Helloooooooooooooooooooooooo!
I've personally commented to those that left comments!
Thanks again to those that Commented and/or Hit the Like Button š
*waves to any silent readers out there āļø
As I have stated before this roller coaster is far from over. Again apologies for any illogical plot lines and things happening. I'm trying to hurry up and finish this Prashant saga that it has become š¤¢
Chapter 42: Private Detectives
Prem and Heer both glanced at each other nervously wondering what was going on. Teji closed the door to the room and sighed. Heer looked at her mother waiting for her to start the conversation and was surprised when her mother turned her gaze towards Prem. "Prem, you remember what I told you last night?" she asked. He nodded his head and looked at her not quite sure if he should say anything. "I released you of all responsibilities, didn't I?" she continued. "And you didn't say a word to me."
Prem sat there dumbfounded not sure how to continue. "Haa Auntie. I didn't know what to say...I have to confess I didn't understand at the time," he replied.
"And now?" she asked.
"I wished I had told you that I loved your daughter," he replied. Heer stood there slightly stunned that this was what had transpired between them at the party. "I love her still," Prem continued.
"Heer," Gayatri called as she interjected herself into the conversation. "How do you feel about Prem?" Her voice was stern and her face rigid.
Heer felt nervous underneath the gaze of the two adults as they waited for her to answer. "I love him too," she replied lifting her eyes to meet Gayatri's gaze.
Gayatri broke out into a soft smile and pulled her into a hug. "I knew it," she replied happily.
Prem was overjoyed at his mother's acceptance of Heer's love for him but he knew this was far from over. He didn't know how Heer's mother was going to handle this. Would they receive her help or be refused? Teji caught the worried expression etched on Prem's face and gave him a small smile. "I'm with you. I just really wish you two could have said something sooner," she sighed.
"Mom'" Heer said looking at her mother. "I tired but..."
Teji came forward and cupped her face. "You always run away when you get scared," she replied shaking her head. "How could you not tell me this?"
"I just thought with Papa and everything and...well...it just happened so fast...and we didn't really know at the time..." Heer blabbered. Teji hugged her daughter trying to calm her down.
"I knew something was bound to happen the minute you two started living underneath the same roof," Gayatri laughed. "A secret like that can't be held long. I knew it when I came into the room...and when I split the water on me...I knew Heer would take care of him...like the way she did..."
Prem and Heer both turned their heads towards Gayatri in amazement. "You tricked us?" Prem asked.
"You knew?" Heer uttered.
"Haa, Beta I pretended to spill the water to see what you two would do. I saw through the mirror in the bathroom...I never closed the door now did I?" she said and then slightly shook her head, "my son has turned into such a romantic yet naughty boy...making Heer wipe your mouth?" Prem felt himself turn two shades of red. He wanted nothing more than to hide underneath his covers. Gayatri laughed, "Ah, reminds of Lalit. You've definitely inherited his romantic nature."
Heer stood there and looked down unable to meet anyone's gaze completely embarrassed. Teji grinned and patted her cheek. "He sounds like a complete hand full. You'll have a lot to handle in the future."
Heer felt her cheeks go warm, "Mommmm," she whined causing the two women in the room to laugh.
"Ah, yes the future," Gayatri said with an air of hope. "We must do something about that."
"You two realize you have made it a lot harder on us...telling us so late," Teji sighed.
The young couple both looked at their mothers and apologized. "Sorry," they both said.
"Heer," Teji began shaking her head, "your father has given his word..."
"You're not giving up are you?" Gayatri asked interrupting in alarm. "I'll make Lalit talk to him about this."
"Of course not but you know how men are. They can be so stubborn at times especially when it comes to their word and honor," Teji replied. "I'll have a talk with him as well."
Heer hugged her mother tightly, "Thank you!"
Prem got out of bed and went to touch Teji's feet. "Thank you," he said.
Teji patted his cheek and gave a very motherly warning, "You should be back in bed young man." Prem grinned and nodded his head.
"Come Teji we have some things to talk about. Let's leave them be," Gayatri said as she lead the way out.
Once the mothers had left Prem hugged Heer tightly and pulled her down with him onto the bed. They were in a fit of giggling celebration. "This is great!" Prem replied with a huge grin. "Just one step closer to booting Prashant out of here!"
"Prem," Heer said with a frown.
"Oh don't tell me you actually like hanging out with the guy?" Prem asked.
"No, but I can't help feeling a little bad for him especially after what Harman did to him today," she replied.
"What did he do?" Prem asked getting excited thinking it was some sort of physical injury that would put him out of commission for a few days or weeks. Heer noted the glint in his eye and slightly shook her head. "So, are you going to tell me or do I have to guess?"
"Harman used laxatives on him," Heer answered.
Prem laughed heartily holding his stomach, "Oh, man laxatives...haha...way to go Harman!" He then groaned as he felt a ting of shooting pain spasm through his head.
"I knew you shouldn't have gotten too excited," Heer warned as she gently patted his cheek. "You need to finish eating dinner and then take your medicine." He gave a half nod and sat back up. Much to Prem's disappointment Heer handled the bowl to him so he could feed himself.
*********************************************** A few minutes later Prem was propped up against the headboard of the bed cuddling with Heer. He gently ran his fingers through her long silky hair admiring how it felt against his skin. "Heer, did you lock the door?" he asked.
She raised her head, "No, but why?"
"So, no one else will come in here and see us like this," he replied.
"We're not doing anything and pretty much everyone knows except for our fathers and well, Kiran and Kulraj," Heer said. She then stared at him trying to read his thoughts, "Prem, I can't sleep here tonight and you know it. Our mothers may be on our side but I really don't think they would approve of our behavior especially since we don't have a name to this relationship."
"Woah, a name to this relationship?" Prem repeated. "Now, you're talking old fashion."
"You know what I mean," Heer sighed.
Prem caressed her cheek and reflectively spoke, "We're dating...and hopefully sometime soon you'll become my fiance," then inching his lips closer to hers, "...my wife."
"Is that so?" Heer replied against his lips. Prem nodded with a smirk. "And what if I say no?" she playfully replied as she pushed him away.
"You can't hide from me," he said lunging after her only to land flat on the bed as she slipped out of his grasp in time. Heer giggled and ran to the door to lock it before anyone interrupted their playful flirting. She came back to the bed only to have Prem roll away from her. "Was that a rejection of my proposal?" he muttered.
Heer pulled at his shoulder, "Stop acting like a baby. You know how I feel about you." He ignored her and pushed her hands away from his shoulder. Heer grinned knowing exactly what to do next as she dropped down on her hands and knees. She placed a kiss on his cheek. When he continued to ignore her she began slowly nibbling on his ear. Prem tried not to smile pretending he was still upset with her. But he was having a hard time he felt his body reacting to each and every kiss Heer gave him. Prem stared at the headboard concentrating at the color and the design. He eventually moved his thoughts on to something like sports statistics and other random and distracting things his mind could think of. Heer wasn't going to give up so easily she knew sooner or later he would cave. She smiled against his jaw line as she kissed across it; Prem shifted his head so she couldn't reach his lips which to her delight gave her more access to his neck. She spread feathery light kisses down his neck and then smirked as she gently licked the crook of his neck. Prem's eyes widen in shock as he felt a hundred tingling sensations shoot through his body. He never thought Heer would be this bold. "Are you still mad?" Heer whispered against his ear. Prem felt a wave of shivers go down his spine as her breath made contact against his skin. He quickly turned around unable to keep away from her any longer and captured her lips. Heer giggled as he rolled his body on top of her eagerly expressing the passion he felt inside for her.
After several minutes Heer pulled away much to Prem's disappointment. He pouted at her while she patted his cheek, "You have to go to bed. You have work tomorrow."
Prem sighed, "Don't remind me. I can't believe I have to work on a Sunday."
"But you're off the entire week next week aren't you?" Heer asked.
"Yea, I guess that's a fair trade off," he smiled. Heer tried to get up put Prem kept her pinned to the bed. She gave him a warning look which he ignored. He kissed her again enjoying the feel and taste of her mouth against his. Heer took the opportunity to roll herself on top so she could make her escape. She pulled away only to have Prem cup her face murmuring against her lips, "Don't go." She giggled as he nibbled against her lower lip. "I'll see you tomorrow Prem," she said as she removed his hands from her face. Heer made it to the door while Prem sat up in his bed with a slight frown. "Goodnight," she whispered and blew him a kiss. Prem grinned happily and fell dramatically down on the bed like he had been hit. Heer giggled at his silliness and quickly left the room before anyone caught them.
***********************************************
She smiled inwardly to herself as she flipped her long braided hair dramatic. She had noticed how everyone was starring at her. She mused to herself it was because of her stunning looks. She swung her hips ever so gently as she crossed the room to the luggage carousel. She grinned as a young man quickly approached her. "Yes?" she said in a sultry voice amused that she had a young admirer.
"Um, excuse but you have some toilet paper stuck to your shoe," he gently said.
She looked down at her shoe and was completely mortified. She politely nodded her thanks to the young man and quickly ran back to the restroom to take care of it. A few minutes later she picked up her luggage from the baggage claim and went out the automatic doors of the Canadian International Airport. Ashlesha Maan...you can't hide from your mother forever. I'm finally here...she thought to herself as she walked towards the taxi cab line with a confident grin.
***********************************************
Prem rounded the corner of the lobby and walked towards the concierge desk to check in with his friend. "Hey Lucas how's it going today?" he asked.
"It's going," he laughed. "You know the usual. Mr. Sal keeps calling to see if his package has arrived yet even though he knows it always comes in at 4:30pm he still insists on calling every half hour. We always go through this during this time of the year with him."
Prem chuckled and patted his friend's shoulder. "Good old Mr. Sal." He then noticed that Lucas became distracted by something and turned his attention towards the restaurant lounge. "What's the matter?"
"It's nothing...I mean I know our policy is we shouldn't discriminate but I've seen that guy over there in the brown jacket come in here before and will he just doesn't fit...you know what I mean? He's always staring and sometimes makes some of the other guests uncomfortable. He hasn't done anything warranting us to ask him to leave so there's not much we can do. He always orders himself a drink and then eats like half a dish of peanuts waiting for guest 4202 to come down. They talk a little and then he leaves...sometimes they exchange things...I don't know maybe I'm being paranoid he could be just a business friend," Lucas explained.
"Did you say guest 4202?" Prem asked.
"Yeah," Lucas nodded.
"Can you do me a favor? Can you keep tabs on that guy and guest 4202 for me?" Prem asked.
"Yea, sure no problem," Lucas replied with a smile.
***********************************************
Barney Smith stared at the television screen above the bar silently popping peanuts into his mouth as he watched the sports channel. He really wished the hotel didn't mute the screens but he knew why they did it. He took a long gulp of his beer and pushed the communal peanut dish closer to him. He smiled as he felt the presence of the person he had been waiting for arrive.
"Mr. Smith," the man said with an exasperated voice. "I know I told you that we needed to meet. But must we always do it here?"
"How many times do I have to tell you stop calling me Mr. Smith. It's Barney," the fifty year old man said. "Besides I like the peanuts they serve here. And they have really good service."
"I would appreciate if I leave you a message you call me first or text me to tell me a location don't just keep showing up here," the man said rather annoyed.
"Look here," Barney said placing his hand on the shoulder of the young man sitting next to him. "You wanted to meet promptly and here I am...what's more convenient for you than this place? Let me worry about who's watching who, okay?" He then whispered, "They...the hotel...can't do anything...we aren't doing anything illegal. It's all business. Besides I won't saw anything and you know it."
The young man sighed, "Do you have the papers?"
"Of course why else would I have come?" Barney smiled crookedly. He slipped a large manila envelope onto the bar table.
"Thanks," the young man said and left the bar to head back to his room. He hopped into the elevator wondering how he got involved with a person like Barney Smith. As the elevator dinged announcing the arrival of his floor he took out his key card, number 4202 and flipped it back and forth in his hand waiting for the doors to open. He hurriedly made his way to his room and entered. He went to his laptop and clicked a few times on his mouse and then text messaged that the transfer of funds had been made. He then placed a phone call on his cell as he opened up the manila envelope. Despite the strangeness of Barney Smith he had to admit that the man did superb work. He flipped through several of the photos in his hand and smiled. "Hello father?" the young man greeted.
"Prashant. How are things?" Rajeev Chabaria asked.
"Just made another transfer. Things are going well. Mr. Smith is a bit strange but there's not much I can do about it. I guess that's the risk we take when dealing with a new contact like this. I thought of switching but decided against it because we don't need too many people knowing our business. It's best we stick with him all the way through. He does do reliable work I must say." Prashant answered.
"Good. You know what to do next. Make sure no one finds out," the senior Chabaria said.
"I know. I won't. We'll get what we both want," he replied and hung up the phone.
***********************************************
Ashlesha was talking animatedly to her aunt and uncle as she walked up the walkway to her apartment. "The maintenance staff is super nice. I had an issue with my air conditioning and called them up and the very next day they came back and fixed it."
"That's wonderful," Teji commented.
"It's good to know you're taken care of," Balraaj said.
Ashlesha reached for her keys to open the front down when it suddenly opened on its own. She stared in disbelief at the scary sight before her. "Mom?!" she yelled.
"Ashlesha! And oh, Balraaj, Teji, Heer, and Meher what a great bonus! And here I thought I was only going to be surprising my daughter," Daljit Maan squealed with delight. She hugged her daughter and then ushered everyone into the apartment.
"But how? Wh-what...how did you get into my apartment? How did you even know where I lived?" Ashlesha asked looking extremely confused.
"The address was on the postcard you sent me, silly. I must say I liked this new place a lot better than the other one you had. I talked to the lovely girls in the main office and explained I'm your mother. I even showed them pictures to prove it to them," Daljit explained. "Now, let's see everyone wants chai I suppose. I'll go and make some."
"Someone kill me now," Ashlesha mumbled under her breath. She grabbed Heer's arm, "Please don't let her stay with me. You know what's going to happen. For two days things will be fine and then we'll have a huge fight and I don't need that with school and everything."
Heer was sympathetic to her cousin's plight. She knew they had a rather rocky mother and daughter relationship. "I would offer but you know your mother is going to turn me down," Heer whispered back. "She's here to see you."
"But why did she have to come now? In the middle of the school year to harass me?" Ashlesha said. "I don't even know how long that woman is going to be staying here. I can't believe this is happening."
"You could just move in with us and let your Mom have your apartment," Meher joked.
Heer gave her sister a crossed look, "Don't give her any ideas."
"Come on it would be fun. We'd get to hang out. And Chachi will have her own place to fix and decorate," Meher giggled.
"OMG, she's going to want to redecorate my place. You know how I hate her decorating style," Ashlesha replied gagging a little.
"Didi, are you saying no to this idea because you won't be able to spend time with Prem alone?" Meher whispered grinning mischievously.
"Oh, he's a lover boy is he now?" Ashlesha teased momentarily forgetting her issue. "If he comes over we promise to leave the house." Meher nodded her head in agreement at her cousin's suggestion.
"Shut up," Heer replied as her cheeks turned pink. Meher and Ashlesha just stood there giggling and continued to make fun until the three of them were called into the kitchen to help.
***********************************************
There you go guys! Hope you enjoyed that.
I may not be able to post next week š I have a lot of school stuff going on and haven't had a chance to write. If you guys are lucky you may get one post for Friday š³ Sorry guys
Leave Comments!
---Grace š
Edited by iheartChai - 14 years ago
Pati Patni Aur Panga
