Thanks so much for those that Commented and/or Hit the Like Button! 😃
So I'm back again with another update. Sorry, for those waiting on the next chapter for All the Wrong Moves in All the Right Ways...I'm still writing the next chapter 😛
Part 16: What It All Means
Prem gently knocked on the front door of apartment 12-B hoping that someone was home. He knew after Heer had stormed off he was in serious trouble. He needed some advice and help on what to do next and simply to talk things out. He had gotten into his car and found himself aimlessly driving before he finally turned around and headed to his attended destination. To his relief the door open and Preet emerged. Before Prem could say anything his friend gravely said, "You made her cry."
Prem flexed his eyebrows, "Heer is..."
Preet did a quick glance behind him before closing the door. "She's talking to Meher in the kitchen. Dude, you're in big trouble. I went in there to get something to drink and the girls stopped talking and Meher was giving me the stink eye," he whispered.
Prem cursed. "I know I'm in big trouble. Things got a little out of hand. She went and visited my Mom while I was away at the conference. She knew I didn't want her to go. I didn't want her to get hurt by my Mom but she went anyway and then lied to me about it. I came home today and found a message left by my Mom asking to see her again but to keep it a secret from me. The tone in her voice did not sound good. And then the hospital called to speak to Heer. I was completely worried about what was going on. Then she came home acting all innocent like nothing happened and I just lost my temper. I your need help."
"Yeah, you need help," Preet sighed. "I don't know what I can do for you. Meher seems pretty put off by your behavior too."
Prem ran his fingers through his hair, "I know. Matters got even worse when I fainted after Heer told me she was pregnant."
"She's what?!" Preet shouted and then calmed himself down remembering they were in the hallway of his apartment complex. "Oh hell you are in a big load of sh*t. What the 🤬 is wrong with you?"
"I don't know," Prem replied.
"You happy about this or what?" Preet asked.
"Of course I'm happy about it. She's carrying my kid. But it was a bit of a shock I mean this was supposed to happen after we got married...not before," Prem said. "Do you think she'll let me talk to her now? I really want to apologize to her for my idiotic behavior."
Preet chewed on his lower lip pondering. "I don't know man." Prem gave him a pleading look. "Let me go talk to Meher first and I'll see if she'll let you in."
"Thanks Preet," Prem smiled.
"Don't thank me yet. You may be sleeping on the couch for awhile," his friend replied and slipped back into the apartment.
Prem frowned and then began pacing back and forth in front of the door hoping he'd get the chance to talk to Heer again. His heart started pounding wildly in his chest when he saw the door slowly crack open. It was Meher this time and she did not look all that pleased to see him. "Meher? I'm really sorry. Will she let me speak to her?" Prem asked.
"You mister...have been acting like a fool. What is wrong with you?" Meher asked with her arms crossed. "She was only doing all of this for your benefit and instead of listening to anything she had to say you just jumped down her throat. I know there are some huge issues revolving your mother and I don't blame you for being bitter but she is still your mother. She is still family, Prem. Now that Heer is pregnant there's going to be some sort of relationship between your kid and your mother. You're going to have to live with that fact. Whether you choose to have a relationship with your mother is one thing but don't keep others from trying to reach out." Prem just silently stood there bowing his head taking the lecture that Meher was giving him. She sighed, "I certainly hope your kid doesn't inherit that stupid brain of yours. Come in."
Prem raised his head and gave a thankful grin. "Thank you Meher. And I'm sorry."
"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to. She's in the kitchen," Meher said.
Prem took a deep breath and walked into the kitchen. Heer lifted her head briefly catching his gaze when he came in before turning her head away. He saw how puffy her eyes were, the ragged tissue she clutched in her right hand, and the half used box of Kleenex in front of her; Prem immediately felt ashamed for what he had done and fell to his knees. "I'm sorry Heer," he said. "I'm such an idiot I know. I overacted and lost my temper. I just didn't want to see you get hurt by my Mother but in the end I ended up hurting you the most. Please forgive me." Heer kept her head turned away from him and gently sniffled. Prem didn't know what else to do and then suddenly laid his head on her stomach. "Prem what are you doing?" Heer asked extremely frustrated. She tried pushing his head away but he just griped her waist with his hands refusing to budge. "So, what am I suppose to do now little one? Mommy's pretty upset with Daddy. Can you tell her that Daddy loves her lot? That I love you too and I'm happy...and I can't wait to hold you in my arms and welcome you into the world?" He felt a gentle touch underneath his chin. "Prem?" Heer asked hesitantly.
He lifted his head, "Of course I'm happy. How can I not be? I'm sorry I fainted. I don't know why...guess from the shock of the news since it was so unexpected." He took her hands into his. "I made a vow to you when I purposed to you...I want us to make a life together...to have kids...make our own family. I love you and our baby."
Heer hugged him tightly and closed her watery eyes. A few stray droplets fell and rolled down her face. Prem pulled back and shook his head wiping the tears with his thumbs. "I'm sorry I made you cry." She shook her head and sniffled. "I'm sorry I kept the truth from you about your Mother. I just didn't want you to look back twenty years from now and realize all that time you missed with her. I didn't want you to feel like you missed something while you were with me...or hate yourself later because of your decision."
Prem cupped her face, "You'd think I'd resent you? Heer, I would never do that..."
"No, I know you say that you won't now but she's still your mother Prem...you can't break a blood relation like that no matter how hard you try," Heer said. "I know there are a lot of issues. I know she will probably never like me. I don't want to force people into acting all fake and happy about being a family. But at least for our child...I do want some sort of relationship...a visit or two on a special occasion or holiday..."
Prem nodded his head, "Okay. But don't expect me to be all cordial if she says anything remotely bad about you." Heer gave an understand grin. "So what really happened between you and my Mom?"
"Nothing really. I went over to her house. I apologized that we didn't personally tell her ourselves that we had gotten engaged and I asked for her blessings," Heer explained. "She kept looking at the clock while we were talking...at the time I don't know if she needed to go some place or she felt rather bored. But she accepted my apology and then she said she didn't have the right to give blessings when her own son refuses to acknowledge his own mother." Prem eyes widened at her last comment. "I don't know what that means but it sounds like a sign she wouldn't mind talking to you. You can decide on your own what you want to do. Anyways, as I was leaving to go to my car I passed out. Your Mother found me and called 911 and I woke up in the hospital. That's when the doctor told me I had fainted because of my low blood sugar. He then informed me that I was pregnant."
"So Mom knows," Prem said.
"Yes, and she really didn't say much. I was rather irritated by the way she had been acting earlier when I was talking to her and when she said she needed to make a phone call...I kind of lost it and indirectly implied that she thought I got myself pregnant on purpose so I could keep you," Heer timidly said. "Turns out the phone call she needed to make was for a meeting she missed...because of my fainting spell. I think I messed that encounter up pretty badly."
"No you didn't," Prem said pulled her out of her chair so he was sitting down and she was sitting on his lap. He held her waist while she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"So, what do we do know?" Heer asked.
"I guess we have to take one step at a time. We'll need to inform your parents and I'm going to assume the wedding's going to be pushed up to cover our little transgression?" Prem said.
"Oh My God! I didn't even think about that. They'll probably want it to happen in the next month or so before I start showing," Heer said. "Everything we planned has just gone out the window! How are our families going to come?"
"Don't worry about it. I know it isn't ideal but those who can come will come. We could always just have a small private ceremony at the Mandir. I know you probably had other ideas in mind. I'm sorry I won't be able to give you the wedding of your dreams," Prem said.
Heer cupped his face, "You are my dream Prem. I just want to get married to you. I think the Mandir is an excellent idea. We'll need to start looking right away." Prem grinned and gave her a kiss. As he was about to deepen it he heard a rough cough from his friend announcing he was in the room. Heer turned a deep shade of red while Prem sheepishly grinned scratching the back of his head feeling rather embarrassed at being caught.
"Hey, don't mind us," Preet said with a smirk. "Just wanted to get something to eat for dinner. You two continue patching up." Meher rolled her eyes at her husband and gently slapped his arm as a warning. Preet just grinned even more.
"Oh, I'm...um we're sorry," Heer replied quickly and stood up. "We should probably go."
"Relax," Meher replied waving her hand. "Why don't you guys just stay for dinner?"
"I'll help you cook," Heer offered.
"No, you should rest. You fainted yesterday...you shouldn't do anything too strenuous," Prem instructed. "I'll help."
"I'm fine, Prem," Heer replied. "Cooking is not strenuous."
He shook his head and then looked at his friend. "Preet, make sure she doesn't step a foot inside this kitchen until we're finished cooking."
"No problem," Preet smiled and then bowed sticking his hand out. "Ms. Maan this way please, we've been ordered out of the kitchen." Heer shook her head softly laughing as she followed him into the other room.
*****************************************************************
Prem sat down on the couch and started to nervously shake his leg. He felt the gentle touch of Heer's hand resting on his knee. "Don't be nervous," she encouraged.
"It's hard not to be nervous. Why aren't you nervous?" Prem asked. "Your father just recently accepted me and now we have to tell him you're pregnant. He's going to kill me."
"He's not going to kill you," Heer replied not quite sure where this fear was coming from.
"But he'll know we had premarital sex," Prem explained.
"But we're getting married...you're taking full responsibility," Heer reasoned and gave him a comforting grin. "Okay I'm going to dial first and once someone picks up the phone I'll turn on the speaker phone. Ready?" Prem took a deep breath and nodded his head. He sat there anxiously waiting as Heer listened on the cordless phone for her mother or father to pick up the line. "Hi, Mom? What are you guys doing? Oh, you're in the kitchen making tea? Where's Dad? Oh, he's in the living room watching TV? Do you think you can go to the living room? I have...I mean we have something to talk to you about. I'm putting you on speaker phone okay?" Heer pushed the button on the phone and waited for her mother.
"I'm in living room," Teji reported.
"Are you sitting down?" Heer asked.
"No, I'm standing next to your father's recliner," Teji said. "What's the matter? Is something wrong?"
"No Mom nothing's wrong," Prem said.
"Oh, Prem how are you?" Teji greeted.
"I'm fine. How's Dad?" Prem asked.
"He's good. He's watching the game," Teji replied.
"Can you tell him to turn the game off for a few minutes?" Heer asked. "And why don't you sit down next to him."
"Are you sure something's not wrong?" Teji asked a bit worriedly.
"No, nothing's wrong," Heer reassured. She then glanced over at Prem and smiled, "It's good news."
"Okay, I'm sitting and the TV is off," Teji said. "So what's this good news?"
Heer felt Prem wrap his arm around her shoulder as an act of comforting support. "Well, Prem and I wanted to tell you that I'm pregnant. We're going to be parents. You're going to be grandparents," Heer happily announced. They heard the sound of something dropping and some rustling noises. "Mom?" Heer called in alarm. "Is everything all right? Hello? Mom?" She looked at Prem with worry as they continued to hear odd background noises. "Oh My God, did she faint?" she asked.
Prem patted her thigh, "Don't worry Sweetheart maybe something's wrong with their phone? Your Dad's there with her if something did happen."
"Hello?" Balraaj suddenly greeted. "Sorry, your mother just dropped the phone. Here let me put you on speaker phone. Your mother just told me. Congratulations!"
"Thank you Daddy!" Heer replied. Prem flexed his eyebrows and smiled. He was surprised by Balraaj's reaction but extremely happy he was taking the news well.
They then heard Teji in the background mumbling, "My baby is going to have a baby?"
"Why are you in shock? You're the one complaining about wanting to be able to see grandchildren and look your son-in-law just gave you one. You should be happy and nine months from now you will be able to see him or her," Balraaj said addressing his wife.
"Nine months..." Teji repeated and then suddenly became aware of the situation. "We have to prepare for a wedding within this month. Heer how many weeks are you?"
"Two weeks," Heer answered.
"Oh, okay. I'm flying back to help you take care of some things," Teji said and then addressing her husband. "I need to book a flight for tomorrow."
"Teji, tomorrow? What about work?" Balraaj asked.
"I have all this extra vacation time I never took," Teji said. "They'll understand."
"I'm sure they'll understand if you give them more advance notice. I'll get you one for next week. In the meantime I think the kids can handle the wedding plans. They've been doing it on their own for awhile," Balraaj reasoned.
"Okay fine. Heer, I'm coming next week," Teji informed.
"Mom, we've been thinking about just doing something really simple at the Mandir," Heer said.
"That sounds good. Make sure to call them and make sure there is a Priest available and there aren't any other activities they may be doing that would conflict with us," Teji advised. "I'll handle calling the family back in India. I'm make up some reason for the early wedding...we shouldn't let everyone know the real reason until you're further along in your pregnancy...need to keep the evil eye off of you. You try to take it easy and don't stress too much okay?"
"Okay Mom," Heer answered.
"And Prem you make sure she doesn't stress. It's not good for the baby," Teji instructed.
"Yes, I'll make sure she takes it easy," Prem replied.
"Heer, have you made a doctor's appointment yet? You should start taking some prenatal vitamins in the meantime. You should be able to get those at any pharmacy store like CVS or Walgreens. And I'll e-mail you a list of foods you should avoid," Teji said.
"I'll call and make an appointment on Monday. Thanks Mom. And I'm sorry about making you do all these things. Don't stress. I'll be fine. Prem's with me," Heer said.
"I won't. Just take care of yourself," Teji said. "Prem, I'm counting on you,"
"Don't worry, I'll take care of her," Prem answered.
"Talk to you later. I need to make those calls," Teji replied. "Bye."
"Bye," the couple said and hung up the phone.
Heer smiled at her fiance, "See nothing to worry about."
"Yeah, your Dad took it a lot calmer than your Mom. Is she going to be okay? She sounded a bit frazzled about all the things we have to get in order now," Prem asked.
"Dad's with her. He'll make sure to calm her down," Heer replied and leaned into Prem's embrace as they sat on the couch. She smiled brightly, "So you wanna start calling your family?"
"Might as well while we're at it. Madhuri Auntie is going to be ecstatic," Prem replied. "We should probably give her your Mom's phone number so they can coordinate on what excuse we have for an earlier wedding. Though I'm sure everyone's going to be able to figure out why."
"I suppose. But if we don't say anything they won't have any idea until nine months from now when we send them baby pictures," Heer said. "You do all the talking this time," handing him the phone.
Prem smiled, "Okay."
*****************************************************************
Heer stood in the bathroom checking her stomach in the full length mirror. She placed her hand on her still flat belly amazed that behind the layers of skin, muscle, and fat a small life was slowly growing inside of her. She slouched a little trying to protrude her stomach out in the attempts to understand what she would look like once she started showing. She then stood in various angles checking her chest wondering if they looked swollen. They didn't look all that different to her. She didn't feel any tenderness like the website stated could happen during the first two weeks of pregnancy but then again with symptoms it wasn't a guarantee that they would show up on time as suggested or even show up at all. She smiled pulling her tank top back down and went into the bedroom. Prem was sitting in the bed with his laptop intently studying something. "Watcha doing?" Heer asked as she slipped underneath the covers propping her pillow up to lean on the headboard.
"Just doing some reading. I have your Mom's list and I did a search about foods you shouldn't be eating. I was just checking out the American Pregnancy Association's website," Prem said.
"Oh, I was on their website last night. I read the pregnancy symptoms section," Heer replied.
"They state to avoid eating raw foods like fish, shellfish, and meats. They also said no Deli meat and no fish that have high mercury content like swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, and shark. They say you can eat other types in moderation. They have a whole list of fish and their mercury content and how much you may be allowed to eat. I'm going to have to get a little scale to measure things for you," Prem said. "I've already printed out a copy of this list along with your Mom's."
"Sounds like I'll be on a strict diet," Heer groaned.
Prem gave her a comforting pat on the cheek, "You'll be okay."
"So what else can I not eat?" Heer asked.
"Well, no smoked fish because it may contain bacteria called Listeria. No pate, unpasteurized milk, and soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, Feta, Gorgonzola, and Mexican style cheeses such as queso blanco and queso fresco," Prem reported. "Nothing that contains raw eggs. You need to stay away from creamy dressings and homemade dressings because they usually contain raw eggs. Just go for balsamic vinaigrettes instead. And you need to thoroughly wash raw vegetables before you eat them. And of course no alcohol."
"That last one I clearly knew," Heer said. "I can live with that."
"But can you say goodbye to Starbucks?" Prem asked.
Heer laid her head on his shoulder and whimpered, "This suck. You're going to have to deal with me being really grumpy in the mornings. Not having caffeine in the morning is going to be rough but once my morning sickness kicks in it's going to be horrible. I'm apologizing in advance for anything I say to you. Just ignore me."
"I will," Prem grinned. "Oh, it says it's probably best not to drink any tea either. I mean they list all these teas that maybe okay but some have no conclusive results in their studies. It's best to limit your caffeine intake as much as you can."
"Better safe than sorry...I won't have any tea," Heer said. "I'll just drink milk, juice, and water."
"There's a lot to read up on," Prem said as he shut down his laptop and put it on the nightstand.
"Yeah, I know..." Heer sighed as she cuddled with Prem. "Now, there's a wedding to plan, a house to redecorate, and a baby on its way."
"What did your Mom say about stressing?" Prem asked.
"I'm not stressing," Heer answered with a pout. "I'm simply listing what we have to do."
"Don't worry about. Your Mom's coming for a reason. I just want you to focus on staying healthy and happy for our kid," Prem said and kissed her forehead. "So, are you going to tell the girls?"
"I don't know. Like Mom said we shouldn't tell everyone yet," Heer said. "I'll hold off until maybe the first trimester...I don't think you start showing until then."
"Okay so just immediate family and Preet and Meher know," Prem replied. Heer nodded and smiled at Prem causing him to curl his lips upward into a wide grin. They both happily stared at each other finally taking a moment to realize how their relationship was taking yet another step forward. "We're going to become parents," he simply stated.
"Yeah, I know a bit scary and exciting at the same time," Heer giggled and tenderly ran her finger along his jaw line. She traced his soft stubble along his mouth and chin absorbing the way it felt against her skin.
Prem captured her finger and placed a gentle kiss on the tip. "You're not mad at me are you?"
"About what?" Heer asked. "Why would I be mad?"
"Oh, you're not just a tiny bit upset at me? Getting you pregnant?" Prem innocently inquired.
"It takes two to tango, Prem," Heer simply replied.
He grinned and combined his fingers through her silky hair tucking it behind her ear, "I know. All that romancing during our romantic gateway in Napa Valley led us to our little mishap..."
"I wouldn't say it was a mishap...we created something from our love," Heer said looking at him lovingly.
"We did, didn't we?" Prem replied and captured her lips into a soft kiss. Heer gently curled her fingers along the back of his head as they continued to tenderly kiss and caress one another. Every movement they made was delicate and light from the way their lips mingled together to the way their fingers danced across exposed skin. They relished in the harmonious feeling of the loved they shared for one another and simply kissed for some time. Prem felt Heer's hand trail down from behind his head to the front of his chest and with her palm lying flat acting as leverage she pushed herself on top of him. Normally he would have gone with the flow but he felt oddly concern by her sudden zeal. He pulled back a little breaking their kissing session. "Heer, um, is it okay?" he asked. "The baby?"
She grinned at him, "The American Pregnancy Association's website said it's fine."
He arched his eyebrow, "I thought you said you only read the symptoms section."
"I wanted you to finish what you had to say before surprising you," Heer explained mischievously. She then traced her fingertip along his jaw line, "It's going to be a long nine months."
"Are you saying I should get some while I can?" Prem asked with a chuckle.
"I guess I am," Heer giggled. "Later, there may be certain areas that become sensitive and I don't want touched, position issues, issues with my self esteem over my weight gain, and I may not have any desire to at all."
"That's a lot of issues to deal with," Prem replied.
"I know. Since I'm not having any now...it would be nice to take advantage...and we still haven't celebrated," Heer said.
"Celebrated," Prem smirked. "No, we certainly have not done that yet." He cupped her face guiding her towards him again to recapture the moment that he had interrupted.
Their bodies swayed gently underneath the sheets. There was no urgent rush or push to hungrily attack one another instead a sweet tenderness enveloped their actions. They were taking their time savoring each kiss and touch that passed between them. Heer never felt more loved than the way Prem was treating her. He was being gentle in all the right ways but still had that passionate fire burning in him. His love was taking her to new heights and she felt light and airy in the most satisfying way. Prem was lost in the intensity of the emotions he was feeling. He wanted nothing more than to pour all the love he had in his heart into her. Their bodies buckled under the brink of what was to come and then the familiar surge greeted them as sweet love blossomed. They clung to each other in the aftermath tenderly stroking their feelings prolonging the effects of what they had just experienced together. As their breathing settled and their heartbeats synced in rhythm they nestled themselves in the sheets and affectionately cuddled with each other. Prem never thought he could love the woman lying in his arms even more than he already did but knowing that he was going to become a father heighten his devotion towards her. "I love you," Prem said and then gently pulled away to kiss her bare stomach. "And Daddy loves you too."
Heer smiled as she lifted his chin up with her fingers beckoning him to return to her. He crawled upwards with a grin. Heer tenderly brushed her fingers through his hair and gazed at the man in front of her; her future husband and father of her child. "I love you so much." He leaned his forehead against her forehead and exhaled happily. "Not half as much as I love you." A soft chortle escaped her lips, "We're not going to play this game now are we?"
"What game? It's the truth," Prem replied smirking a little. "As long as you don't tell me I'm wrong and insist that you love me more...cause you're wrong..."
"I'm wrong?" Heer laughed and playfully pushed him. "You're not being very nice."
He nodded his head childishly, "I want to be selfish about this."
Heer caressed his face and gave him a peck on the lips. "So, you want a boy or a girl?"
Prem rolled to his side propping himself up on his elbow and thoughtfully ponder, "Hmmm...girl." He then ran his fingers through Heer's silky hair as she turned towards him. "A beautiful girl just like you...with your hair...eyes...lips...smile..."
Heer grinned. "But she can't have everything like me...she needs some of your features too. But what about a boy? You don't want a boy?"
"You want a boy?" Prem asked.
"He can have your nose...lips...chin..." Heer said as she traced her fingers along those features on Prem's face.
He smiled and captured her hand to place a gently kiss, "Honesty, I'm really fine with either. Whether boy or girl...our families are going to shower him or her with lots of love. I don't know if I'll be half the father my father was to me---"
"Prem, don't go comparing yourself," Heer interrupted. "It's not like either of us are going to get it right the first time. We should just do the best we can and make sure we support each other in the decisions we make."
Prem nodded and then said, "It's late we should probably get some sleep. You need to get plenty of rest. You're going through a lot of changes and I'm sure your body needs the rest. Come here and snuggle with your pillow." Heer grinned widely and rested her head on Prem's chest her body hugging him tightly while his arm draped protectively over her waist. "Goodnight Sweetheart and goodnight my little one," he said as he kissed her forehead. Heer kissed his bare chest, "Goodnight Prem and the little one says goodnight too." Prem grinned widely as his eyelids slowly closed knowing what he was holding were the two most precious things in his life; Heer and the child they had created together.
*****************************************************************
So, ended with some Premeer romance 😉 Next part Teji and Gayatri meet...hehe...what fireworks will happen? 😕
Thanks for reading!
Comments Greatly Appreciated!
---Grace 😃
Harry Potter
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
Shiv Shakti
