16. Past
“What time is it?” She asked rubbing her eyes as she nudged her husband, who was busy checking mails in his mobile.
“Ah you’re finally awake” He said placing his mobile on bed side table and rolling on top of her.
“I don’t want to wake up.” She complained trying to push him off. After a silly battle of trying to gain control and rolling over, they finally settled with her on top resting her head on his chest and him playing with her hair.
“So what were you saying last night?” He teased her.
The party ended quite late and by the time they cleared everything, she got too drowsy and fell asleep as soon as she hit bed.
“I’m too exhausted to recall anything.” She didn’t bother to think.
“What will I do with you Heer!!! By the way it’s 1:00pm.” He knew that would be enough to wake her up as she has an appointment at 2:00pm.
“Are you serious? Why didn’t you wake me up then?” She said trying to get up.
“See that woke you up. It’s 12:00pm.” He said pulling her down.
“Kripa has booked us in for hair appointment at 2:00pm. I need to get ready.” She was trying to check how far the salon was and if she they would be able to walk.
“Don’t worry I’ll drop you” He assured her.
“Can you do pick up as well? Please Prem” She pleaded as he was being so generous.
“Well that depends on” Before he could continue, she kissed him.
“I was about to say traffic but this would do as well” He said as they settled.
Hearing noises from the kitchen, they realised the other couple was awake as well and dragged themselves out.
----
As they reached the venue to attend his friends' reception, Heer tightly grasped Prem’s hand. Understanding her nervousness, Prem comforted her with his smile. It was the first time she went out with him as his wife or for others as his fiance.
Angad and Prem went to meet their batch mates while Kripa and Heer made their way towards the table assigned.
Kunal was already seated there and was happy to see them.
“You made it finally. I was feeling so bored.” He said.
“It’s the traffic.” Kripa told him how busy the roads were as they settled.
“Don’t lie. I got live updates on how long you were taking to get ready.” He tried to tease her.
“Let’s find you someone tonight so next time you’ll know as well just how long it takes.” She retorted.
“No thanks.. I’m happy” He didn’t want to drag that discussion further as it was harmful for him.
“It was so much fun last night” He complimented Heer on food and how nice it was to meet her friends as well.
“Friends or Ishita in particular ?” Kripa decided to pull his leg seeing his mobile buzz with a message from her.
“Chill.. she was just thanking me for dropping her last night.” He replied.
>>> Before they could tease him further, Sanjana dropped by their table to greet them.
“Congratulations Heer... I didn’t realise you guys were together then...” She said recollecting meeting them on Preet’s graduation.
“Thanks..” Heer just smiled not knowing what to add on to that.
“It’s so nice to see Prem happy though...” Sanjana added and Heer could clearly see Kripa and Kunals’ discomfort.
“Excuse me but I’ve to steal her for sometime” Prem walked in to take Heer to meet some friends. Sanjana also left to join her table.
Prem held her hand and kissed on it.
“I know I’ve said it already but I can’t seem to take my eyes off you today” He whispered in her ear.
“You don’t look too bad yourself” She said flirting back a bit.
They greeted the newly weds and chatted for a bit. While walking back, some of Prem’s friends caught up and she spoke with them. She made her way back to the table as Prem headed to washroom.
She could suddenly feel attention on her from tables near by theirs mostly from Prem’s batch mates. She noticed a couple at their table with their backs facing her. Kripa and Kunal were a bit tense and as they saw her coming it seemed to worsen.
“What’s wrong?” She whispered in Kripa’s ear as she settled next to her. There was no answer as Kripa was busy looking at someone. Following Kripa’s gaze, she saw the woman sat next to her.
The couple looked a bit uncomfortable with the attention on them but were secretly holding hands to comfort each other which Heer didn’t miss. They look so perfect together, she thought not understanding all the unwanted attention on their table.
Heer smiled at them. They were right next to her so she decided to talk.
“Were you in same college as well?” She asked deciding to break the silence.
The couple seemed a bit surprised but smiled and said
“Yes I was... Hi I’m Arohi and this is my husband Arjun.” Arohi introduced herself.
“Hi I’m Heer. Prem’s fiancé.” She said while Kripa and Kunal looked at each other in disbelief.
“How’s Prem?” Arohi was startled a bit but continued to talk, trying to be polite.
“He’s good, busy with work and travel but settling in.” Heer answered but understood Arohi might not have known the situation.
“He’s moved to London as I live here.” She added.
“Ah nice.. may be you can help us with some tourist information then. We’re planning to travel around UK since we’re here for a week.” Arjun joined the conversation.
The conversation soon turned to weather, food and possible destinations in UK.
Angad found Kripa’s message “come soon” and made his way towards their table as fast as he could. He found Heer having a conversation with Arohi & Arjun and looked around for Prem.
He saw Prem walk in right then standing behind Heer’s chair asking “Dinner?” and looking straight at Angad without noticing the surroundings.
Angad then signed with his eyes to look beside Heer but before he could, Heer turned to him and said “Ah finally.. have you met them?”
It was then he saw the couple and his face went pale.
“I’m so hungry. Let’s get some dinner first” Angad pulled Prem away from there.
As they were serving themselves food from the buffet
“Were you aware she was coming?” He asked Angad.
“Yes I was but didn’t realise they’ll be seated next to us.” Angad thought Sam was aware of the history.
They went back to their table that was empty now. Others were in queue to get food as well, Heer still talking to them while Kripa and Kunal watched as silent spectators.
“I need to tell her” Prem looked at Angad.
“Can’t it wait till you go back home” Angad didn’t want that conversation to happen there unsure of how Heer would react to it.
Prem saw Heer talking to Arohi and then handing her plate to Kripa and heading somewhere. He immediately followed her.
“Heer wait I need to tell you something.” He held her hand in his and looked into her eyes.
“Arohi used to be very good friend of mine in college. After college, we started working at the same firm. I asked her out as I thought we liked each other. We went on 1 or 2 dates and then she just disappeared.” Heer pulled out her hands and ran from there.
He stood there quietly scolding himself for not telling her earlier.
“Still here?” She asked bringing him out of his trance. He didn’t realise how long he stood there lost in his thoughts.
“Next time you decide to tell me about one of your ex please choose a better place and time.” She said and he finally noticed that they were standing very near to washroom.
“I didn’t realise” He was quite embarrassed.
“It’s very flattering to know that your focus is only on me but sometimes would be helpful if you do take notice of the surroundings as well.” She decided to tease him.
“Very funny ok.. I was so scared that you left” The way she walked away, it scared him.
“Well I did drink a lot of water. I had to go.” She was in a rush to go and didn’t expect him to follow her and least of all shock her with his past all of a sudden.
“I’m sorry I should have told you much earlier about it.” He apologised.
“I don’t think there is anything to be sorry about. We ran into her and you told me so I’m ok with it. I don’t really want a list of all your exes. Besides I already guessed there was some history, seeing Kripa and Kunal’s reaction. She’s happily married and so are you so I think it would be best to end this sort of Cold War going on with your gang and her. I do understand she rejected the Prem Juneja but to be fair they were childhood sweethearts so I can’t really blame her.” Heer learned from Arjun that Arjun & Arohi met in school and continued to keep in touch even though they went to pursue different careers.
“What? How do you know?” He tried to recollect but Arohi never mentioned any Arjun.
“Arjun told me they met in school and later had a long distance relationship with lots of ups and downs. May be she wasn’t sure so didn’t tell you guys.” Heer told him what she knew.
“Well I thought she was avoiding only me but would’ve kept in touch with Angad and Kunal. I guess they might have been..” He realised that they might have given her cold shoulder.
“Let’s go and sort it out then” They went back to their table where everyone was silently concentrating on food being eaten.
“Hi Arjun, I’m Prem. This is Angad&Kripa and Kunal.” He decided to mend the relationship he damaged.
“Hi.. it’s so nice to finally meet you. I heard so much about you guys.” Arjun knew how much Arohi missed her old friends though things went sour between them.
“Good things I hope” Kunal joined in.
“Hmm depends on your memories of all the extra lectures you had.” Arjun winked.
Everyone laughed as they recollected that incident. Heer & Kripa had no idea so Angad narrated the incident.
It was one of those boring lectures on budgeting and Arohi was trying to convince Kunal to bunk the afternoon session to go to a Hritik Roshan movie. Kunal kept denying but she was adamant.
“Please Kunal let’s go for matinee. Warden wouldn’t allow to go out for night show” Arohi pleaded.
“No” Kunal screamed aloud tired of her constant badgering.
The professor looked at him in shock. Angad & Prem, who were sitting behind were trying hard to control their laughter. It was end of the session and the professor asked him to meet outside.
“I did think I wasn't able to explain it well. If you do need extra help understanding the model, why don’t we catch up in the evening after college? I’ll give you extra tuition starting next week and also, find out if anyone else is interested they can join as well. Make a list and give it to me tomorrow.” Kunal was confused as hell as the professor left.
Prem joined him and mentioned how the professor was asking if everyone understood the model he covered in the class that day and he screamed no right then.
“What? I wasn’t even paying attention to what he said. Arohiii...” He screamed but she ran away.
As revenge, he signed her up for the classes as well along with Prem and Angad.
The four of them looked at each other and smiled.
“Let us get some dessert” Heer nudged Kripa and they walked away. Taking cue, Arjun excused himself as well joining the ladies.
“I messed it all up, didn’t I?” Prem asked Arohi.
“No Prem it was me. I didn’t handle the situation well. I should’ve told you guys about Arjun. Few days before you asked me, I had a big fight with Arjun and ended our relationship. I felt I had to move on but when we started going out I realised he can only be the one and I can’t let him go. So, I had to rush to tell him.” Arohi felt over the years that she shouldn’t have left like she did and should have given Prem some closure.
“We’re sorry too that we took Prem’s side and didn’t realise what you must be going through.” Kunal and Angad apologised. They patched up and Arohi started to cry.
“You still look pretty ugly when you cry” Prem teased her earning a slap on his arm.
“So, Kunal’s the last one standing, just like we thought” Arohi said wiping her tears and recollecting their discussion around who would marry and settle down.
“Ah please not that topic.. I’m so happy that you all found love of your life but I’m happy as I am and let me keep my peace.” He was tired of the discussion around his love life everywhere he went.
“Heer told me you live here now, that’s a big change considering how you always wanted to be home.” Arohi asked Prem.
“Well home is where your heart is and that’s here so I’m happy.” His eyes were fixed on her as she walked back towards the table.
“Wah wah” Angad and Kunal clapped.
Arohi was glad to see Prem so happy as that wasn’t the case last time she tried to reach out to him.
xxx
They drove back to the house as Kripa and Angad decided to stay back longer and they had work to go to tomorrow.
As they headed out of car park, she asked him
“Can we go for a walk Heer, please?” He pleaded.
She just wrapped her arm around his waist and walked towards the riverside. They walked till they were close to a bench.
He looked at her eyes shining in the moonlight and then at her lips and kissed her till they ran out of breath.
“I wanted to kiss you as much as you did that night but I was scared...” He told her once they settled on the bench.
“I wanted to talk to you after that but you ran away and later you kept avoiding any meeting Preet set up so I thought may be it was a mistake.” He added as she remained silent. His past experience didn’t allow him to make an impulsive decision. He never spoke or thought about what happened with Arohi once she left.
“When Arohi left me like that I thought I’ll never be able to trust someone again but when I met you, everything changed. I tried very hard to erase you from my thoughts but...” He smiled looking into her eyes.
She held his hand between her palms
“I know it was a tough battle. I fought it too but couldn’t win so had to come and see you at the airport. I was unsure of how you felt and even if you did, how would we make it work? We made it so far but I’m sure we’ll have to conquer many more battles. Let’s just live in the present and build a future together.”
They kissed and then headed back home as it was very late.
Sorry for the long wait everyone.. was in my draft for a long time but didn't get a chance to post.
No matter how many wonderful characters Sushant played in the movies, for us kis deshians he’ll always be our Preet. One thought of Preet and his smiling face comes to my mind.. I did want to bring him back in this part but couldn’t write anything. Don’t think I can ever imagine a Premeer story without Preet in it though so bear with me till next part... Thanks for all your patience and support..
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Cricket
