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I don't know about you guys but for me it's summer vacation which means trips and stuff will be occurring. I have one coming up so I'll try to post when I can. And from my understanding for some school isn't over yet as people have exams and projects going on. Want to wish you all the best in on your project or exam!
Here's the next chapter. I have to confess that I thought this chapter was kinda boring. I only liked it when I got to the end...Prem and Heer part...lol. But there is are a lot of little things I've hidden inside this chapter that will move the plot line along. So I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 9: Getting To Know You
Heer and Meher were stunned by the way Mr. and Mrs. Juneja were treating them as if they were family; as if they were their own daughters. The other members of the family welcomed them warmly. As promised the elders of the house explained the special relationship the families shared over dinner. After dinner they all retired to the family room to have fruit and dessert.
"Lalit Uncle and Gayatri Auntie thank you so much for dinner," Heer sincerely thanked.
"The dinner was really lovely," Meher said, "Thank you so much."
Lalit chuckled, "I've never seen anyone finish their plate so fast." Meher embarrassingly looked down. Noticing he might have hurt her feelings he quickly added, "But you are welcome here any time. Think of us like family."
Gayatri gently nodded reaffirming her husband's pledge, "Yes, please do come and visit often. There should never be a time when you consider our house as a stranger's house." Heer and Meher both smiled and nodded in agreement to their request.
Rishi who had been sitting on his mother's lap started to make a fuss to be put down on the ground. Kulraj complied and let her son go. He hobbled towards the couch were Meher, Heer, Veera, and Harman were sitting. Veera noticed little Rishi walking towards her. She smiled and reached out to welcome her little nephew, "You wanna sit with Masi?"
Rishi blabbered, "Hee-w," with his arms out stretched walking past Veera who sat there slightly stunned.
Heer smiled in surprised, "Awww, Rishi you remembered me?" She picked him up in her arms and placed him comfortably in her lap.
"Wow, he must really like you," Kulraj said astonished by her son's actions. "It usually takes him a while to warm up to people."
The talking continued for a few more minutes before Lalit and Gayatri started feeling the effects of their jetlag. They encouraged Heer and Meher to stay and visit longer as the night was still young and they did not have school the next day. Not long after, Kulraj and Kiran also excused themselves to put their son to bed, Veera ran off to watch her favorite TV show, and Harman left to make an important phone call; leaving the two brothers with the two sisters.
"Let's take a tour," Preet suggested as he got up from his chair, "You have already seen the dining room, living room, family room so let's go upstairs."
"What about the kitchen?" Heer asked glancing teasingly at Prem.
Preet snickered, "Ah, yes the kitchen. I'm glad you mention that. We have a party member here who must be at the end of the line. Yes, you sir standing there," pointing at his brother, "Yes, I'm talking to you. Keep your hands where I can see them."
Heer and Meher giggled while Prem just huffed shaking his head as they followed their tour guide into the kitchen. It was a sophisticatedly decorated kitchen with an open floor plan, steel appliances, and granite counter tops. To their left stood a large island that held a second sink and a breakfast bar. To their right was the smaller kitchen dining room. There were large windows that flanked the right side of the house giving the whole kitchen a wonderful view of the backyard and allowing ample light to shine in during the daytime.
Following Preet's lead they walked out the kitchen back door to the backyard where the pool was. Preet turned on the pool lights allowing the soft light to illuminate their surroundings. "So here's the pool. During the summer time we have pool parties. Hope you guys can swim," he said. There was a sizable pool house in the back that he led them to next, "This is the pool house...guest house..." Meher and Heer wondered around seeing that the place had its own living room, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. "And sometimes Bauji sleeps here when he gets in trouble for smoking or eating too many sweets," Preet added causing the girls to giggle. He then led them back into the house through the sliding glass doors in the back of the living room. "So the office is there over on the left," Preet pointed to two large French glass doors. "Then there's the prayer room by the front foyer...and that's pretty much the first floor. Now, onto the second floor." He led them upstairs and pointed to the left hallway, "Down there is our parents' bedroom, Kulraj Di and Kiran's, Rishi's, and two guest bedrooms. But I'm sure you are more interested in ours." He turned right and walked to the first door on the left, "Tada!"
The room was painted in a warm blue and had various sports posters hanging on the wall. "Oh, sorry...forgot I didn't fix the bed," Preet said as he quickly ran over and untangled his sheets from the bed covers. His closet was to the right of the bed and in front was his desk. Prem picked up a white sock from the floor and scrunched his nose, "Looks like you forgot to put your dirty laundry away too," and opened the adjoining bathroom to toss it into the hamper.
Preet slung the sheets around causing something white to fly out landing a few feet away from the bed. Meher's face flushed warmly as she tugged at her sister's hand and silently pointed. Heer looked in the direction that Meher had indicted and covered her mouth. Unable to contain themselves any longer they burst into laughter. Preet dropped what he was doing and looked at them wondering what was so funny. Heer pointed at the floor, "I think you forgot that too."
Preet looked down and quickly ran over picking up his boxer shorts in utter embarrassment. He held it behind his back, "Um, okay tours over on my room," then motioning with his free hand, "Let's go see the other rooms. Prem, why don't you show them while I clean up?"
Prem smirked, "What no souvenirs? You always get a souvenir when you go on tours." Preet gave his brother a nasty look. Prem chuckled, "Well, next time you show someone your room remember to check that your underwear isn't lying around," and left with Heer and Meher in tow still giggling. "That's Veera's there on the right and Harman's on the left and mine's the last one down the hall," Prem pointed as they walked.
"What's up on the third floor?" Meher asked.
"Oh, just more guest rooms," he replied as he opened his door.
Prem's room was a direct contrast to Preet's room which had displayed a youthful exuberance. His walls were painted with a slate blue giving it an elegant but calming feel. He bed was positioned to the right side between two windows that overlook the front of the house. His desk was underneath the other window in the room that faced the west. Heer walked to the dresser that was facing directly in front of the bed and saw some photographs sitting on top. "Where did you get these?" she asked looking at a black and white photo of the New York City sky line, "They are beautiful."
Prem timidly responded, "Oh, these..." picking up the other frame that held a black and white picture of a river, "I took them. It's kind of a hobby of mine," and handed the frame to Meher to look at.
"Wow, Prem these are really good," Meher replied. "These look almost professional."
"Don't flatter me," Prem said.
"No, these are really really good," Heer said with encouraging confidence. "How long have you've been doing photography?"
"Oh, since college really...so about five years...needed something to relieve stress I guess. Whenever I go hiking or on trips I take the camera with me to see if I can catch anything. I took loads of pictures in India but I just haven't had the chance to get them developed," he explained.
"When you do I would love to see them," Heer said.
Meher nodded in agreement, "Me too."
Just then Preet bopped in, "Taking about pictures, huh? Yea, he's pretty good isn't he? Hey, you guys wanna see baby pictures?" The girls nodded eagerly. "Hehe, you're going to love Prem Bhaiya's...what a fat baby," he snickered.
As they followed Preet back down the hallway they overhead a rather loud conversation coming from Harman's bedroom. "No, don't say that. I'm really sorry. I'll make it up to you. Honeybun..." Harman quickly closed his cell phone when he saw the door open with Preet, Prem, Heer, and Meher rushing in. Harman quickly turned to his right towards his desk and pretended to do something on his laptop. The wall above the desk hung all his scholarly accomplishments.
"Honeybun?" Preet repeated with a mischievous grin. Prem stood next to him moving his eyebrows up and down in a taunting motion.
"What are you talking about?" Harman said trying to pretend that they did not just eavesdrop on his conversation.
"I distinctly heard you say Honeybun. Didn't you hear it to PB?" Preet said tapping his finger with his chin."
"That's definitely something you say to a girl..." Prem replied his eyes narrowed in playful pondering.
"I was talking to my friend. I don't know what you guys are talking about," Harman said waving his hand. Heer and Meher both looked at each other and giggled. "You guys really don't believe these two jokers do you?"
"But we heard you say it," Heer answered.
"I don't think you were talking about sweets," Meher giggled.
As if suddenly getting an idea, "Sweets...um, yeah...that's exactly what I was talking about. I have to buy sweets for him...you know honeybuns, donuts, coffee cake..." Harman said.
Preet grinned, "Okay...fine...but next time," dramatically raising his two fingers to his eyes and then back at his brother's, "you won't get away so easily. I'll be watching you."
"I really can't wait to meet this 'guy friend' of yours'Honeybun," Prem sarcastically teased.
Harman frowned, "Yea, whatever...shows over," and shooed his unwelcomed guests out of his room.
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Once downstairs the gang joined Veera in the living room and began leafing through the old photo albums together. Thirty minutes later Prem realized the pool lights were still on and excused himself from the group. It wasn't long before Heer noticed he was taking a really long time. She quietly left unnoticed and went off to find Prem. For some reason she decided to go to the pool through the kitchen entrance. She found him sitting by the steps that lead to the garden on the far side of the pool.
Prem was lost in thought as he starred above him at the night sky. The moon was shining brightly as usual but there was something different about this night than all the other nights before. He didn't know why he felt that way. He suddenly sensed someone's presence behind him a tickling feeling running from the back of his neck down his spine. He turned with a soft grin. Heer was on her tip-toes walking towards him, "Sorry," she sheepishly greeted. "I didn't mean to disturb you."
"It's okay," he said moving to the left of where he was sitting; a subtle indication for her to join him.
Heer noticed how his white shirt seemed to illuminate underneath the moonlight. It hung tightly on his body revealing his broad shoulders and muscular arms. She sat down next to him and stared at the moon, "It's so round and bright tonight."
"Yea, it is...isn't it?" he softly replied.
They sat there in peaceful silence taking in the beautiful scenery that Mother Nature had bestowed upon them. Heer tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and curiously glanced over at Prem; his strong profile concentrating on what was up above them. He turned giving her a small smile.
She gently licked her dry bottom lip not sure if she should say anything but felt herself opening her mouth automatically, "Um, about what Preet said..."
Knowing what she meant he finished her thought for her, "I'm okay. I'm not sad. Ma has raised me and my sister Kulraj like one of her own. She's never let us feel that there was any difference between us and her own biological children. Kulraj and I love Harman, Preet, and Veera...and they love us just as much as we love them." He turned his attention back towards the night sky, "I don't remember much about my biological mom since she passed when I was so young." Prem felt a soft pressure on his right hand. He glanced down and saw that Heer was gently holding it. He continued, "'but I've never been without a mother's love. My Ma has showered me with so much love. She's the only real mom I've ever known and I love her a lot. No one can replace her. I know my biological mom must have loved me a lot because she sent me my Ma."
Heer continued to hold his hand as the silence filled the air between them. She was grateful that he had shared something so personal with her. It astonished her how in the past two weeks she witnessed so many different shades of his personality; his playfulness, his shyness, his sincerity, his brotherly bond with his brothers, and his immense love for his family. And now she was witnessing the vulnerable side of him; something that most men would guard heavily with iron clad locks and concrete walls.
"So, you've been thinking about your parents a lot lately?" he softly asked.
She nodded, "I know it's not like I haven't been away from them before I did do the exchange program in London...but sometimes I just find myself thinking about them. I wonder if Dad's eating properly...the doctor's been telling him to cut back on the amount of fried things he eats and to watch his salt intake," she slightly chuckled, "I remember coming home one day...and I caught Dad eating pakoras in his office...he had bribed one of the servants to make them...Meher wasn't any help she was sitting there eating them with him. Mom came home early from buying groceries and boy was she mad when she saw him. Dad slept on the couch that night." Prem chuckled along with her. "One of my cousins," she continued, "on my mother's side is getting married soon. So, Mom's been asked to help with some of the wedding preparations. She used to do that kind of work before she met Dad. So I know she must be pretty stressed with everything going on. I miss them. And even though I've learned some of my mother's recipes they never really turn out like hers...you know like something's just missing. I really don't know...maybe there is something to that saying...a mother's touch...makes everything tastes better."
"You know what my parents said was not them being polite. They really want you and Meher to treat our house like yours. So if you are ever missing that mother's touch my Mom's here," Prem said as he turned towards her. He was stunned to see tears forming in her eyes. She tried to blink them back but one escaped and silently rolled down her cheek. He reached over with his left hand and gently wiped it away with his fingertips.
"Sorry...I can't believe I'm acting like this...crying," she replied embarrassed slightly chuckling as she tilted her head back. Prem quietly held the hand that had been holdings his giving her a reassuring comfort. "Thank you, your parents are really sweet," she shyly smiled.
"Hey, so that's where you two went," Veera shouted sticking her head out of the sliding glass door. Upon hearing her voice Prem and Heer quickly distanced themselves away from each other. "Come on," she encouraged, "We're going to watch Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge."
Heer smiled as she got up, "Okay great," and then addressing Prem, "Meher loves this movie. I hope I can stop her from reciting the entire thing while we watch it."
He laughed, "She's a super fan then," then asked, "You a SRK fan?"
"Of course he's like a classic isn't he? But I also love Shahid Kapoor and John Abraham," Heer replied. "And you?"
"I like SRK but I also like Salman Khan a lot," Prem replied. He raised his right arm out and slightly bowed, "Ladies first." Heer giggled as she walked over the threshold back into the house. Prem followed closely behind.
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Pre-Cap:
Chapter 10: Projects, Projects, Projects Part 1
Preet starts to realize something about a certain someone
Sanjana starts hatching her own plans...are we in for a love triangle?
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As always Comments greatly welcomed!
Thanks for reading and hope you have an awesome day!
---Grace ^_^
Edited by iheartChai - 14 years ago
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