, I didn't get my good morning kiss yet," Preet complained as he came up from behind and hugged her.
"Not right now Preet," sighed Meher. "You still have shaving cream on your face."
"So?" said Preet.
"So, I don't want to get it on mine," Meher worked her way out of his arms, and went back to searching the dressing table.
"What are you looking for?" asked Preet.
"My mangal sutar," said Meher. "I took it off last night when we were..."
"When we were what?" grinned Preet.
"You know very well what," blushed Meher. "You said it was too prickly remember, so I took it off, and now I can't find it."
"So what?" Preet shrugged his shoulders. "It's just a necklace."
"Just a necklace?!" cried Meher. "Preet, woh mere suhag ki nishani hai (It's a symbol of our marriage)."
"Hey Cinderella," Preet walked up to her again. He slipped his arms around her waist, turned her around and looked longingly into her eyes. "Tumhara suhag yahan hai (your spouse is right here), I don't mind if you hang me around your neck."
"Preet...no...not the shaving cream," giggled Meher as he leaned in and rubbed his cheek against hers. He was about kiss her when someone called out her name. "Oh my God! Preet...I think that's Mrs. Duggal..."
"Yeh roz subah subah hamari good morning ko kharab karne ke liye kyun aa jati hain (Why does she show up every day to ruin our morning mood)?" sighed Preet.
"Meher! Where are you child?" Mrs. Duggal called out again.
"I'm coming Aunty Ji," Meher called out. "Preet...woh dekh lein gi (She'll see us)..."
"So what? Biwi ho tum meri (you're my wife)," said Preet.
"Uff ho! Chodo mujhe besharam (let me go, shameless)..." She smacked him on his arm, slipped out of his grip, then ran to meet their landlady at the door.
Preet waited until she left before taking the mangal sutar out from his pajama's pocket and smiling to himself.
Meanwhile...
"Good morning Aunty ji," Meher smiled. "Did you need something?"
"Mr. Duggal just left," explained Mrs. Duggal. "So, I thought I would come up and chat. Have you made tea yet?"
"Uh...no...I was just about to...but...," said Meher.
"Good...I'll help you," offered Mrs. Duggal. "We'll put in some ginger and cardamom, and make it nice and tasty. Oh my! Meher, my dear, what's that on your face?"
Meher suddenly remembered the shaving cream. "Uh...actually Aunty ji...Preet was getting ready...and..."
As if on cue, Preet popped up behind her. "Good morning Aunty ji," he grinned.
"Oh Preet...how are you son?" said Mrs. Duggal. Meher watched her eyes go from the shaving cream on his partially shaven face to that on her's. Her face turned red as the older woman mentally put two and two together. "I didn't realize you were still home. I'll come by later." She was about to leave, when she turned back as if remembering something. "I almost forgot to ask, did you enjoy yourselves last night?"
"Last night?" Preet asked in surprise as he wiped his face with a towel. "Uh...yes, but how...how did you know? Were we too loud? Meher, I told you you were being too loud."
"Me?!" blushed Meher. "What about you?!"
"What are you two talking about?" a bewildered Mrs. Duggal asked.
"What do you think we are talking about?" Preet asked cautiously.
"The ras malai I made last night," said Mrs. Duggal. "I sent up a bowl for you two remember? Did you enjoy it?"
"Oh that!" Meher sighed in relief. "It was great."
"Yeah...we licked the bowl clean, right Meher?" said Preet.
"Completely," nodded Meher. "Speaking of which, I'll go get your bowl for you." She rushed back inside and was soon back with the small bowl. "You'll have to give me the recipe."
"Sure," smiled Mrs. Duggal. Just then she noticed something dangling from Preet's pocket. "Meher, is that your mangal sutar?"
"What?" Meher asked in surprise. She looked down to where Mrs. Duggal was pointing.
"See what I have to put up with Aunty ji," teased Preet. "I've told her so many times...Meher...yeh hamari suhag ki nishani hai (this is a symbol of our marriage)...don't be so careless with it, but she continues to leave it here and there. Toh maine socha main hi isko sambhal loon (So I decided to take care of it)."
"Hai Rabba! Kitna sona munda hai (What a sweet boy)...tum isko itna kyun sata ti ho (why do you torture him so)?" Mrs. Duggal shook her head in disappointment. "Tsk tsk, very bad. I thought you were better than that my girl."
"Aunty Ji, I've been looking for it all morning. I...," she looked at Preet. He was smiling a little too much. "Yeh sab iski shararat hai (This is all his doing). He hid it from me on purpose."
"Why would I hide it?" asked Preet. "On the contrary, I thought for a change I'd wear it. I figured I should have something that shows I'm married too." Mrs. Duggal laughed out loud. "No I mean it," he insisted. "You don't know how many ladies are constantly hitting on me at the sari shop. It's the price I pay for being so smart, sexy, and handsome."
"Pagal (crazy)," chuckled Mrs. Duggal. "I'll see you later Meher."
As soon as the older woman left, Meher chased Preet back inside their residence and around the small 2 seater sofa in the living room. "Preet Juneja...how could you embarrass me like that in front of Mrs. Duggal?"
"Me? What did I do?" teased Preet.
"You made her think I was careless about something as precious as my mangal sutar!" fumed Meher. "And...what was all that talk about me being too loud last night? Imagine if she had figured out what you were talking about!"
"Well you were...Oh Preet! Oh Preet!" teased Preet.
"Hai Rabba Preet! Tum...tum kitne besharam ho gaye ho (Good Lord Preet, you have no absolutely no shame)! Just...give me back my mangal sutar!" She tried to take it back from him, but he held it above her head out of her reach.
"Come on Meher...you'll have to do better than that," laughed Preet, as she tried to take it from him again but missed.
"Oh yeah!" cried Meher. She caught him off guard by punching him lightly in the stomach.
On instinct, his arms came down to cover his stomach protectively. He fell backwards onto the sofa with a dramatic flair. "Ow!" He whined. "My poor ribs. They just got done healing. I think you may have bruised them again."
"Come on Preet," Meher rolled her eyes. "I didn't hit you that hard." He didn't answer. Instead, he leaned forward, and held onto his stomach with his head lowered. Was he just pretending to be in pain? She wondered. She hadn't really hit him that hard. Or had she? She placed a cautionary hand on his shoulder. "Preet? Are you...?"
"Gotcha!" He grinned suddenly and pulled her to him making her fall in his lap. Instantly his fingers were at her side tickling her mercilessly.
"No Preet!" she cried. "Stop! You know how I hate to be tickled!"
"And that's precisely why I'm doing it," said Preet.
"Ugh! You evil evil man!" cried Meher.
"Hoo-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha!" Preet let out an evil laugh. He tickled her some more and they were both soon rolling with laughter and out of breath. "Well that was a fun way to start our day."
Meher nodded and leaned against him as his arms came around her and held her in a tight embrace.
"You know I could hold you like this forever," sighed Preet.
"But you have to get to work right?" chuckled Meher.
"Right," said Preet. He let her go reluctantly. She stood up then offered him her hand and helped him up as well.
"You still have my mangal sutar," she reminded him.
"Ah yes...," he smiled. He held up the necklace. "Here, allow me." Meher turned her back to him and held her hair off her neck. He gently settled the necklace around her neck and fastened the catch in the back, then kissed her on her neck and then at the curve of her shoulder.
"I thought you had to get ready for work," giggled Meher.
"Ugh! Don't remind me," whined Preet.
"Okay then...tell me what you'd like me to make you for lunch." said Meher.
"Actually, I won't be coming home for lunch today," said Preet.
"What? Why not?" asked Meher. "Do they have a shipment coming in at the shop?"
"No, it's not the shop I'll be busy with. I have a job interview. In fact, I have two lined up this week and another one early next week," grinned Preet.
"Really Preet?" Meher's eyes grew wide in surprise. "That's wonderful."
"Yeah, I'll finally be able to do something in my own field," Preet said eagerly. He checked the time on his watch. "Listen Meher, I know we have to pay the rent soon, but I had to buy some business attire and get copies of my resume made. I have to look presentable for the interviews. Once I get the job, we'll have more than enough to pay off the rent and maybe even move out of here."
"Of course Preet," nodded Meher. "Everything will turn out just fine."
Later...
"Let's see...I've got my wallet and my file," said Preet. He picked up two ties and went to the kitchen. "Meher...which one do you think goes better with this shirt?"
"Mmm...this one, definitely," Meher pointed to the blue one. "Here, let me help you." He stood still as she carefully knotted it around his neck.
"Thanks," smiled Preet. "Now wish me luck."
"Just a minute Preet," said Meher. She picked up a bowl of yogurt and held a spoonful of it up to his mouth.
"What's this?" asked Preet.
"Dahi shakar (yogurt with sugar), smiled Meher. "It's supposed to be auspicious."
"Meher, you know I don't believe in all that," said Preet.
"I know, but I do, so just humor me okay," said Meher.
"Fine," chuckled Preet. "But you know you're all the luck I really need." He quickly downed the spoonful of the sweetened yogurt.
"All the best," smiled Meher.
"Thanks," said Preet. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and headed down the stairs. "Hey Meher!" he called out midway through his descent.
"What happened?" asked Meher as she looked down from the top of the stairs.
"Nothing," smiled Preet. "I just wanted to see your face one more time."
Two weeks later...
Meher absentmindedly ran a finger against the gold chain around her neck as she scanned the notebook in her lap for errors. A small group of children sat around her with their heads buried in their notebooks, their pencils scribbling out the answers to their homework. She looked over at the clock on the wall. Preet wouldn't be home for another two hours. That meant another two hours before she found out how his latest interview went. He had been to several interviews already, but nothing had panned out as of yet. She silently prayed today would be different.
"Knock knock!" smiled Mrs. Duggal.
"Aunty Ji?" Meher handed the notebook she had been checking back to a little girl, then went to meet her landlady at the door.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you, my dear," said Mrs. Duggal. "But I made some kadi. I thought you and that smart husband of yours would like some."
"That's very kind of you Aunty Ji," smiled Meher. She gave out some instructions to the children, then turned back to her visitor. "Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?"
"Don't mind if I do," nodded Mrs. Duggal. She followed Meher into the small kitchen area and sat down on a chair. "You've got a nice little study group going here."
"Yes," smiled Meher. "I used to tutor some of these children before while I lived in Ludhiana. I'm happy to have them back."
"I suppose every little bit helps," remarked Mrs. Duggal. "How's Preet doing with his job search?"
"Uh...he's still looking," said Meher. She set the water to boil on the stove and took out the tea and sugar. "I'm sure he'll find something soon."
"I hope so," sighed Mrs. Duggal. "Look Meher, I hate to be the spoiled sport here, but you do realize that you guys are late with this month's rent. Believe me child if it were up to me, I'd be more lenient, but Mr. Duggal...he's been nagging me to collect it from you."
"Aunty Ji, we had every intention to pay the rent on time," sighed Meher. "We just had some unexpected expenditures come up. One more week and I promise we'll have the rent money for you."
Two weeks later...
Preet sat outside his flat holding his file in his hand. He glared angrily at the lock on the door. Where the hell was Meher? Just then he spotted her coming up the stairs. "I've been sitting here for over an hour. Where were you?!" he demanded.
Meher was taken aback at the tone of his voice. "I'm sorry Preet. I didn't realize you'd be home so soon. I went to buy some vegetables for dinner."
"You could have left the key with someone," grumbled Preet.
"Who? Mrs. Duggal?" asked Meher. "And give her the opportunity to ask us for the rent again?"
"Look I'm tired enough as it is," replied Preet. "I don't want to argue with you. Just open the door and let me in."
"Fine," said Meher. She unlocked the door, stomped inside, then headed to the kitchen and began to empty her small sack of groceries. What was the matter with Preet? Why did he have to be such a sourpuss? He had a bad day, but her day hadn't been so great either. Let him sit and sulk. She wasn't going to talk to him. In fact, she wasn't going to make dinner either. That would teach him a lesson. She looked over at Preet and saw him rubbing his temples with his hand. Oh dear, things must really have not gone well. "I thought you had an interview," she said quietly. "I'm guessing it didn't go as you expected."
"Nothing is going as I expected," complained Preet. He loosened his tie, took it off and tossed it to one side, then plopped down on the sofa and passed his hands over his face.
"So you decided to take it out on me?" Meher leaned against frame of the kitchen door with her arms folded in front of her.
Preet looked up at her apologetically. "I'm sorry Meher. I didn't mean to take out my frustration on you."
"Paani (water)," Meher walked over to him and handed him a glass of cold water. "Want to talk about it?" she asked as she sat down next to him.
"That's the fifth interview I've been to," sighed Preet. "I don't think it's going to work out here either."
"It's all right Preet," Meher reassured him. "You've got another interview lined up don't you?"
"What's the point?" Preet shrugged his shoulder. "Everyone has the same thing to say. You've got an MBA? Great! You seem like the perfect candidate for the job. Then they look at my previous experience, and an even closer look at my name...Preet...Juneja. That turns on a tube light. Wait a minute, are you by any chance one of the Junejas? The Delhi Junejas? The Juneja Enterprises Juneja? When I tell them Lalit Juneja is my father, they become less interested in me and more interested in how I can secure some sort of connection or favor for them from my dad. You know Meher, I've only ever worked for my dad's company before. I'm only now beginning to realize how difficult it is for an ordinary person to get a good job without a bribe or connections. Right now, I don't have either. I feel like a complete failure."
"You're not a failure Preet," Meher placed a comforting hand on his arm. "Be patient. Something will turn up, I know it will."
"Yeah, well...I wouldn't hold my breath," sighed Preet.
"Preet, remember you said you wanted to start your own consulting firm?" said Meher. "You even showed me the perfect office space for rent. Why don't you just go for that?"
"How?" said Preet. "I'd need money to book that office space. I'd also need to get a computer, a phone, a fax machine, and a secretary to begin with at least. We don't have money to pay the rent, where would I get the capital for a startup?" He looked down at his shirt and frowned. "I've already thrown our entire budget out of whack by buying these stupid clothes to wear on these stupid job interviews and nothing panned out."
"Maybe you could work from home for the time being," suggested Meher.
"I can't have client meetings here. And what about the kids that come over for tuition?" Preet reminded her. "How would it look if I make calls while children ask for homework help in the background? Looks like I'll be stuck working at the sari shop until God knows when."
"You're just being pessimistic because you're tired and hungry," smiled Meher. "Why don't you go freshen up and I'll get dinner started. You'll feel a lot better after you eat."
"Maybe you're right," Preet gave her a weak smile. "What's for dinner?"
"Tinday," said Meher.
"Again?" sighed Preet.
"I thought you liked tinday," said Meher.
"Yes, but not three nights in a row," complained Preet.
"Sorry, but...," began Meher.
"...they were in our budget," Preet finished her sentence. He had just gotten up, when his phone rang. "Hey PB, what's up?" he answered the call. "Really?! That's great! How's Heer Bhabi doing? Chahat must be over the moon. Tell her I miss her too. That's a great name. I'm so happy for you guys. Yes...Meher is fine. I'll tell her too. She'll be so happy. I know. I wish we could be there too. Yes PB, we're both fine. No no, we don't need anything. Just give Heer Bhabi our love. And give the little guy a big hug from his Preet Chachu."
"Did Heer Didi have the baby?" Meher asked excitedly as he put the phone away.
Preet nodded and gave her a small smile. "It's a beautiful, healthy, baby boy. Seven pounds six ounces." Just then his phone beeped. "Looks like PB just texted me the photos. They've named him Prateek."
"That's wonderful Preet," smiled Meher. She took the phone from him and scanned through the photos. "Look how happy Chahat looks holding the new baby."
"Yeah...everything is just wonderful," sighed Preet.
Meher watched as he slowly turned and went to the bedroom to change. He would never admit it to her, but he missed his family. If only she could do something to make him feel better.
Hope you all enjoyed the update. 😛
Please do hit the like button and leave me some feedback.
Credit: The morning mangal sutar scene is inspired by the movie Saathiya.
Chapter 67: Meher tries to cheer Preet up
Link to: Chapter 67
Link to Table of Contents: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/136805557
Edited by Fatima_Q - 6 years ago
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