FF|All the Wrong Moves in All the Right Ways I - Page 34

Chapter 26: Secrecy

Heer flipped through the digital photos taken on Prem's camera as they drove back into the city from the country side. Prem glanced over and smiled at Heer's reactions to the photos. "You really like the photos we took today, huh?"

"This one is definity going to be your caller id," she giggled. It was picture of Prem with his hair covered in snow.

Prem grinned, "I'll do anything to make you happy." Heer gave him a thankful smile. "I think my favorite pictures are the snow angels. I'll make yours my wallpaper on my cell," he said. "It's like I have a picture of you but not really...it will be safer that way." There was a moment of silence between them as they understood the underlining meaning of the situation. It was difficult sometimes for them not to think about the looming danger and consequences of what they were doing. They felt bad but in their minds it was a mistake worth making. Prem reached over and held Heer's hand in his. "Sorry. Let's not think about stuff like that," he said.

Heer nodded her head. "So, where are you taking me now?"

"Did you like the first surprise?" he asked.

"Of course," she grinned. "Can't wait to see what's next."

An hour later Prem parked his car behind a parking lot behind a building. Heer got out of the car and followed Prem to the front. She saw a small patio filled with tables and a covered outdoor sititng area on the side deck of the restaurant. She could hear Italian music playing outside as they got closer. "This was the place I was talking about last time," Prem said as he opened the door for her.

"The one that you and Sanjana went to?" she asked.

"Yeah," he replied. "I promised you I would take you here. You're going to really like the food here."

A few minutes later Prem and Heer were seated comfortably in a cozy little corner in the back of the restaurant. They opened their menus while they waited for their waiter to come. Heer bit her lower lip trying to decide what to get. "I don't know what to get," she said.

"Get the fettuccine alfredo. It's really good here," Prem suggested. "Hey, you want to get an appetitzer?"

"Aren't we getting dessert?" she replied.

He smiled knowingly, "Okay, saving room for dessert, huh? No appetitzer than."

"If you want one you should get it," Heer said. "Don't edit your order because of me."

"Nah," Prem said as he patted his stomach. "I should watch what I'm eating. I need to get back into the routine of going to the gym. I've been slacking these past couple of weeks."

Heer laughed, "You can go with Kunal. I'm sure he'd love to have a gym partner."

Prem shook his head, "No way. I have a feeling Kunal will be making me do all sorts of crazy exercises. I want a nice workout not something that feels like I've been run over by a truck. I don't want my entire body to be sore and smell like muscle cramp cream."

Heer covered her mouth giggling. "Muscle camp cream...yea, I would stay away from you. But how about Preet or Harman?"

"Harman's too busy studying his law books he hardly has time to go out. And Preet, well I guess he could work. Now that he's dating he should be behaving better...he use to walk around the gym complementing the girls on their workout outfits. I think that's how he got all those numbers in his phone," Prem said.

"So he flirted instead of working out," Heer said arching her eyebrow. "For his sake he better behave."

Prem eyes widen as he noticed the harsh infliction in Heer's voice. He gave a half grin, "Meher has nothing to worry about. Plus, I'll beat him up if he does anything stupid. Don't worry. Anyways, Preet doesn't really like working out. He may jog a bit but then after that he becomes bored and bugs me to go home. You wanna go to the gym with me?"

"I do more Yoga now but I wouldn't mind," she replied. "But don't you want someone who will do the same workouts as you?"

"You don't have to do everything I do," he said. "It would be nice to just have some company."

Heer and Prem's conversation paused as they saw their waiter approaching. The waiter smiled upon looking at Prem giving an indication that he recognized him. "Hello again!" he said with a thick Italian accent. He then glanced over at Heer and back over to Prem with a questioningly look. "The other one..."

Prem shook his head, "No."

"Ah," the waiter nodded, "Much-a bet-ter." He pointed at both of them and gave a thumbs up sign with his hand, "Cute couple." They both hesitantly looked at each other and then shook their heads. "No?" the waiter asked. He shook his head trying to contradict them. "No, couple. Yes, you are." He put up his hand for them to stop protesting. "What-a you want-a order?"

Prem arched his eyebrow wondering why the waiter was acting like this. He remembered him to be pretty funny and entertaining when he came with Sanjana. But the waiter never alluded to them that they were a couple. "Um, I'll have the chicken marsala," Prem ordered.

Heer glanced at Prem and then shyly looked up at the waiter, "The fettuccine alfredo please."

The waiter smiled as he jotted down their order. "Ookie, chicken marsala and fettuccine alfredo," he repeated. He took their menus and then disappeared into the kitchen.

"What was that all about?" she whispered.

"I have no idea," Prem replied. "He wasn't acting like this when I came the last time."

"Do a lot of people know about this place?" Heer asked with concern.

"Our school's pretty big so who knows, but then again the likelihood that someone who knows us coming to eat here and seeing us together is like a million to one, right?" he said.

Just then the waiter came back to their table carrying a large tray. He refilled their water glasses and then popped a bottle of wine for them. Prem shook his head, "We didn't order any wine."

The waiter smiled, "On the house."

"You can do that?" Prem asked a bit concerned.

The waiter laughed. "I'm Mario. I'm the owner," then pointing around the room, "The host is my brother, Luigi. That waiter is my son, Joey. That waiter is Luigi's son, Bobby. That waitress is my daughter, Rosa. That's my nephew, Vinny behinda the bar. And my wife and brother-in-law are the chefs," he explained. "You two a couple so wine on the house...tonight-a's special. Don't say-a no. Mario knows these things. Just enjoy-a." Prem and Heer politey smiled and took the free wine offered to them.

"Cheers?" Prem asked as he titled his glass towards hers.

"Cheers," Heer replied as their glasses gently touched.

"Hey this is pretty good," Prem said as he took a sip.

Heer swallowed and nodded in agreement. She sudden grabbed the side of the table in slight panic. "Oh My God, it's Professor Davis and his wife," she whispered. Prem turned his head to look only to be breated by Heer. "Prem, don't look. What if they see us?"

"So they see us," he replied. "He's a professor...he's not going to gossip about us. He probably doesn't even care."

"Wait, Mary is his daughter?" Heer asked.

"Who's Mary?" Prem questioned.

"She's in two of my classes this semester. I'm in a group with her too," Heer explained. "If she sees us she'll be asking a whole bunch of questions at school on Monday." Heer scooted deeper into her side of the booth and slouched trying not to be noticed.

Prem glanced around him. "Look the resturuant is slowly filling up I bet you she won't even see us. Just relax. The more you try to avoid not being seen the more likely you will get caught."

Heer frowned, "Easy for you to say." Prem sighed and got up from the table causing Heer to panic again. "What are you doing?"

"Get up," he motioned. "I'll switch seats with you." Heer did a quick glance and then moved swiftly from the right side to the left side of the booth. "There, nothing to worry about."

A few minutes later, Mario came back to serve them their food and did a double take wondering why they had switched seats. But he quickly recovered and smiled, "Vino good?"

"Yes, the wine is very good. Thanks Mario," Prem replied.

He smiled, "Good. Enjoy-a your meal."

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The rest of dinner went smoothly letting Prem and Heer to enjoy each other's company and the great food and wine they were having. Heer giddily dug her fork into the tiramisu. "Prem, this is soooo good!"

He grinned, "I told you didn't I?"

"I love this place. I really loved everything that I have had tonight. The fettuccine alfredo was delicious and I'm not much of a wine drinker but the wine was really nice. And of course this dessert is to die for!" she exclaimed.

"I'm really happy you like this place," Prem replied. He took another forkful of the dessert they were sharing slowly savorying the coffee flavor in his mouth. He nearly dropped his fork when he saw the very familiar figure of his best friend entering the restaurant. "What the? Oh crap, Kunal is here," Prem reported.

Heer's eyes widen in alarm. "He's here? Is he with anyone?"

"No, not that I can tell," Prem replied his head lowered as he snuck glances at the front of the restaurant. "Oh, wait he's with his little sister and his older sister and her husband."

"Just great," Heer said nervously. "His family's going to find out."

"Let's see if we can get the check and get out of here before he spots us," Prem said. He signaled with his hand for Mario and to Prem's relief he promptly came over.

Mario smiled at the couple, "Everything ookie?"

"Yes, everything was delicious. Thank you so much. Could we have the check?" Prem answered.

"Of course. I'll be back-a," he replied.

Heer bit her lower lip afraid what was going to happen next. Prem wanted to reach out and take her hand into his to comfort her but he knew that wasn't the smartest thing to do at the moment. As Mario came back with the bill Prem quickly gave him his credit card so he could expedite the process of them leaving. "Hey Mario, is the front entrance the only way to leave the restaurant?" Prem asked.

Mario gave him a questioning look and then answered, "Yes-a, unless you go through the side-a entrance to the deck," pointing with his hand, "that will lead you outside-a."

Prem politely smiled, "Thanks."

"Are you serious? We have to walk right by Kunal and them to get to the deck exit," Heer cautioned.

"Would you prefer walking through the restaurant to the main door? We will walk by Kunal's table along with the Davis family's table. If we time it right we can slip pass Kunal's table by using the waiter as a distraction and exit out to the deck," Prem explained.

Heer sighed, "I guess we don't have any other choice."

Prem signed his bill and then waited patiently for a waiter to attend to Kunal's table. He smiled as he saw his friend get up from the table to go some where. "This is great Mr. Kapoor just left. Let's go," Prem instructed. They both got out of the booth and quietly walked towards the side exit. They tried their best to look straight ahead so they could minimize the chances of them being spotted. They made it successfully pass the Kapoor table and were in reach of the side exit when Prem froze causing Heer to bump into him. She automatically held onto his arm trying to steady herself.

"Hey Prem!" Kunal shouted happily. His eyes glanced behind and noticed Heer clinging onto his friend. "Heer? What are you guys doing here?"

Prem swallowed hard as he faced his best friend. "Um, you know dinner," he replied as smoothly as possible.

Kunal arched his eyebrow and gave a knowing grin, "Oooh really? Just you two?"

Prem immediately took his friend's shoulder and whispered, "I have to talk to you in private." Not sure what to do Heer decided to follow them as they headed to the restrooms. Heer waited in the restroom hallway as Prem dragged his friend inside the men's room.

"Woah, what's the matter?" Kunal asked as they stood in the men's restroom. He gave a friendly punch to Prem's shoulder. "Don't try to hide anything from me. You guys are dating aren't you? Congrats, man! I've been wondering what was going on between you two."

Prem gave a weak smile, "Yea, sort of..."

"Sort of? What do you mean sort of?" Kunal replied. "You either are or aren't. Did I interrupt a romantic date? Was this supposed to be on the down low until you guys figure things out? You can count on me to keep my mouth shut about it."

"Kunal..." Prem said placing his hands on his friend's shoulders. He looked at Prem and realized the seriousness in his tone. Prem sighed, "I have to tell you something. You have to promise me you won't utter a single word to anyone including family." Kunal arched his eyebrow in concern and then quietly listened to Prem's story.

"She's Engaged!" Kunal shouted as soon as Prem finished. "I was totally right! Didn't I tell you six months? And she went home to India, man! I told you that place is dangerous. Dude, I totally predicted this...that someone was going to be engaged within six months. This is crazy, I feel like a freaking psychic!"

"Kunal," Prem tensely replied. "Keep it down. Can we focus a little here?"

"Oh, yea sorry man...got a little carried away there. But Prem, man...what are you two doing? I mean I'm happy for you and all but this is not good. If the family finds out...you guys are both in serious trouble. I don't know what her dad's going to try to do to you but it won't be good. He's probably going to chase you down with a shot gun. You are simply crazy, man. I mean you must really care for her a lot to do something like this," Kunal said.

"She's everything to me," Prem answered.

"So you're in love with her?" Kunal asked.

"I've met a lot of girls in my life but none of them have been able to effect me like the way she can. It took me awhile to realize what I had in front of me but now that I know I can't see anyone but her. She completes me," Prem replied.

Kunal had never seen his friend talk this seriously about a relationship before and couldn't help chuckling. "You've got it bad, man."

Prem smiled, "Yeah, that I do. I love her a lot."

"Seriously I'm happy for you," Kunal said. "You can count on me. I won't say anything until you tell me to. But you guys have to be careful. What's your plan?"

Prem sighed, "It's a little hard right now. I mean it's her father's last wish. She respects her father and I understand that..."

"Maybe it's time to become Raj from DDLJ and make your way into the family and win everyone over to take your Simran away," Kunal suggested.

"Life's a bit more complicated than a movie," Prem said. "Besides my dad is on good terms with her dad...her mother seems to like me...but..."

"What's the hestaition man? Seems like your halfway there'the Mom likes you. If you don't do something she's going to marry some other guy," Kunal explained.

"You don't think I know that? But things are delicate...her father's really ill...if we reveil every thing and he gets upset...his blood pressure raises...he faints...and ends up in the hospital and his health detoriates even more Heer will be devastated...I can't allow that to happen...and just because Mom likes me doesn't mean she's going to be cool with me breaking her daughter's engagement. And if this guy turns out to be some super nice guy I don't even have a just cause to do anything," Prem replied with frastruation. "I don't know what to do. I don't want to let her go but I don't have the right to keep her either."

Kunal sighed at his friend's predicament. "Whenever you need me just let me know," he said and gave Prem a reassuring squeeze on his shoulder.

"Preet, what did you tell Abhishek?" she asked.

He could feel his body temperature heat up and small droplets of sweat forming on his back. This was the moment of truth his answer would determine if he made the right choice or the wrong choice. "Um, that we aren't dating."

Meher squinted her eyes in uh-oh moment. "I told Rano and Deepika that we were."

"But I thought we weren't going to tell anyone," Preet asked. "Why did you go and tell them?"

"They sent Abhi over to ask you and then they cornered me and grilled me into telling them the truth. Anyways Rano and Deepika are two of my closest friends. They promised me they won't tell. I made them swear on the life of their parents. They can't say anything until we say its okay," Meher explained. She noticed the slightly disappointed look in Preet's eyes. "I'm sorry. But think of it this way at least we have some close friends to turn to if we need help."

"I guess so," Preet pondered. "Abhi probably just told them what I told him. I'm going have to have a talk with him. So that's only five people who know now."

Meher nodded and timidly looked down. After a few seconds of thinking she reached out and gave Preet a hug. "I'm sorry."

Preet smiled and patted her back, "Its okay eventually people will find out. It's not like we're doing anything wrong."

Prem silently followed Heer into the townhouse. He helped her take off her coat and hanged it in the closet while he tossed his onto the couch. He took his shoes off and stretched his feet on the wooden floor feeling more relaxed. The ride home was a quiet affair as both we're lost in their thoughts over what had happened at the restaurant with Kunal. Prem sat on the corner end of the couch and turned on the television just to break the silence. Without a word Heer sat next to him and then lefted his left arm up placing it around her so she could curl up against his chest. Prem smiled at the gesture and kissed her forehead. It was strange yet magical at the same time how they could communicate without saying a word to each other; that a simple gesture, look, or smile could speak volumes to either of them. Heer breathed in the intoxicating scent of his cologne and grinned as she felt his arms tighten around her shoulder.

Prem sat watching the news checking to see what was going on from around the world. Eventually the events of the day slowly caught up with him as he felt his eyelids grow heavier. He blinked forcefully several times before he finally gave in letting them fall. His head titled to his right resting against the back of the couch. Heer had actually fallen asleep several minutes before Prem. She had been lulled into slumber by the steady beating of his heart. Heer had felt a protective comfort and completeness in his arms. She secretly prayed that she would be able to enjoy this feeling forever and that Prem would always be there. Heer stirred from her nap when she felt Prem shift his body weight. She rubbed her eyes as she awoke to see Prem yawn sleepily. "Sorry," he replied. "I think it's time for bed." He yawned again and then maneuvered his arms into postion. "Prem!" Heer shireked in surprise as she felt him pick her up, "What are you doing?"

"I'm carrying you to bed silly," he grinned.

"You look more tired than I do," Heer replied. "You can put me down."

He shook his head childishly, "No, I don't wanna." Prem yawned again for the third time that night.

"You're tired..." she said placing her hand on his cheek, "put me down...I must be really heavy."

"What are you talking about? Heavy? You're light as a feather," Prem answered as he walked up the stairs. He pushed his way into Heer's room before gently letting her down on the floor.

"Thank you," she smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Ah-uh," Prem responded and quickly lifted the covers, "my lady," he gestured with his hand, "you're bed awaits you."

"Are you going to tuck me in?" Heer giggled as she obediently layed down.

"Yup," he said as he tenderly pulled the covers over her. "Nice and comfy?" Heer nodded in response. Prem bent down and gave her kiss on her forehead, "Goodnight." He turned to leave and felt a tug on his wrist making him stop. Heer shyly smiled as she made room for him to sit down on the side of her bed. "Yes?" he asked as he leaned forward his right hand gripping the side of the bed while his left hand was on the other side of Heer supporting his weight. A gentle smile spread across his lips as he inched closer to Heer; her eyes giving him an inviting gaze. Prem bent down and initiated the kissing session. An undescribable feeling ran through Heer as she and Prem physically express their feelings for each other. It felt like magic if there ever was such a describable feeling as that. It was a feeling she didn't want to give up and only Prem could provide. It scared her slightly that this love they shared was taking so much control of her already. The kissing naturally paused as Prem pulled back a little. Heer saw a different type of desire in his eyes one that she hadn't seen before. She swallowed nervously as she realized along with Prem that the only thing between them was the comforter. They both looked at each other with a mixture of fear and uncertainty. Heer felt her cheeks grow warm as the silence ran uncomfortably long. Prem felt his own sense of panic and blinked pushing his inner urges aside. "Don't worry. I know," he whispered. Their time together soon came to a startling end as they heard the front door open and the voices of their siblings echoing through the house. Prem and Heer scrabbled off the bed and stared at each other wondering what to do next as the voices grew closer.

"Their home already?" Heer asked in a hush tone.

"It's midnight," Prem replied as he checked his watch. "We came home around 11:00."

They heard Preet and Meher talking and laughing about something outside in the hallway. Then there was a sudden knock on the bedroom door. Heer's eyes widen as she looked at Prem. "Hide," she whispered. Prem looked around him trying to find a suitable place to disappear into and finally ran to the bathroom.

Heer took a deep breath and then opened her door, "Hey, what's up?"

Meher looked at her sister noticing she had actually changed out of her pajamas since the last time she had seen her. "Didi, you have to try some of this cake!" Meher greeted.

"Meher, its midnight," she replied.

"No, seriously you have to try it," Preet encouraged. "And you're so skinny anyways you could afford to gain a little weight."

"No, I really shouldn't," Heer said. Their converstion was interrupted by a sudden muffled sneezed coming from the direction of the bathroom. Heer panicked as she saw the expressions on Meher and Preet's faces.

"Um, did you just hear something?" Preet asked.

"On second thought, cake sounds really good," Heer interrupted pushing them away from her room as she closed the door. "Let's go to the kitchen." Meher and Preet confusedly followed Heer down the stairs.

Heer took the last bite on her plate and smiled, "That was good."

"See didn't I tell you?" Meher grinned and wiped her finger over her plate picking up the remants of the chococlate icing to lick off.

"How many slices have you two had?" Heer asked.

"This is my second one," Meher answered.

Preet finished off his glass of milk and replied, "This is my fourth slice." Meher and Heer both looked at each and started giggling. Preet scrunched his nose in confusion. "What's so funny? So I like chocolate cake."

Meher shook her head, "No, it isn't that. You've got a milk moustache!"

Frowning slightly Preet wiped his mouth with his napkin, "Better?"

"A lot," Heer giggled. She then glanced at the clock on the wall and wondered how Prem was doing upstairs. She knew his brother had to leave sooner or later and decided to bring up the topic in the hopes to get him to leave. "Preet when is your curfew? Don't you need to be home?"

"Are you trying to kick me out?" Preet replied. "Geez, I give you cake and this is how you treat me? Do you know how hard I had to fight to get this half of the cake? Six people! Six people were eyeing this thing and I was able to outsmart them."

"More like bribe them," Meher interjected. "He's taking them out for brunch."

"Brunch?" Heer repeated.

"Not just any brunch. It's the Champagne brunch buffet...where you can order your own omlette and see the chef personally make it in front of you. Or you can go to the waffle station and get fresh Belgian waffles. And of course the usual breakfast items like ham, sasauge, bacon, hashbrowns, biscuits, toasts, muffins, bagels, and donuts. For the lunch side you have several different varities of fresh seafood...shrimp cocktail, smoked salmon, pan seared scallops...and the salads and sandwiches. Oh, and there's the fresh assortment of seasonal fruit and of course the drinks...the most important one, Champagne well, that is if you are of drinking age," Preet explained.

"Wow, and how much does that cost?" Heer asked.

"Heh, not something a lowly college student like me could afford. It's at our hotel. I should be able to get in without any charge after all I'm the son of the hotel owner...the worst that can happen is I get a discount," Preet grinned. "I'm pretty sure I won't have to pay though."

"So you're using your family," Heer replied.

"Hey that's what family connections are for," Preet smirked. "Anyways, about curfew I don't have to be home until 1:00am. If Bauji was here I would have to be home by midnight. I'm so happy that he's out of town. Ma's so much more chilled about these things." Preet glanced down at his watch and sighed, "But it is getting late so I guess I should be going."

Heer and Meher walked Preet to the door. Heer decided to leave the two giving them some privacy to say goodnight. She hurriedly returned to her room to find Prem laying in her bed his hands behind his head fast asleep. "Prem?" she whispered forcefully. He groggily cracked one eye open. "How can you sleep at a time like this?"

"Well, what else am I suppose to do?" he replied. "Has he left yet? Or do I have to spend the night here?"

"They're saying goodnight as we speak," Heer said. Prem nodded and turned to his side and closed his eyes. "Preeem, wake up."

He held up his hand and mumbled, "Just give me five minutes. Let me sleep for five more minutes."

Heer sighed at his behavior. Her ears perked at the sound of her sister's bedroom door opening and then shutting closed. "Preet's left. Come on," she said as she patted Prem's shoulder.

He got up and quietly followed her down the stairs. He glanced at the couch as Heer pushed him to the door. "Um, where's my jacket?" he asked. "I left it here on the couch," directing with his hand where it was suppose to be, "Where did it go?"

"What do you mean?" Heer replied as she gently opened the front door.

"Looking for this?" Preet asked holding up his brother's jacket. A thick smirk was formed on his face while Prem and Heer stared back in utter shock.