Chai's Teahouse (Creative Writings House) - Page 45

As promised here is the final part of

~ Epilogue ~

Heer closed her eyes enjoying the gentle autumn breeze as it wisped her hair playfully and cooled a relaxing calm on her face. Her lips turned upward into a firm grin as she felt a pair of strong hands slipped themselves around the bulge of her belly. She knew instantly who it was and breathed in the scent of his cologne. "So what do you think?" he asked huskily in her ear.

"It's beautiful Prem," Heer replied her eyes now open examining the newly built craftsmen's style house. It had a two door attached garage, beautiful stone brick posts that accented the wooden front porch, and two distinct gable dormers facing the front. As Prem had predicted the house reached its completion in eight months.

"The pool still needs some touch ups, but I want you in this house before the baby arrives. I know it hasn't been easy moving around and juggling the distance with work and school for the kids," Prem said. "Ma was right about it being hectic."

"It isn't like we knew when we would get pregnant," Heer replied.

"I think it was pretty obvious after that night at the Hyatt that our little Chahat was coming," Prem grinned. "Oh, what mischievous things we were up to."

Heer smirked, "You're so bad, Prem."

"But you like it when I'm bad," he replied.

"That I do," she smiled.

"So, ready to move in?" Prem asked.

Before Heer could reply they heard the voices of their two children giggling with delight as they ran from the moving truck. "Daddy can we move in?" Ishaan asked.

"Mommy, you need to sit in the car and take care of the baby. We will move everything in," Leher commanded. Heer arched her eyebrow at her daughter's adult like attitude.

"She's right you know," Preet said walking towards them. "Let us handle all of this. You need to sit down and rest."

"Preet, what are you doing here?" Heer replied. "You should be home with Meher and your daughter. You must be tired."

"Meher and Gungun are sleeping and my mother-in-law is over there looking after things. I just wanted to get some fresh air and welcome you guys back into the neighborhood," Preet grinned. "Besides I wanna help out a bit...the quicker we get you guys settled back in the sooner you will be able to enjoy your new home."

"Is the front door open or do you want us to just unload stuff onto the front lawn?" Rishabh asked in a sarcastic manner as he, Prashant, Harman, and Nihaal came walking up carrying boxes.

"Oh sorry, yeah, the front door is open. Thanks guys. The boxes should be labeled telling you what rooms they should go to," Prem replied.

"Heer! What do you think you are doing?" Veera shouted as she and Sanjana and Ashlesha got out of a red Nissan Altima. "There was a reason Prem asked us to help you know. You should be with Meher. The two women with babies should be at home. You need to go home right this minute...if something should happen to you Prem will have a heart attack."

Heer couldn't help but chuckle at her comment. "But I am home Veera."

"Ah, you know what I mean," Veera sighed. "Preet, why don't you take her to your house?"

"But I don't have a car. I walked over here," Preet replied.

Veera handed him her keys, "Here, drive her home. We'll handle everything."

Preet grinned and motioned with his head, "Come on let's go. I think they can handle everything."

Ishaan and Leher waved goodbye to their mother as she got into the Nissan with Preet. "Bye Mommy!" they shouted.

"Daddy will call when we are done!" Leher informed.

Heer laughed softly at her daughter. "They grow up so fast, Preet."

"I know," he replied as he started the car. "But don't worry you have another one on the way. It will be some time before they get big enough to leave so just enjoy it while you can. I know I'm going to."

"Gungun is such a beautiful baby," Heer said.

"I think she's going to take after her mother. She's already starting to look like Meher. I just hope she doesn't have messed up teeth like me when they start coming in," Preet mused.

"You can always get her braces," Heer replied.

"Yes, braces...that is something I'm definitely going to do for her," Preet said.

Deep mocha brown eyes stared upward dancing with joy as she inspected the familiar ceiling and walls of her room. She gurgled lightly as she felt cool air hit her skin and then the soothing sensation of a wet wipe. It was soon followed by a gentle sprinkle of fluffy white powder and the comforting feeling of a cotton like substance covering her snuggly. She giggled with delight at the raspberry blown on her exposed stomach and swung her little hands on top of the thick brown hair of her father. "Chahat, you like that don't you?" Prem asked cutely to his daughter. He lowered his head again and held her arms so she wouldn't bang them against his head and then gently placed his lips on her belly and blew. There was a loud zipping sound that erupted and Chahat giggled enjoying the tickling sensation and noise her father was making. "Okay, enough playing. Everyone is waiting downstairs for us," Prem said as he pulled her dress down. "Today is a very special day...it's your birthday! Mommy, made a cake for you."

"Ma-ma..." Chahat cheerily replied.

"That's right and who am I?" Prem asked.

"Da-da.." Chahat answered.

Prem smiled as he picked his daughter up and carried her downstairs. The minute he came down he was surrounded by family and friends wanting their chance to interact with the birthday girl. Chahat calmly let herself be taken by her uncle and disappear into the crowd in the living room. Leher and Ishaan were playing a game with Saloni while Vishal watched over them. Prem entered the kitchen to find his mother and mother-in-law busily cooking up a feast. Meher and Heer were putting on the finishing touches of the birthday cake. "Smells great and the cake looks awesome," Prem greeted.

"All thanks to Meher," Heer replied.

"You baked the cake I just provided the recipe," Meher said. "Credit goes to Heer for this one."

"Where is your Gungun?" Prem asked.

"Right here," Preet answered as he entered the kitchen. A cubby cheeked little girl wearing a long dress like shirt and leggings sat comfortably in the crook of her father's arm. Preet looked at his wife and asked, "Where's her water bottle?"

"Wa-wa," Gungun murmured.

"Ha, Papa is getting your water," Preet said.

"It should be in her bag," Meher replied.

"I looked and I didn't see it," Preet answered.

"We have a spare sippy cup. You can use that," Heer offered.

"No, it's fine Heer. I know I packed it. Preet is just blind," Meher replied.

"Hey, I looked," Preet defended his mouth forming a pout.

"I'll go help him look for it," Meher sighed and dragged her husband off into the living room.

It wasn't long before Sanjana can walking into the room with Chahat who was crying up a storm. "It's okay sweetie...here's Mommy."

Heer took her daughter in her arms and gently rubbed her back. "Mommy's here. Sshhh...it's okay." Chahat's cries of mama soon subsided and she buried her face in the crook of her mother's neck.

"She just suddenly started crying for you," Sanjana explained.

"It's fine. She'll do that when she realizes that she hasn't seen one of us for awhile," Heer replied. "So, any thoughts between you and Prashant having one of your own?"

"We're really happy with the way things are now. But I think within two years time it may be a different story. I'm still waiting to hear news of Veera and Nihaal," Sanjana replied.

"I heard my name," Veera said as she entered the kitchen.

"They were just asking about when you and Nihaal will be starting a family," Prem answered.

Veera raised her hand and crossed her middle finger with her index finger, "Let's hope some time soon."

"Really? That's great news," Sanjana smiled.

"The real couple we should be asking this question to is Ashlesha and Rishabh. It took Rishabh forever to marry Ash...who knows how long he'll try putting off having kids," Veera said. She then looked at Prem, "You guys need to start implementing that idea into his little brain."

Prem put his hand up into a salute, "Yes ma'am. We'll take that challenge. We should just ask him to babysit the kids."

"All by himself?" Heer gasped.

"Nihaal and Prashant can babysit with him," Prem replied.

"Sounds like a great idea though I shudder at the thought of what could possibly happen," Sanjana said.

"Let them just babysit the big kids," Prem said. "How do you think Preet got so good? Ishaan and Leher whipped him into shape." Heer and the girls automatically laughed at his comment.

Chahat lifted her head from Heer's shoulder and smiled. "Oh, looks like someone is in a better mood," Heer said. Chahat gave a gurgle and raised her hands up onto her head and scratched. Her fountain style ponytail on the top of her head wiggled slightly causing the adults to grin warmly at her adorableness. "Le-le..." she suddenly said.

"Mommy is it time to eat?" Leher asked as she walked into the kitchen with her brother. "I'm hungry."

Ishaan's eyes immediately darted to the cake and his eyes grew wide. "Oooh, cake," he said his mouth slightly salivating.

"Not now son, after lunch," Prem said with a chuckle. He placed his hands on Ishaan's shoulders and pulled him closer to him. Ishaan leaned his head back resting on his father's stomach. Prem looked down amazed that he had grown taller. It wasn't just him even Leher was taller. He was astonished at how much they had changed in a year's time and he knew the changes would become faster; and before he could blink twice they would become tweens, then teenagers, and then finally young adults ready to leave the family nest. Prem's eyes drifted towards the youngest family member and smiled. At least he and Heer would have one more to keep them company for some time before she also left.

"Happy Birthday Chahat!" Leher said happily to her little sister. She climbed up on a step stool and gave a kiss on her cheek.

"Happy Birthday Chahat!" Ishaan repeated and gave a flying kiss towards her sister who mimicked the move.

"Le-le...ish-ish," Chahat babbled drawing the curiosity of Sanjana.

"Has she learned to say anything beside Mama and Dada?" she asked.

"She's definitely trying but it is usually baby talk mostly 'ba' really. But she goes 'Le-le' for Leher and 'Ish-ish' for Ishaan," Heer explained.

"Ba...um-heh...baaa," Chahat said and began grabbing at Heer's shirt. "Ba-ba..." Chahat started moving her mouth up and down as her tiny tongue peeked out.

"Is she hungry?" Sanjana asked. "Her mouth keeps moving like she wants to eat or something."

"That's because she is," Heer replied.

"The food is done!" Gayatri announced. "We can start eating." She walked over to her granddaughter and gave a peck on her cheek. "Chahat are you hungry?"

"Ba...ba," she replied and gave a slight nod.

"Let's bring this food out to the dining table," Teji suggested as she carried a large container of rice.

"Here Mom, I'll take that," Prem said. "Ishaan go help Nani get the silverware."

"Yes, Daddy," he replied and followed Teji to one of the kitchen drawers. Leher walked over and began helping her brother.

Heer walked into the dining room and placed Chahat in her boaster chair. She started banging her hands on the tray in excitement. "Someone is really excited...Mommy will get your food don't worry Sweetie."

It wasn't long before all the food that had been prepared was placed on the dining room table. Friends and family hungrily dug into the feast that had been made and happily enjoyed each other's company. The birthday celebrations and merriment lasted well into the late afternoon.

Heer came down the stairs and smiled seeing her husband sitting next to her father on the couch looking at something on the laptop. "I just put Chahat down for her nap. She was exhausted...it didn't take her very long to fall asleep," Heer said. "Where is everyone?"

"Mom went to take a nap. Milind went out to the store to get the pictures from the party developed and took Ishaan and Leher with him," Prem answered.

"What are two doing? Heer asked as walked behind the couch.

"Finding someone for your brother," Balraaj replied.

"Seriously?" Heer inquired. "And he's okay with this?"

"Yes," Balraaj answered as he scrolled through some profiles on Shaadi.com. "It's about time he gets settled. His little sister got married before him and now has three children...I think it's time."

"What happened to the flight attendant girl?" Prem asked. "She was nice."

"I think their work got in the way...scheduling conflicts," Heer replied. "You do realize that Milind hasn't had a relationship that has lasted more than a year Daddy...how are we going to find someone for him?"

"Faith...just have faith," Balraaj replied. "Milind has agreed that he will marry someone the family likes. Now, unless you and Prem have someone within your circle of friends to introduce him to this is the only option I have."

"All our friends are either in a serious relationship, engaged, or married," Heer said.

"What about co-workers?" Balraaj asked.

"I can't think of anyone in my office, sorry," Heer said.

"Neither can I," Prem replied.

"Well, then we have no other choice but this now," Balraaj said as he logged off the website and closed the lap top. "I think I'm going to go take a nap now. Need my energy for playtime later with the grandkids."

Heer walked to the kitchen to get a cup of juice and was soon hugged from behind by her husband. "Do you want to take a nap?" Prem asked. "You're probably pretty tired yourself."

"I'm actually okay," Heer replied taking a sip of juice. She then handed the cup to Prem who took a drink and placed it onto the counter. "Can you believe that Chahat is one?"

"I know. Leher and Ishaan just turned six. They are growing up fast," Prem replied. "Before you know it they will be all grown up and out of the house. We will be old and gray and they will have families of their own."

Heer detected the slight sadness in Prem's voice and gave a comforting pat on his cheek. "There is still a fair amount of time before that will occur. We should try to spend as much time as we can with them...doing family things."

"Right," Prem replied. "So should we start planning a family vacation?"

"Where should we go?" Heer asked.

"How about going to India during Winter break?" Prem suggested. "See if Mom and Dad want to come with us. I think it would be a good experience for Leher and Ishaan to see their culture and homeland."

"I think that's a great idea," Heer replied. "We should talk to Mom and Dad about it tonight."

"Are you sure you don't want to take a nap?" Prem asked.

Heer gave a soft chortle and turned around placing her hands on his chest, "Prem, if you are tired go and take a nap."

He leaned his forehead against her forehead and murmured, "I was thinking we could take a nap together." Heer gently smiled and held his hand leading him up the stairs to their bedroom. Prem locked the door causing her to turn around and arch her eyebrow. "So no one will disturb us," he simply explained.

Heer went over to the baby monitor that was sitting on the night stand and turned it on. She wanted to make sure that Chahat was sleeping well in her room. She felt Prem slipped his arms around her waist and nuzzle her cheek. "Napping requires laying in bed," Heer said.

"Yes, let's do that," Prem replied as he swiftly swept his wife into his arms and placed her on their bed.

Heer grinned pushing Prem's shoulder as he started to kiss her neck. "What are you doing? This isn't napping."

"Can't I show my wife some affection?" Prem pouted.

"Of course you can," Heer replied cupping his face. They exchanged a few tender kisses before Prem lay down on his back pulling Heer on top of him. He gently ran his fingers through her hair and held her hand that was laying on his chest. Heer smiled enjoying the cuddling moment she was having with her husband. "Love you."

Prem grinned and brought her hand up to his lips and placed a kiss. "Love you too."

"Sleep," Heer simply commanded. Prem gave a tired yawn in response and then closed his eyes. A few seconds later he was drifting peacefully into slumber.

Prem slowly cracked open his eyelids and stared up at the ceiling above him. He lay there blinking processing everything around him as he stretched wondering where his wife was. He got up from bed and went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and wash his face. Prem then made his way down stairs. His ears immediately perked to the sounds of the television and his family members chatting away. He was greeted first by his daughter Chahat who was having a fun time walking around with her grandmother Teji. "Da-da!" she cried and lunged forward from her grandmother's grasp towards her father's legs. She giggled with delight as she clung to his right leg and bumped her forehead against him. "Da-da...da-da...da-da...um-ba...baaa..." she rattled. Prem smiled as he picked Chahat up and placed a kiss on her cheek. "Have a nice nap Chahat? Missed Daddy, huh?"

"Ba-ba," Chahat nodded. "Ma-ma..."

"Oh, you wanna go see Mommy?" Prem asked. "Where is Mommy?"

Chahat pointed towards the kitchen, "Wa-wa."

"And you're thirsty too, huh?" Prem asked. "Okay, let's go to the kitchen and see Mommy and ask her for some water." He turned to his right and walked into the kitchen to find Heer cutting some fruit.

"Leher! Ishaan!" Heer called as she placed sliced pears, apples, and figs onto a plate.

"Yes, Mommy," Leher answered as she came into the kitchen with her brother.

"Take this out to the living room," Heer instructed. "Ishaan, take the bowl of blueberries out there as well."

"Okay," Ishaan replied. He then looked at his father, "Daddy, Milind Mamu bought a Wii at BestBuy today. He says he's giving it to me and Leher but only if you and Mommy say it's okay."

"He did now, did he?" Prem inquired and then glanced at his wife.

"I really wished he told me before he decided to buy it. He said it was a spur of the moment thing since they were there and the kids were enjoy playing with the demo set in the store," Heer explained. "What do you think?"

"Please say yes," Leher pleaded.

"Yeah, please. We promise to be really good and do all our homework without you having to tell us," Ishaan added.

"Go put the fruit in the living room," Prem ordered. Leher and Ishaan pouted and did as their father instructed. Prem then got Chahat's sippy cup and filled it with water. "Well, he's already bought it right?"

"Milind still has the receipt," Heer said as she washed the cutting board and knife. "You know how I feel about exposing our kids to video games especially at this age. They should be playing outside not indoors staring at the TV set."

"If you feel that strongly about it then we'll just ask Milind to return it," Prem replied.

"But you know the Wii is different...at least with some of the sport games...you are more interactive...and there is the Wii fit..." Heer pondered out loud.

Prem gave a gentle grin, "You want to keep it don't you?"

"They were playing with it earlier...the Wii Sports games," Heer answered. "It was entertaining...I had fun with tennis...and Leher and Ishaan were actually sweating."

"Ah, so that's the reason you left me alone in the bed?" Prem teased. "Playing the Wii instead of being with your husband?"

Heer rolled her eyes, "Focus Prem."

"Sweatheart if you are okay with it then I'm okay with it. We just need to set some strict rules to when they can play," Prem replied. "And I'll get you the Wii fit board for Christmas if you like."

Heer just gave a gentle grin in return. She then focused in on her daughter who was quietly drinking from her sippy cup. "Ma-ma," Chahat said and handed her mother her cup. "All done? Wanna stay with Daddy or come with me?" Heer asked. Chahat shook her head and rested her head against her father's shoulder.

"She's a Daddy's girl all right," Prem proudly announced.

"That she is," Heer said and was about to walk away when Prem pulled her back.

"You still haven't answered my question," he said as he held his wife. "Why didn't you wake me when you got up?"

Heer leaned her head on his shoulder, "You were looking so adorable sleeping that I didn't want to disturb you. Besides you were the one that was really tired."

"I wouldn't have minded," Prem replied and placed a kiss on her forehead. Heer glanced upward and saw the loving gaze her husband was giving her. His smoldering brown eyes always had a way of making her forget where she was. Heer sighed as Prem captured her lips. They stood there for some time lost in their own world of love. It wasn't until a pair of tiny hands began patting their faces did they break apart. Chahat looked on curiously at her parents and then protested with a loud, "Ba!" She patted their faces again demanding some attention. "So sorry Chahat...we forgot about you," Prem said. He exchanged grins with Heer and they both gave a kiss on either side of their daughter's cheeks. Chahat giggled with delight at receiving this type of loving affection from her parents.

"Let's go into the living room and eat some fruit with the rest of the family," Heer said as she held Prem's hand.

When they entered the living room they saw Teji welcoming Gayatri back into the house and ushering her to have some fruit with the family. Milind and Balraaj were watching a football game on the sports network while Ishaan and Leher were busy coloring in their coloring books. Heer smiled brightly at her family and felt Prem gently squeezing her hand as if knowing exactly what she was thinking and confirming his feeling as well. They both didn't know what else life had in store for them but would drink to the fullest whether in happy or sad times because they knew they had each other and their family. And that was all that mattered.

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*Credit Banner to Xxcoolchick1xX (Preeti)

So there you go the end of Pee Loon. I want to thank all my readers (both silent and active) for coming along with me on this journey. Hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing it. I have to say I'm a little sad myself that this SS is ending. I know this one isn't far as exciting as my other writing...this one was more normal...everyday type of scenes between two people and the relationships they have between each other and with friends and family.

I hope to see you all in my next SS that I have coming up called At First Sight. Although this one is a bit different...perhaps a bit darker...I hope I'll still be able to instill the essence of what most of us loved about Kis Desh and that is the love that Prem and Heer shared. It may be a couple of weeks before the first part is up as my FF, All the Wrong Moves in All the Right Ways needs my most undivided attention.

Please Leave Comments as they are very much appreciated especially since this is the end of the SS 😃



For reading!


---Grace

2nd reserved slot... will edit soon...