Chapter 9 - Heer Becomes Ill
"Come on Vishaka, hurry up, I don't want to be late", said Meher. She was hurrying her cousin along through chores they had to finish. She had an art lesson scheduled this evening with her neighbor Mrs. Saxena, and she was not about to be late. "Let's see...we've fed the chickens, weeded the garden bed, changed the bed sheets, chopped the vegetables..." Meher's train of thought was interrupted by the telephone ringing.
Heer answered the phone. "Hello? Oh! Hi Kulraj Didi, how are you? Really...dinner tonight? Well...I'll have to check with my parents...Okay...7:00pm should be fine...Thanks, I'll look forward to it". The moment Heer hung up Meher and Vishaka jumped on her, questioning her a mile a minute for details. Teji and Kuljeet Chachee came into the room to see what the commotion was about.
"Mom you'll never guess!" cried Vishaka. "Heer Didi just received a dinner invitation from the Junejas up at the Havaili tonight!"
"May I go Ma?" asked Heer shyly.
"Of course you may go!" cried Kuljeet Chachee, before Teji could say anything, "It'll be an excellent opportunity to spend some time with Prem!"
"Actually", continued Heer, "the gentlemen have all gone to Ludhiana, and won't be back until tomorrow, and Kulraj is there with some family friends and her children. She said she would appreciate my company".
"What?!" cried Kuljeet Chachee, "All the men are gone?! Well, you should still go and make the best of it...you know make inroads with the sister". Meher slapped her forehead, could her chachee be any more desperate?
"Kulraj was asking about you too Meher", Heer added.
"Sorry Di, I'm afraid you'll have to brave it alone tonight", said Meher. "I promised Mrs. Saxena I would help her with chores, and she promised to give me another painting lesson, and maybe even some new paints".
The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur, and soon it was time for Heer to leave for dinner. Balraj and Balwant were discussing the latest news headlines, when Heer came down dressed in a lovely white shalwar kameez and dupatta.
"Why beta...you look like an angel", said her father, as he got up and kissed her on the head.
"Thank you Papaji", said Heer. "Um...Chachu, I was wondering if you could drop me off at the Singh Havaili. I've been invited to dinner by Kulraj Di. She said she would have sent a driver, but the guys have taken the car and gone to Ludhiana and won't be back until tomorrow".
"Of course Heer", said Balwant.
"Of course not!" interrupted Kuljeet Chachee, who was staring at the sky through the window.
"You forget Balwant, that you have to drop Meher and Vishaka off at Mrs. Saxena's house, and it's in the opposite direction".
"But it will only be a slight detour", argued Balwant.
"No! No! No! Heer, you'll just have to go on horseback", said Chachee matter of factly.
"Horseback!?!" cried Meher, Heer and Teji in unison.
"Yes, horseback!" replied Chachee.
"But it's almost 3 miles", protested Meher, "and it looks like it may rain!"
"Exactly!" cried Chachee, "Balwant and the girls can follow Heer in the car. Then, when she is about a mile away, they can go onto Mrs. Saxena's and Heer can carry onto the Havaili. This way they won't know she has a car available, and if it rains, then they'll have to keep her with them overnight!"
"Chachee!" cried Heer.
"Don't Chachee me young lady", replied Kuljeet. "Would you go all the way over there and come back without meeting Prem? He'll be back tomorrow, and I'm sure he'll be happy to drop you home then. There is nothing like the rain to kindle a bit of romance you know. Ahem..your Chacha and I became engaged during a thunder storm you know.
Ugh! thought Meher. Do I even want to know?
"Well if you ladies are done planning, I think we should get going", said Balwant. Meher and Vishaka got into the car with Balwant, while Heer rode slightly ahead on horseback. Soon they parted ways, just as Chachee had told them to do so. It wasn't long though before it started raining. Meher looked worriedly through the rear window of her uncle's car, in the direction Heer had gone off in. This wasn't a light sprinkle, it was raining cats and dogs. I hope Di doesn't get sick, she thought.
Sure enough, Heer was soaked to the bones by the time she reached the Singh Havaili. Kulraj opened the door and was surprised to see Heer dripping from head to toe. She ushered Heer inside quickly and helped her clean up and change into a set of dry clothes. At dinner, Heer and Kulraj were joined by Maya and Ashlesha.
"Maya , Ashlesha, why don't you get to know Heer better, and I'll just go and check on some things in the kitchen", said Kulraj.
As soon as Kulraj was gone, Maya and Ashlesha began to cross-examine Heer. "So Heer, I understand your uncle is an employee with the Junejas", said Ashlesha in an arrogant tone.
"Yes", replied Heer obediently.
"Any brothers or sisters?" asked Maya.
"A younger sister", replied Heer, "perhaps you saw her at the party in Ludhiana".
"Oh yes", said Maya, "wasn't she the fat girl in pink I saw talking to Preet?"
"What?" asked Heer, she was becoming confused as to their line of questioning.
"Oh Maya!" laughed Ashlesha. "Don't be so cruel...It's the pink you know...Pink always makes you look fat".
"And you and your sister attend which university? And your father's estate is where?" continued Maya.
"We can't affo...", said Heer, "I mean we don't attend university right now...My father is a farmer you see, and...and..." All of a sudden Heer began to feel dizzy. She would have fallen from her chair if Kulraj hadn't gotten back and caught her in time.
"Gopi! Kishan!" Kulraj yelled for the servants. "Help me take Heer upstairs, then call the doctor..quick!"
Maya and Ashlesha sat unaffected by all that had just transpired. "I can't believe Prem actually likes this sasta sundar tikau (cheap imitation) over Sanjana Rampal, some people have no taste", snickered Maya.
"So...her sister was talking to Preet. He's a little out of her league don't you think?" said Ashlesha gritting her teeth. "Hmpf! You'd think these gawaar (illiterate) girls would know enough to stick to their own kind. Preet sirf mera hai...sirf mera", she muttered to herself. (Preet s mine...only mine).
Chapter 10 - Meher's Visit
The next morning, Meher was looking out the window lost in thought. It was still raining, although not as hard as last night. Kulraj had called the night before and let them know that Heer had fallen ill and would be kept at the Havaili.
Kuljeet Chachee and Teji walked into the room each with a cup of tea. "Ah Meher, isn't it wonderful about Heer...It's all going according to my plan.
"Yes" replied Meher with a slight tone of sarcasm in her voice, "but we have to give Heer Di the credit of getting sick. My only comfort is if she dies it will all be in the effort of following your grand plan Chachee!"
"Oh my Rabs!" cried Kuljeet. "Don't be silly, people don't die from a few drops of water! Parjayiji, I can't believe you're letting her talk to me like this!"
Teji put a reassuring hand on Meher's shoulder. She knew her younger daughter loved her sister and was clearly feeling agitated and helpless. Meher got up and went to her room. She didn't want to lose her patience and say something impolite to Kuljeet Chachee, after all, her parents had raised her and Heer to be respectful to their elders.
Fortunately for Meher, she didn't have to wait long. It had stopped raining by nightfall and she woke up the next morning determined to see Heer and perhaps bring her home. As soon as the breakfast dishes were cleared and the morning chores done, she declared her plan to her mother.
"What?!" cried Kuljeet Chachee. "Why on earth do you want to go to the Juneja's place?"
"I have to see Heer Didi", replied Meher. "I'm sure she's feeling alone among strangers and would want me to be there for her".
"But beta", reasoned Teji, "Your Bauji is gone off to the fields with the tractor and your uncle left early in his car for Ludhiana, how are you going to get to the Singh Havaili?"
"I'll walk", replied Meher matter of factly.
"Walk?! Walk 3 miles in all this mud and dirt!" exclaimed Kuljeet. "You won't be fit to be seen by the time you get there".
"I'll be fit enough to be seen by Heer Di, which is all I want", replied Meher. "I am quite determined, so neither one of you please try to stop me".
Teji knew it would be pointless to argue with Meher. "Alright Meher", she said, "but try and be back for dinner.
"Thanks Ma", said Meher as she hugged her mother and rushed out the door.
The sun was out and the grass and earth smelled of that fresh after the rain smell. Meher walked as quickly as her feet could carry her to the Singh Havaili, where the Junejas were staying, and more importantly, where her sister was. It was nearly lunch time when Meher reached the grounds of the Havaili. She was tired, hungry, and her face was slightly red from having walked so fast for so long. And as much as she had tried to be careful, there were mud streaks on her shoes and shalwar. Well, there's not much I can do about that, thought Meher, as she proceeded ahead. She was just coming around a large tree, when something ran into her with great force, making her fall.
It took Meher a few seconds to realize what had happened. She had apparently fallen on top of someone. Meher pushed back her long hair, and to her horror, she looked down and came face to face with a grinning Preet Juneja, holding a frisbee in one hand and Meher's dupatta tangled up around his other hand.
"Why Ms. Bhainsllo!" chuckled Preet. "What a pleasant surprise! You know...we really have to stop running into each other like this. People will think we're in love".
"Ugh!" cried Meher "Get off me!"
"Actually..that should be my line", said Preet still grinning.
"Give me my dupatta you oaf!" cried Meher.
"Okay...okay", said Preet offering Meher his hand, "here let me help you up".
"I don't need your help!" said Meher getting up and dusting her clothes. She snatched her dupatta from Preet and started walking.
"Okay...your choice", said Preet. He picked up his frisbee and began to walk after Meher.
"Tum...tum mera peecha kyun kar rahay ho?" asked Meher angrily. (Why are you following me?)
"Hey! I live here remember", said Preet as he walked on ahead with Meher following. All of a sudden Preet stopped causing Meher to bump into him. "Now, should I accuse you of following me?" Preet turned to ask Meher.
"Uff-ho!" cried Meher "Tum meray peechay kyun par gaye ho? Akhir tum kya chahte ho? Don't tell me you're still upset about the pakoras?" (Why are you after me? What do you want?)
"Tum itna akarti kiyun ho?" asked Preet. "Kisi say pyar se baat karni nahin aati hai kya?" (Why are you so rude? Can't you speak nicely to anyone?)
"Aati hai", said Meher, "per tumse pyar se baat karna zaroori nahin samajthi." (I can. But with you I don't find it necessary).
"Forget it!" said Preet in frustration and started to walk off.
Meher bit her lip. "Wait!" she said. "Actually, I came to see Heer Didi".
Preet looked around. "You came alone...and on foot?" he asked.
"As you can see", said Meher pointing to her muddy shoes. "Would you be kind enough to take me to see my sister".
Preet smiled. He had to admit this girl was nothing like he had seen before. She was so determined and so fiesty. Just then, they were interrupted by Prem, Herman, Maya and Ashlesha, who had come running.
"Did you get it Preet?" asked Herman referring to the frisbee.
"Meher!" cried Prem "What a wonderful surprise! I bet you've come to see Heer".
"Yes", smiled Meher.
"So, this is Heer's faa..(she was about to say fat)...I mean little sister", said Ashlesha. Then her eyes widened with horror. "Oh my God!" she yelled. "Your shoes are all muddy...Don't tell me you actually walked all the way here. I mean couldn't daddy like spare another horse?"
Meher was becoming self conscious. It was bad enough that she had fallen on top of Preet again, but now she was being belittled by this rich snob. "Prem ji, could I please see Heer Didi", she asked, trying her best to ignore Ashlesha.
"Of course", said Prem, "I'll take you up to her myself".
As soon as Meher was out of hearing range Maya and Ashlesha began to put her down. "Did you see her hair, and her clothes...Uff!...So down market", said Maya.
"And her shoes and that shalwar...at least 6 inches deep in mud, I'm sure", added Ashlesha. "Preet, I hope you saw that!"
"No Ash", Preet lied, rolling his eyes, "I'm afraid it escaped my notice".
"Well then...What did you notice?" asked Ashlesha.
Preet bent down to pick up something shining in the grass. It was some bits of Meher's glass bangles. I must have broken some when I ran into her, he thought.
"Preet!" cried Ashlesha with a bit of anger in her tone. "What did you notice?" She was wondering why Preet was smiling and staring in the direction Meher had just walked off in.
"A pretty young lady, who I apparently owe a new set of bangles to", replied Preet with a thoughtful smile.
Inside the house meanwhile, Meher had been taken to the room where Heer was resting. She was relieved to see that her sister had been well cared for, but she was still suffering from a high grade fever. Prem and Kulraj had insisted that Heer was not well enough to be taken home and wanted to keep her in their care..
Kulraj knocked on the door and poked her head in the room. "How's the patient?" she asked.
"I'm afraid Didi is still not well, otherwise I would have taken her home", said Meher. "I'm sorry for the imposition".
"What are you talking about?" asked Kulraj "It's been wonderful having Heer here, although I wish it were under better circumstances. And I'm sure your coming here made her feel a lot better". Then an idea struck Kulraj. "Meher", she said, "why don't you stay here and nurse your sister back to health? I can send the driver over to your house to get some of your belongings".
"Oh no!" said Meher. "I mean I don't like the idea of leaving Heer Di here, but at the same time I don't want to be an imposition".
"There you go with the imposition thing again", said Kulraj. "Come on, I'm sure it'll make Heer happy, and she'll recuperate 10 times faster. Besides you'll be doing me a favor too."
"How's that?" asked Meher.
"I'll have someone other than Maya and Ashlesha to converse with", said Kulraj with a laugh. "Come on, I'll call and speak to your mother myself after we have lunch, which I better get on the table before Preet raises a storm".
Meher didn't move, she knew she wasn't looking very presentable in her muddy clothes, and the last thing she wanted was to be judged by everyone on her table manners.
Kulraj sensed Meher's discomfort, and put her at ease. "Meher", she said, "why don't you freshen up. I'll send up a tray of food for you and Heer. You can join us at dinner time if you like".
Meher's face brightened up right away. "Thanks Kulraj Didi...Thanks a lot".
Kulraj left Meher and went to join the others in the dining room. "Is everything okay Kuldi?" asked Prem. "How is Heer?"
"She'll certainly do better now that her sister is here", said Kulraj. "I hope you don't mind Ashlesha, but I took the liberty of asking Meher to stay on with us and taking care of Heer".
Preet looked up from his plate in surprise.
"What?!" cried Ashlesha. She was about to voice her disapproval, but then she remembered she was talking to Preet's sister. "I mean...No...Why would I mind?" she said exchanging a disappointed look with Maya.
Hope you liked it. Please do leave your comments. Or atleast hit the like button. Thanks😛
Credit: The little Tu Tu Main Main in hindi between Meet is adapted from Dulhan hum Le Jayenge.
Chapter 11 Preview : Does Meher join the Junejas for dinner?
Ashlesh cooks!
Will Preet and Meher stop "running" into each other?
Edited by ummesulaiman - 10 years ago