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Part 7: Trust
Heer strolled around the ladies department at Macy's with Ashlesha and Sanjana enjoying her shopping time with her friends. She was feeling happy, stress free, and all so glad the weekend had started. "I seriously still can't believe you did that Heer. That took a lot of guts," Ashlesha said as she pulled out a blue tank dress from the rack to inspect.
"Did you text Veera?" Sanjana asked. "You know she wanted updates on the situation while she's away on the cruise."
"Yes I did," Heer replied. "And received a whole bunch of angry text messages back. But I think it was right thing to do considering everything. And to tell you truth it has been really nice this past week not having to call or make plans to go out with someone. I kind of like this single life I'm living."
"You say that now but by the end of next week you'll be wishing for someone to cuddle up with," Ashlesha replied.
"Question is which one?" Sanjana asked. "By the way, you never gave us your Pros and Cons on Prem."
"I'm very interested in this list," Ashlesha added. "After that coffee date seems like things are getting a bit warmer between you two, huh?"
"I haven't talked to him since. I'm trying to be fair here," Heer replied.
"Fair? You've been dating Raj for two years. Prem just suddenly showed back up and you've only had one coffee date with him...and well, there was that one steamy night together...but that night doesn't really count...you guys were just letting your hormones go," Sanjana said. "I think Raj has an advantage here,"
"Are you suggesting I start dating Prem?" Heer asked.
"I actually have to agree with Sanjana on this one," Ashlesha said. "I think you should spend some time with him and see if it's just the memories or if something is still there."
"Veera will have your heads for this," Heer laughed.
"I'm not telling you to hop back into bed with him. Of course that is up to you if you really want to. You've officially called a time out on your relationship so why not have some fun?" Ashlesha advised.
"I don't want to get into more trouble than I'm already in," Heer said.
"Then don't go that route. But at least have a few lunches or dinners with the guy. Can't hurt right?" Sanjana said.
"I suppose," Heer replied.
"Okay so this list...are you going to tell us?" Sanjana inquired.
Heer chuckled, "Well, if I had to list...physical traits first...his eyes...he's got this way of communicating with them that...gosh, it's just hard to explain...but yeah his eyes."
"Okay so we have eyes," Ashlesha noted. "What else?"
"His smile, his hands...he's got really nice hands...his hair...it's really soft...and his back...nice broad back that you just want to hug," Heer added.
"You're getting better at this," Sanjana replied causing Heer to chuckle.
"I don't know about that. I'm just saying things off the top of my head. Um, and the negatives...he's really stubborn, he's a workaholic...takes his work a little too seriously sometimes...stresses out very easily. He doesn't like discussing things on an empty stomach...he's even paused a fight once just so he could make himself a sandwich...I'm trying to talk to him about something and he's over there eating like nothing's wrong...drives me insane," Heer rattled off.
"Sounds like you have more negatives for Prem," Sanjana said. "Any positives?"
"He's unpredictable at times...keeps me guessing but in a good way...like the way he sent me the bouquet of flowers. He can be pretty romantic when he wants to be...and when he is its hard not to fall for him. He's got goals...plans ahead in life...sense of responsibility," Heer said.
"Sounds like they're pretty even to me," Ashlesha replied. "It depends on what you really want."
"What I really want?" Heer mused. "Hmmm...what I really want...what I really want is some ice cream," she laughed causing her friends to roll their eyes.
"Heer!" they yelled.
"I'm sorry I can't make a decision just like that based off of some list. They both have qualities I like and dislike about them," Heer explained.
"Well, what does your heart tell you?" Sanjana asked.
"It tells me that I would feel a lot better with some ice cream," Heer joked. Ashlesha and Sanjana shook their heads frowning at her words. "All right," she relented seeing how her friends were not amused by her attitude, "It's really confusing and scary. Trust is a really hard thing to build back up once it's been broken. If I go back to Prem what guarantee do I have that he won't leave me again? I don't want to be constantly looking over my shoulder or suspicious of him...that's no way to have a relationship."
"You're right. But you have to ask yourself do you still love him?" Sanjana asked. "If you guys still love each other maybe you guys could make it work again. Why else did he suddenly come back into your life?"
"Are you saying God's trying to tell me something?" Heer asked.
"We seldom get a second chance," Ashlesha answered. "It's either that or your final goodbye."
Heer instantly felt a tug in her heart when she heard the words final goodbye. She didn't like hearing it and stood there silently contemplating their conversation. Then suddenly their cell phones started buzzing. The girls all checked their phones and smiled. "Nihaal finally purposed," Heer happily announced.
"What a gorgeous ring!" Sanjana squealed.
"Veera got what she wanted...she must be in heaven right now. She's on a romantic cruise with her boyfriend turned fiance...can't get any better than that," Ashlesha giggled.
"Let's get some ice cream to celebrate!" Heer exclaimed.
"Gosh you and your ice cream," Sanjana replied as she followed her out of the store.
"Maybe she should dump both guys and go out with the owner of the ice cream store instead," Ashlesha whispered sarcastically to Sanjana.
"I heard that," Heer shouted causing both friends to stop giggling.
Heer smiled as she exited her apartment building. It was a few minutes before dusk and she felt like taking a leisure stroll around her neighborhood. It had been a comfortable Sunday. She had slept in, had breakfast for lunch, successfully completed the New York Times crossword puzzle, and managed to complete a thirty minute yoga session. She had been trying to get back into exercising again but was having trouble sticking to the routine because of work and pure laziness. Heer pulled her hair up into a ponytail and begin walking. She smiled at the neighborhood florist and waved at some of her neighbors who were walking home. She then went into the local convenience store to pick up a bottle of lemon-lime Gatorade; her favorite flavor. "Hi Al," she cheerily greeted.
"Heer, it's nice seeing you again," he smiled.
"I haven't seen you in awhile...everything okay? You're second cousin was running your store for a bit," Heer said.
"My mother had hip surgery," he replied.
"Oh, so sorry to hear about that. How's she doing?" Heer asked.
"She's doing fine. Bed rest and everything. We finally convinced her to stay at our place so we could take care of her. She kept saying she didn't want to be a bother and inconvenience us. I'm like Ma how can you say that...inconvenience? I'm your son it's my duty to take care of you. Every since Pop died my wife and I have been trying to get her to move in with us. But no she wouldn't budge...didn't want to leave her friends, the house, and well the life she sort of made for herself up there. I can understand but with her hip problems I was always worried," Al explained.
"Well, maybe after this experience she'll think about moving down," Heer said.
"I hope so," Al replied.
"How much?" Heer asked.
Al waved his hand, "On the house...and here you go a free packet of gum as well."
"Thanks Al," Heer said. "I'll make you a batch of cookies. Does your Mom like chocolate chip?"
"She loves them," Al grinned.
"Take care and say hi to Tina and the kids for me," Heer smiled.
"I will. See you later sweetie," Al waved.
Heer exited the store and continued her way down the street. She had just crossed a major intersection when she spotted Prem coming out of a restaurant with Roshni. She was hanging onto him and he didn't seem to care. Heer continued to stare clutching the Gatorade bottle tightly in her hand trying to control the anger she was feeling inside. She wondered how long it would take him to notice her standing there and began counting in her head.
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Prem sighed to himself wondering how he ended up in this situation as he made his way out of the restaurant and towards the sidewalk. He turned his head towards the road to see if there were any cabs he could call for when he caught sight of Heer standing in front of him. He noted the way she was gripping a Gatorade bottle in her hand and knew if he didn't say something soon she'd throw the thing at him. But before he could say anything Roshni started talking as she suddenly noticed Heer's presence, "Oh hi Heer," she greeted cheerily. She purposely hung herself tightly onto Prem and rested her hand on his chest. Prem frowned and removed her hand pushing her slightly away from him. Roshni stumbled a bit but didn't care and continue her advances. "Remember that night in the hot tub?" she giggled as she tried caressing his face.
"What are you blabbering about?" Prem replied angrily as he swat her hand away. "Nothing like that happened." He looked over at Heer with a fearful expression. He was expecting the Gatorade bottle to go flying up into the air towards him but it didn't. Instead Heer walked to the side of the road and waved her hand calling for a taxi. A few seconds a yellow cab was waiting at the curb side. Prem looked at her trying to understand what she was doing.
"She's drunk isn't she?" Heer finally spoke.
A complete sense of relief washed over him, "Yea, she'd call me up saying she wanted to talk business...stupid to come I know...but I really thought she wanted to talk about some of the projects she took over when I left the firm...anyways this what I found," motioning with his hands, "when I showed up...drunk," Prem answered.
Roshni giggled, "I'm not drunk. I prefer the term happy. Well I'm not really happy because you don't like me very much do you? Why don't you like me Prem?"
Prem sighed, "Not this again. I think I've already explained this to you."
"What does she have that I don't?" Roshni pouted pointing at Heer. Heer stared at Roshni feeling rather sorry for her; that she had to resort to this dramatic drunken display just so she could be in contact with Prem. The only reason Prem was even tolerating some of her antics was because she was too drunk to stand up straight. "Tell me...what does she have?" Roshni pushed.
"A lot," Prem simply stated staring at Heer.
Heer felt her cheeks flush red underneath his piercing gaze and tired looking away. "Hey is anyone getting into the cab? I don't have all day now!" the cabbie yelled ruining the moment.
"Yeah, sorry," Prem answered. He turned his attention back to Roshni and said, "Okay into the cab you go." He pushed Roshni into the backseat and then went to tell the cabbie the address to her apartment.
"Prem, I don't think it's a good idea to just send her home by herself," Heer advised.
"Why? She'll be fine," Prem replied.
"She just passed out," Heer explained pointing to the sleeping figure in the backseat.
"Oh man," Prem whined. "This just keeps getting better."
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Several minutes later Heer and Prem were sitting in the back seat with Roshni passed out in between them. Roshni kept falling over towards Prem's side of the seat causing him to get really irritated. Every time she touched him he'd push her back into the middle position. Even though he knew Heer understood Roshni was passed out and not doing it on purpose, he didn't want her to think he was somehow okay or enjoying the physical contact.
"It's okay Prem," Heer said noticing the situation that was happening.
"No, it's not okay," Prem replied. "Anyways we're almost there." The cab slowed to a stop and parked on the side of the road in front of a large brownstone apartment complex. He pulled Roshni out of the cab while Heer went to pay the fair. Prem did his best to support the unconscious figure in his arms; the weight of the limp body was unexpectedly heavier than it seemed. "Thanks for the help Heer," he said.
"It's fine," she replied and reached into Roshni's purse to find her keys. "Which one is it? You know?"
"I think it's one of the silver ones?" Prem answered.
Heer went to the door and luckily the first silver key she tried clicked and they made their way into the complex. "The elevator is under repair," she announced with a worried face.
"Figures my luck," Prem replied and bent down low so he could place Roshni on his back. "Okay...she lives in apartment 205...thank goodness it's only two flights of stairs." Heer walked ahead of Prem but turned back every few steps to make sure he was okay. They eventually made it to the second floor. Heer stood in front of Roshni's apartment door for several minutes before locating the correct key. Prem hurriedly walked into the apartment and placed Roshni down on the couch. "Okay let's go," he said.
Heer looked at the position Roshni was in on the couch and sighed. Her head was face down in the pillows and her feet were hanging off. "We can't just leave her like that," she protested.
"Why not? She's in her own apartment now...safe and sound on the couch," Prem replied.
"I forget how heartless you can be sometimes. Look at her position she could suffocate. Let's at least move her to her bedroom," Heer said and went over to the couch.
Prem frowned and walked over. "Heer, let me do this," he said and picked Roshni back up onto his back. "Okay to the bed room."
Once in the bed room Heer commanded, "Roll her on her stomach and make sure her head is to the side just in case she ends up throwing up."
"Anything else you want to do? Should we change her clothes too...into her PJs while we're here...might as well, right?" Prem sarcastically asked.
"Prem," Heer warned. "Regardless of how she's been treating you...you can't leave her like this. I've actually heard of a lot of cases where people have died choking on their own vomit because they were unconscious and sleeping on their backs." Heer grabbed the trash can from the bathroom and placed it by the bed. "Anyways, she's kind of sad if you think about it. Doing all these things just to get your attention," she said.
"How can you be so nice?" Prem asked.
"I'm not being nice. I kind of pity her and her situation," Heer answered.
"Can we please leave now?" Prem pleaded. Heer nodded her head and they exited the apartment. "So, you wanna grab a bite to eat?" Prem asked when they made it out onto the street. "It's dinner time anyways and it's the least I can do for troubling you."
The advice that Ashlesha and Sanjana had given ran through Heer's head and she smiled. They were right if she was really going to make a choice she had to know her options fully. She was on a break from her relationship with Raj so technically she could actually go out with Prem. "Okay," Heer answered.
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They caught a cab and rode back uptown near Heer's neighborhood. They found a nice relaxing pizzeria to eat at. Dinner went smoothly; the conversation light but engaging. It was well past eleven when Prem walked Heer home. They stood on the sidewalk outside Heer's apartment complex ready to say their goodbyes. A strange silence fell between them as they looked at each other; neither one knowing how to start. Heer was starting to feel the nervous butterflies in her stomach again and wondered why they had to act up now. Prem stuffed his hands inside his black leather jacket and fidgeted nervously as he glanced around him.
"Thanks for dinner Prem," Heer finally said.
"You're welcome," he replied with a smile. "Thanks for understanding...everything that was happening with Roshni tonight."
"I counted," she simply replied. Prem's face lit up into a wide grin. "Though it was for a different reason at first...I was wondering how long it was going to take you to notice me but the counting actually help me see what was really going on."
"I was afraid you were going to chuck the Gatorade bottle at me," Prem laughed. "I thought I was going have a black eye or a concussion." Heer laughed along with him for a few minutes and then they both went into the awkward silence again. Prem glanced about him and then started, "So, I guess---" but didn't get to finish when Heer suddenly blurted out, "Do you wanna come up for a night cap?" She stood there thinking why she even offered. But now that the words had left her mouth she couldn't take them back. "We're on a break," she found herself explaining to him. It was the second impulsive thing she had said that night.
Prem who had been trying to decide if he should take her up on the offer felt his heart leap in his chest when he heard her utter she was on a break. He didn't know what that exactly meant between her and Raj; if they were heading for a breakup or just taking some time apart but he figured it was a good sign. He didn't want to rush into anything because he knew that would be disastrous after all the progress they were making but he couldn't let go of this chance either. He smiled deciding that he should take the opportunity to see where all this was leading. He didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable by shooting her offer down. "Sure," he simply stated.
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Prem sat on the couch and surveyed the two roomed apartment that Heer was living in. It had an open floor plan design making the place feel even more spacious than it really was. From the living room he could see the kitchen and dining room. The master bedroom, which was located behind the living room, had elegant French doors that added a touch of luxury to the apartment. The second bedroom and bathroom where located down a little hallway to the right of the main entrance.
"Coffee's ready," Heer said as she walked into the living room with the serving tray. She was feeling a little more relaxed than before. This was Prem after all and not a complete stranger she had invited into her home she reasoned to herself. There was no need to think anything more or make this a bigger deal than it was. They were just having some coffee together.
"Oh great, thanks," Prem replied sitting up on the couch. "Nothing's good on TV tonight."
"Really not even Food Network?" she asked.
"It's an old re-run of Iron Chef," Prem replied. "Not a particular exciting battle."
"Do you want to watch a movie instead?" Heer suggested taking a sip of her coffee.
Prem smirked, "Sure," and ran to the DVD stand before Heer could get to it first. He blocked her view with his body. "Let's see...has your taste in movies improved or gotten worse?"
"Prem!" Heer yelled trying to move past him. "That's not fair. Stop blocking me."
"Ugh...The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, Notting Hill, Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, Kate and Leopold...How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days...now that was actually pretty funny...Something About Mary...hilariously disturbing...Love Actually...didn't mind that one too much. Okay now were getting to some better ones...Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter...Batman Begins...whoa you actually have this?" Prem said. "...and the Dark Knight?"
Heer tried pushing him away so she could have some say in what movie they would be watching but Prem just stood there like a rock not moving. He had one arm out blocking her attempts. Heer decided to jump on top of his back to knock him down but the planned backfired when Prem caught her leg in one hand and wouldn't let go. "Prem!" she shrieked. "I'm going to fall."
"Stop wiggling and you won't fall," he replied. "I've got you."
"Why won't you let me pick?" Heer asked clinging onto his shoulders.
"Because I don't want to watch some chick flick like Ever After or Clueless...Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood...what the heck is this Heer?" Prem asked.
"It's a good movie the Ya-Ya Sisterhood was actually a book first...it's a mother-daughter relationship type of film...funny and touching at the same time," Heer answered.
"Yea, definitely not that one," Prem replied.
"I'm not in the mood to watch an epic or an action film," Heer said resting her chin on his shoulder. "No Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, or Batman."
Prem frowned, "Okay that doesn't live much to choose from."
"How about Shrek?" Heer asked.
"Which one...the first the one or the second one?" Prem answered.
"Let's watch the second one. I love Puss in Boots," Heer replied.
"Okay," Prem said and slowly let Heer down. He felt her playfully push him causing him to break out into a sly smile. "No changing now," he said as he turned around to face her. He held the DVD above his head while she tried reaching for it. "Give me the DVD Prem," she ordered. He smirked as he kept moving it from out of her reach. "Not until you promise you won't change the movie," he requested. Heer glared at him. "I promise," she said. Prem smiled and handed her the DVD. He received a little punch to the stomach for his antics.
"Had to make sure. You always change the DVD on me," Prem grinned rubbing his stomach.
She stuck her tongue out at him. "That's because you'd make me watch some stupid action movie like Resident Evil."
Prem shrugged his shoulders and collapsed onto the right side of the couch making himself comfortable. Heer sat on the far end tucking herself in amongst the large cushions on the couch and started the movie. An hour and thirty minutes later the credits started rolling and Prem yawned sleepily as he got up off the couch. He put on his leather jacket and started walking towards the door. Heer followed him and as they stood there facing each other the strange silence once again fell between them. Prem thoughtfully gazed at her amazed that the night had ended so well. Heer found herself wishing that he didn't have to go and before she realized what she was saying she offered, "It's pretty late. Do you want to stay over?"
Prem stood there a bit stunned by her words. She was actually inviting him to stay over. As much as he wanted to he knew he shouldn't. He had to show her that he wasn't just interest in another heated night in bed together he wanted more; a life with her. "Um, I have a meeting tomorrow morning with my friend...well, client...you know how I told you about some projects some of my friends have been wanting me to do for them...you know now that I left the firm...I have time to do some of those things for them...yeah..."
"Oh, yeah right," Heer replied feeling like she had just made a complete fool out of herself. It wasn't that she was expecting them to sleep together again though the thought did briefly cross her mind. She was just hoping he'd stay over.
"But how about lunch tomorrow?" Prem asked. "If you're free that is...I know you have that report you're working on at the courthouse."
"There's some nice restaurants around that area," Heer replied. "If it's not too far for you to come..."
"No, no...lunch tomorrow then?" Prem confirmed.
"I'd like that," Heer smiled.
"I'll call you when I'm nearby," Prem grinned as he exited out into the hallway. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight," Heer waved and then closed the door. She leaned her back against the white door and put her hand on her forehead in shock. "I can't believe I asked him to stay...but I at least got a lunch out of it," she paused thinking briefly what it meant and then broke out into a wide smile, "lunch..."
Prem walked towards the elevator and pressed the call button beaming with joy. He was one step closer to getting Heer back. He felt like they had crossed a major hurdle with how they both handed the Roshni situation. He decided that he wouldn't try to make any passes at her until she gave a clear indication that she had forgiven him. He didn't want to do anything to jeopardize the current status of their relationship. It was hard enough to deal with all the emotional issues they had and adding the physical element into the mix would just cloud Heer's judgment. He wanted her to want him back for the right reasons.
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---Grace
Cricket
CID
