FF|All the Wrong Moves in All the Right Ways I - Page 47

aweso,meeeeeeee too good very nice part waitinggggg for next

wonderful update

Prashant..........should have been there in the mens rest room locked forever

loved sang and preet

Chapter 35: Blessings in Disguise

Morning breakfast at the Junejas was filled with laughter, childhood stories, and announcements. Veera told her family of her entry into the fashion competition being held by the hot new fashion designer Duncan James. The news was met with much encouragement and excitement. She also announced that she would be preparing a baby shower for Kulraj in the next coming days. This led to the elders reminiscing funny stories of their children. Some were left mortified while others laughed along acknowledging how crazy or stupid he or she was at the time. Eventually the time difference and traveling caught up with Lalit and the Maans forcing them to take rest in their perspective rooms. The Maans were placed in the pool house because it was the only fully accommodating room that was located on the first floor. Balraaj was still weak from his cancer treatments and having him walk up and down flights of stairs was just not advisable. It was decided that Heer and Meher would stay at the Juneja household during the weekends and at the townhouse during the weekdays. The townhouse was located in the city closer to school and thus easier to catch the bus in. Prem, Preet, and Harman offered to take them to school every day so they could stay during the weekdays as well but Heer and Meher refused because they didn't want to trouble anyone. They were still paying rent on the townhouse and it seemed like a waste to have them move in with the Junejas while they were locked into a lease for another three years.

Prem gently knocked on the guest room door and waited patiently for a response. He smiled at hearing her voice welcoming him to come in. Heer was sitting on the bed leaning up against the headboard typing away on her laptop. Her textbook and folders were open; papers scattered around on the comforter. She glanced up and gave him a warm smile.

"How's the paper going?" Prem asked as he found an empty place to sit down on the bed.

"I have five pages so far," Heer replied. "I wrote two on Friday and three today."

"That's good you're half way done," Prem replied. Heer glanced at him biting slightly on her lower lip. Knowing what she wanted to ask he answered for her, "He's gone...just left a few minutes ago. But he'll be back tonight for dinner."

"Figures," Heer mumbled.

Prem glanced at the foot of the dresser drawer and spied the red wheeled duffle bag. "Did you get everything you needed today at your house?" he asked.

"Yep, I'm only here for today and tomorrow so there wasn't a whole lot to bring over. Just two outfits, my pajamas, under garments, some toiletries, and of course my laptop and school books. I'm pretty much set," Heer said.

"You enjoyed driving Mr. Chabaria's car? The BMW 335i?" Prem asked his voice tingling with a hint of envy. It was the first time he actually wanted to be friendly to Prashant just so he could drive the new 2011 model.

"I won't lie I enjoyed driving the car. It felt so smooth on the road. And anyways I need all the practice I can get before my driving test next week," Heer replied. "I think he was lucky that Meher wasn't driving...he'd probably have a heart attack if she took the keys."

Prem laughed, "I would pay to see the expression on his face. You're sister drives like a maniac and I mean that in the most loving way possible."

"I know. Preet's always yelling at her to slow down. I don't know how she's going to pass the test," Heer said. "I don't know how I'm going to either...I still have problems parallel parking."

"You'll do fine," Prem reassured. "And it's a good thing you stopped driving like an 80 year old grandmother." Heer slapped his shoulder. "Hey, that hurt," he pouted rubbing his shoulder.

"I've gotten better," she defended. "I drive the speed limit now. That should shave off some years."

"Okay, okay...you're right. You drive like a 50 year old now," Prem adjusted.

Heer's mouth dropped open, "Only 30 years?"

"You haven't passed the test yet," he grinned. Heer couldn't help but find herself giggling. Prem leaned back against the headboard and sighed happily. "I'm glad you're staying for the weekend...now he can't just drop by the townhouse and bother you...he has to come here where the entire family is...and I'm here...there won't be a moment where you're alone with him."

Heer gave him a slight frown, "These insecurities of yours are unbecoming."

"Ah-ha, looks who's throwing stones at glass houses..." Prem replied.

"What?" she asked confused by his words, "Stones and glass houses?"

"It's a proverb...a saying that 'people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones'...basically saying you shouldn't be a hypocrite," Prem explained. "How come you get to be all possessive about me and worry about other girls hitting on me and I can't be concern over your fiance trying to make moves on you? That's not fair."

"Okay, I see your point," Heer replied.

Prem smiled. "I'll leave now so you can work on your paper." He was stopped from getting up by Heer's arms wrapping around his neck. "I'll see you later tonight," he responded.

Heer shook her head. "I'm taking a break," she said pulling him closer to her to share a brief kiss. She then moved her textbook, folder, papers, and laptop off to the side and cuddled closer to Prem.

He grinned and positioned his body further onto the bed. "So now that I'm not coming to your house at 1am...where are we meeting? The garden outside? My room? You're room?"

"The garden outside? Are you crazy we have to walk by the pool house...my parents are sleeping out there. I don't want to get caught like that," Heer replied. "Besides it's not very private."

"Then my room?" Prem suggested smirking slightly

"Your siblings are all on the second floor. How am I going to explain myself if Preet catches me? You know how he is...next thing I know Harman and Veera will be asking questions," Heer explained.

"It's always the guy's responsibility to sneak everywhere. We have to do all the dirty work," Prem replied sarcastically. "So, I have to sneak past all my siblings' rooms to get to the third floor staircase and then sneak past your sister's room to get to your room. Sure, no problem...a piece a cake."

"Well then let's not meet at all," Heer said.

"And deprive me of some private time with you?" Prem replied.

"We're alone now..." Heer stated.

Prem grinned, "That's right we're alone now..." and leaned closer. Heer giggled putting her hands up against his chest in a playful attempt to stop him. She was taken a back as Prem used the full force of his body weight to push her down onto the bed. "Prem!" she uttered in surprise. He smirked and just laid there while Heer fidgeted nervously. "Relax, Heer," he smoothly spoke trying to calm her. She raised her eyes to his and felt herself slowly being drawn into them. The weight of his body was no longer bothering her; in fact she found she rather liked it. "So, when are you going to talk to your father?" Prem asked. Heer blinked a couple of times wondering if she had just really heard what he had asked. They were in a very intimate position and he suddenly wanted to talk about her father? The only thing that was going through Heer's mind was...way to ruin a moment Prem Juneja... "Heer?" he repeated.

"My parents just came in today and I really have to get this paper done before Wednesday plus all the reading that was assigned for my other classes...and I have the driving test on Friday..." Heer rambled.

"You think sometime between eating and sleeping you could sit down for fifteen minutes and talk to him or your mother?" he asked.

"What about you?" she questioned. "Are you going to talk to your parents?"

"I'm not the one engaged," Prem answered. "Besides I don't think they would have a problem with me dating you. As far as Bauji's concern you're the daughter of his best friend...practically family already and Ma adores you."

"Do we really have to talk about this in this position?" Heer finally asked.

Prem flexed his eyebrows, "Why?"

"We're having a serious conversation and you're lying on top of me," Heer explained. "Don't you think this is just a little weird?"

"Would you prefer it if you were on top?" Prem replied cracking a small joke. Heer was not very amused and rolled her eyes. Prem got up and sat properly on the bed again. "Better?" he asked.

"For this conversation, yes," she replied grumpily.

Prem smiled inwardly realizing despite being nervous earlier she was actually anticipating some sort of move from him. He made a mental note that he would have to make it up to her later. "So..." Prem pressed again.

"Let me try talking to Mom first," Heer replied. "I think she'll be a bit more understanding?"

Prem could sense the tenseness in her voice and he pulled her into a hug. "We can't hide forever...the longer we wait the worse this is going to get."

Heer nodded her head against his chest, "I know. How come you aren't scared?"

"I am scared," he replied.

She lifted her head surprised by his response. "But you never show it."

He looked her in the eyes, "Just because I don't show it doesn't me I'm not scared. You're intelligent, caring, beautiful...have a sense of humor...you value family and have a wonderful heart...I wonder sometimes what exactly did I do to deserve someone like you and your love. I am scared...I'm scared of losing you. I don't know what I'll do if you ever leave me."

"Prem," Heer whispered placing her hand on his cheek. She closed the distance between them giving him a tender yet passionate kiss. When they naturally broke apart they could still feel the effects; their hearts where racing in their chests and an unspoken desire hung heavily in the air. This time it was Prem who inched closer towards Heer to initiate another kiss. For some reason he felt extremely nervous as he watch her slowly close her eyes in anticipation. Suddenly there was a loud knock at the door jolting both of them out of the intimate mood that had been created. Prem quickly grabbed Heer's textbook just in time as the door opened and Kulraj's head popped in. Heer fumbled with some papers in her hands and smiled nervously hoping Prem's sister did not see anything.

"Prem? What are you doing here?" Kulraj asked.

"I was just helping Heer find something for her paper," he replied breaking out in a cold sweat as he flipped through a couple of pages in the textbook, "See...it's on page 154."

Heer automatically played along, "Thanks...okay 154."

"Does Kiran know you're up here?" Prem asked trying to deflect any more probing questions.

"That man," Kulraj sighed waving her hands, "If he had his way he would have me stay in my room forever."

"But Didi you have to be careful," Prem replied with concern.

"I know. But I can still get around. I don't go running up and down the stairs for fun you know...just when I have to," Kulraj explained. She then addressed Heer, "Your mother wants to speak with you."

"Okay. I'll be there in a few minutes," Heer nodded.

Heer took a deep breath and opened the door of the pool house to see what her mother wanted. She found her mother sitting on the couch talking on the phone. She glanced around the room and saw that the bedroom door was closed indicating that her father was still resting. Teji motioned for her daughter to come closer and sit on the couch with her. Heer did as she was told. Teji covered the mouth piece and whispered that it was a distant relative that wanted to speak with her. Heer sighed as she took the phone from her mother's hand. She wasn't in the mood to chit-chat with someone she considered a complete stranger. Even if they were a distant relative and she had met them briefly when she was five years old; she couldn't remember them so how could she even pretend to know who they were. Heer smiled and politely chatted for a few minutes and then handed the phone back to her mother. She was about to leave when her mother motioned for to her to sit back down. "I need to talk to you," Teji whispered.

Heer sat on the couch feeling uncomfortable. She had suddenly broken out in a cold sweat as she felt this unnerving sensation that the conversation with her mother was somehow going to involve Prashant. And if things progressed the way she thought they would she would have to confess to her mother that she was secretly dating Prem. Her imagination took control as it played out the different scenarios in her head of her mother's reaction. The first, complete disownment for disgracing the family honor and being dragged out of the house. The second, a slap on the face some crying and arguing that would wake up her father who would then disowns her and drag her out of the house. The third, a huge blow out ending with her being forcefully dragged to the nearest temple to get married to Prashant. The fourth, understanding and support from her mother and an agreement to break her engagement with Prashant so she could get engaged with Prem. Heer was hoping that the fourth scenario would come true. She glanced over as her mother bid the caller a farewell.

"So..." her mother gently started. "Prashant's been in town for a week?"

"He dropped by out of the blue. I had no idea he was coming. Did you know about?" Heer probed.

Teji was surprised by her daughter's accusatory tone. "I didn't know anything about...your father on the other hand...I wouldn't put it pass him. I heard you were keeping in touch with Prashant on the phone? "

"Um, yea," Heer nervously replied.

Teji took her daughter's hand into her own, "I know it's hard trying to make a connection with someone you hardly know...I'm really proud of you." Heer felt a sudden sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Why did her mother have to go and praise her now? "Do you like him?" Teji asked.

Heer's eyes widen, "Mom!" she exclaimed.

Teji chuckled, "Sorry, too soon to ask that question? You still have some time. He seems like a nice boy." Heer's stomach continued to tighten uncomfortably. "Have you talked about where you will be living? India? London...you loved London when you went there for a year. I distinctly remember you saying you wanted to move back and live there. That would make Prashant happy. Or have you fallen for Canada now?" Heer felt herself go tongued tied unable to interrupt her mother's ramblings. "You've been spending so much time here at the Junejas I'm sure it will be hard for you to leave them...sweet Kulraj, dependable Kiran, cute Rishi, stylish Veera, hardworking Harman, that jokester Preet, and that heart of gold Prem. He's such a good boy...any mother-in-law would be happy if she got a son-in-law like him." An extreme amount of guilt was weighing on Heer as her mother went on about Prem. "He's definitely the apple of Gayatri's eye...she'll not settle for just anyone to be her son's wife or her daughter-in-law. I don't know why but I get a distinct feeling she's already made her own decision who she wants..."

"Mom," Heer finally uttered.

Teji smiled, "Yes Beta?"

"Um, there's something I have to talk to you about," Heer slowly spoke.

"Of course, what is it?" Teji replied.

"See...the thing is---" Heer started but was soon interrupted by the ringing of the phone. Teji picked it up and warmly greeted the caller on the other end. Heer sat there for a few minutes wondering how much longer was this agony going to last. Her mother then motioned for her attention. "It's Pooja Auntie...you know how she talks. Pick up this conversation later?" she whispered covering the mouth piece of the phone. Heer nodded and left the pool house feeling slightly relieved that the talk didn't happen but still fearful for the next conversation.

***************************************************

Prashant slipped off his shoes and smiled feeling the relaxing comfort of the soft carpet underneath his feet. He switched on the TV to mask the silence of being in a lonely hotel room by himself and rubbed his lower back which was still smarting from the nasty fell he had a few days back. He then quickly grabbed his pajamas and headed towards the bathroom to get ready for bed. It had been a long day. He had woken up early to pick up his future-in-laws and was glad he was able to spend some time with them. He was hoping to spend some quality time with Heer but as usual things didn't turn out the way he had hoped. The moment they came back from picking up her and her sister's things from the townhouse she ran up the stairs to go and work on her paper. He was left to spend time with the Juneja brothers. Preet was fun as usual; his zest for life and excitement amazed Prashant to no end. He was the polar opposite of his elder brother, Prem who remained reserved throughout the entire exchange. Prashant didn't know why but he had an odd feeling that Prem did not like him very much. Harman was a mixture of the two brothers, a bit of a quirky bookworm type; head in the books but had big dreams in the clouds. By mid afternoon he was called away for a business meeting that had started off rocky but ended on a positive note. He then went back to the Juneja household to have dinner and was mildly surprised at being invited to watch a movie with the youngsters of the house. He had a great time despite not being able to talk to Heer very much. His relationship with his fiance was moving slowly but he figured she was still not use to having him around. The next couple of weeks he was determined to change that. He would become her friend and from there he hoped the rest would take its course.

What struck Prashant the most from the times he spent with the Junejas was the amount of love and joy that was present at the household. It made him long to see his parents. He had spent most of his youth away at boarding school and the only quality time he had with his parents were the three short weeks of winter and summer vacation. Even still his father was always busy with work and his mother with her woman society functions. So he focused his energies in his studies to alleviate the loneliness he felt. As a result he climbed up the ladder of academic success quickly, receiving praise and admiration from students and teachers alike. He never failed to be on the Dean's List and graduated with the highest honors in high school, college, and graduate school. His work life was no different. His parents were extremely proud of him; parties were thrown in his honor but Prashant never got the emotional recognition that he craved from them. It was always good job, a pat on the back, and a nod of the head not how are you doing, when are you coming back, or don't work too hard.

Prashant emerged from the bathroom toothbrush clenched in his mouth as he heard his cell phone ringing. "Hello?" he answered. "Father?"

"Why do you sound muffled?" Rajeev Chabaria replied.

Prashant removed his toothbrush from his mouth, "Oh, sorry...I was brushing my teeth."

"You went to the airport this morning? Rajeev asked.

"Yes, I picked them up and dropped them off at the Junejas," Prashant replied.

"How is your relationship with Heer?" his father quickly inquired.

"Um, it's going..." Prashant hesitantly admitted.

"Well, I certainly hope it's going somewhere. You're engaged...take her out...wine and dine her...make her feel more comfortable. Everything is riding on your relationship with her," Rajeev instructed.

Prashant sighed, "I know."

"I don't want Balraaj regretting his decision," Rajeev continued.

"Don't worry. I'll take care of everything. I always do," Prashant replied.

"Yes you do. I'm counting on that," Rajeev said. "I'll send you those documents that need to be signed. Mr. Jefferson was very pleased with the meeting this afternoon. Good job. Sorry, I have to go...another call is coming in...it's an important one I have to take. Goodnight."

"Thanks Father and goodnight," Prashant replied and hung up the phone.

****************************************************

Pre-Cap:

Chapter 36: Pass or Fail

Lots of questions to answer:

What do Heer and Prem actually do during the moonlight at 1 am?

Will Heer and Meher pass or fail their driving test?

What are Maya's impressions of the Juneja siblings?