Chapter 11 - An Accomplished Woman
Later that evening, Meher was looking over the clothes her mother had sent over for her. What to wear...what to wear, she thought. She had managed to stay upstairs and tend to Heer all day, but now she had to go down for dinner. She finally settled on a simple but lovely red and green shalwar kameez with matching dupatta. Her hair was tied up in a French twist, with slight bangs hanging loosely on either side. She looked beautiful, but only she didn't realize it.
"Ugh! I knew I shouldn't have had that extra paratha for lunch", she scolded herself while looking at her reflection in the mirror. "What do you think Heer Di? Do I look very fat? Will I disgrace you?"
Heer smiled at her sister. "Meher, you know very well that you're looking very pretty", she said.
"But is that good enough for the Junejas?" asked Meher with a sigh. "The superior duo of Maya and Ashlesha wish me miles from here, and that Preet keeps on calling me Ms. Bhainsllo, even though I only fell him by accident...twice. Only Kulraj and your Prem are polite and welcoming".
"He's not my Prem", replied Heer with a shy smile.
"What! With the way he dotes on you!" cried Meher pointing to the flowers and 'Get Well Soon' balloons Prem had brought for Heer earlier. "Oh I think he is your Prem...or he very soon will be". Meher kissed her sister on the head and headed downstaris not exactly sure where to go, when she heard sounds coming from a room to the left. How do these rich people keep track of so many rooms she thought.
Prem, Preet and Herman were in the game room playing billiards. Kulraj came in to call everyone for dinner. "Hey guys, dinner is ready".
"Great!" said Herman. "What's for dinner Kulraj Didi? I am starving!"
"Actually", said Kulraj, "Ashlesha is cooking so I'm not sure, but she said it was going to be a surprise".
"I'm surprised she knows how to cook", said Preet, coughing as Herman hit him in the ribs with his elbow.
Just then Meher entered the room. Everyone turned around to look at her as she came in. Preet did a double take, his eyes looking Meher over from head to toe. "Meher", said Kulraj, "perfect timing...dinner is ready, come I'll take you to the dining room".
Meher went with Kulraj, followed by Herman. Preet was still looking in the direction that Meher had been standing in. He hadn't realized it but his mouth had fallen open. His reaction hadn't gone unnoticed by a very amused Prem. Preet had spared no chance to tease him about Heer, so he was not going to let his chance for a payback go. "Ahem", said Prem, clearing his throat, "I guess she's a little more tolerable now".
"Wha...What?" asked Preet.
"Aray moon to band karlo yaar", said Prem, pushing Preet's jaw up. (At least close your mouth).
"Wait a minute", said Preet with a sheepish grin, "just what are you insinuating PB, that I have a thing for Ms. Bhainsllo? Forget it. She' s a little bit country. I'm a little bit Rock 'N Roll. This Donnie and Marie deal is not going to happen. She's a country hick PB, not my type". But there was an uncertainty in his voice that was making him uncomfortable.
"Whatever you say", said Prem, leaving a protesting Preet to follow him.
In the dining room, Ashlesha was making a big fuss and show about how she had slaved over a hot stove to prepare dinner, and she made sure to occupy the seat next to Preet so that she could serve him directly. "So Ash...what's for dinner?" asked Preet looking at the strange smelling dish in front of him.
"I call it "Chicken Surprise'", replied Ashlesha with a proud smile. "And you know why it's called "Chicken Surprise"...because it doesn't have any chicken in it!"
"Then what does it have?" asked Preet with a worried look.
"It's made from Tofu, it's like a meat substitute", explained Ashlesha.
"So..it has no meat?" asked Preet. He knew he was in trouble.
"No...none at all", said Ashlesha. "No meat, no oil, no additives, no preservatives...".
"And no taste", Preet and Meher mumbled simultaneously under their breath.
Although it was unintended, it was just loud enough for Ashlesha to hear. Preet smiled nervously at Meher, who was seated opposite him.
"Here Preet", said Ashlesha, holding a spoonful of the "Chicken Surprise" under his nose, "you get to taste it first...I know how you love to eat".
Why do I have to be the sacrificial lamb, thought Preet. He held his breath and took a bite. It was terrible! It tasted like cardboard and water. He wanted to spit it out, but where? On one side sat Ash and the other PB.
"How is it Preet?" asked Ashlesha.
"Mmm...Mmm", said Preet swallowing hard. "I...Uh...Why I have no words to describe this culinary experience".
"I'm glad you liked it Preet", said Ashlesha grinning widely and putting a spoonful of another something on his plate. "Here...It'll go really well with my special rice".
"Let me guess", winced Preet, "this contains no rice".
"Right!" exclaimed Ashlesha. "It's cracked wheat!"
"You know what", said Prem getting up rather quickly. "I just remembered I have to make an important business call".
"Um...Yeah...", said Kulraj, "I really had a big lunch with the kids, speaking of whom...They seem awfully quiet...I really should go check on them".
"Kulraj Didi, I'll go with you", said Meher, "I should really check on Heer Di".
Now it was Preet's turn. "Actually Ash", he said, "I just remembered that I have an upwas (fast) today".
"What?!" cried Ashlesha. "What day is it today? And anyways Preet Juneja, this dish is purely vegan!"
"I know", said Preet, desperately looking for an exit strategy. "It's an eat only non-veg upwas".
"Eat only non-veg upwas?" asked Ashlesha in a confused manner.
"Yeah...Thanks for dinner Ash, but maybe another time. Um...Herman Bhaiya...don't you have an important call to make or something?" said Preet, trying to save his brother.
Herman looked up in a clueless manner. "What? Um...No Preet, I'm really hungry...phone calls can wait until after dinner", said Herman. Preet looked at his brother in surprise. "What?" asked Herman, "I like tofu".
Later that evening, when they were sure dinner was safely over, Prem, Preet and Kulraj joined Maya and Ashlesha in the living room. Preet began typing away on his laptop. Prem was looking over some papers, and Kulraj was playing chutes and ladders with her kids. Herman, Maya, and Ashlesha meanwhile busied themselves with a game of cards. Just then Meher entered the living room. Preet looked up from what he was doing. He had been wondering where she had disappeared to.
"Ah Meher", said Prem, "How's Heer?"
"She's a little better", said Meher, "Thank you for asking".
"Would you like to join us in our card game?" asked Herman.
"Oh no, it's alright", replied Meher. "I'd like to look at the books on your shelf, if you don't mind", she asked Ashlesha.
"Help yourself", replied Ashlesha dryly. Meher picked out a book on Renaissance artists and their paintings.
"A picture book", said Ashlesha looking at Meher, "How country like...I mean how quaint". She had not forgotten the 'No taste' remark and wanted to get back at Meher for the insult.
Meher marvelled at Ashlesha's ignorance. "Actually, it's a book on Italian Renaissance artists, like Bellini, Botticelli, Da Vinci, and Michaelangelo", she said.
"Ms. Maan is a great reader I'm sure", said Maya sarcastically, "and never wastes her time on anything as frivolous as a game of cards".
Meher looked at her questioningly and replied, "I'm afraid I'm not a great reader and unfortunately enjoy many frivolous activities", she said.
"You apparently enjoy art", said Prem smiling, "Do you draw or paint?"
"Oh yes!" cried Meher excitedly.
"Do you take lessons?" asked Ashlesha.
"Sometimes...from a neighbor", replied Meher, "she used to be a professional artist. I mean... I'm just an amateur at best".
"I'm sure", said Ashlesha.
"We have some great art decorating some of our luxury hotels", said Preet.
"Really", asked Meher with interest, "which artists?"
"I don't know", said Preet. "Al Pacino...Picasso...it's all French to me".
"Actually", said Meher, "Picasso was Spanish". Hmph! Pada likha gawar, she thought. (Hmph! An educated illiterate).
"Yeah right", said Preet, "but I bet Tanu can draw better than him".
"But his abstract works are some of his most famous pieces!" protested Meher.
"What are you up to Preet?" asked Ashlesha hoping to break up Preet and Meher's conversation.
"Oh, I got an email earlier from Veera, and I just want to reply to it", said Preet.
"Ah...Veera!", said Ashlesha, "the youngest of the Junejas. Such an accomplished young lady. She's studying in London on scholarship you know", she said to Meher. Studying in university was only a dream for Meher, she only replied back with a smile.
"It's amazing to me", said Prem, "how despite being the underdogs in a 'Man's World', how accomplished all you young ladies are".
"What are you talking about Prem?!" cried Ashlesha, looking at Meher in a condecending manner. "all young ladies are not accomplished! In fact, I can't boast of knowing more than half-a-dozen who are really accomplished".
"Well", said Prem, shifting uncomfortably in his chair, "all I know are". Why had he started this topic, he thought.
"You mean we all cook, clean, and take care of the kids?" cross-examined Maya. "How typically male chauvinistic".
"Exactly!" said Ashlesha. "No young woman can really be considered accomplished until she has at least attained some level of higher education, a thorough knowledge of music, art, the modern languages, and have at least some sense of fashion. Then of course", continued Ashlesha, marching from one end of the room to the other as if she was doing a catwalk, "there should be some degree of elegance in her tone of voice and her manner of walking". Meher knew all of Maya and Ashlesha's darts were directed at her.
"Perhaps Meher, some of what Ashlesha may be saying is a little above your level of comprehension", said Maya with fake sweetness, "but then you have not had the advantage of moving around in society like we have. There are many such accomplished young ladies in our circle of friends".
"Ahem", said Herman, "Ash...Maya...What about our game?"
"Oh! I don't want to play anymore", said Ashlesha, in hopes of impressing Preet. "I think I'd like to read a book too".
Meher got up from her seat and handed her book to Ashlesha. She wished everyone a good-night and went up to her room. Preet watched Meher as she left. He knew Ashlesha and Maya had gone overboard with their remarks. Maybe he should have said something, he thought looking at Ashlesha with disgust. Poor girl, he thought thinking of Meher. But then, he figured, maybe that was the problem...she is just a poor girl. Still, he remained bothered about the way Meher had been treated.
Tears were stinging Meher's eyes, but she managed to control them until she closed the door of her room. She had been thoroughly humiliated by Maya and Ashlesha and she had never felt so small and insignificant in her life. She could really use a hug from her Papaji right now. "Please Heer Di", she whispered looking over at Heer's sleeping figure, "please get well soon".
It was midnight when Meher finally decided to get up. She had been tossing and turning in bed for the last half-hour. Her empty and grumbling stomach were not about to let her fall asleep. Maybe I can find something to eat in the kitchen, she thought. She tiptoed downstairs in the dark, taking care not to make a sound. The last thing she wanted was to run into Ashlesha. She felt her way to the kitchen with her arms outstretched. Little did she know, a tall figure was walking quickly yet stealthily towards the kitchen from the opposite side. Both crashed into each other with a thud, just as they neared the fridge.
"Chore! Chore!" cried a startled and frightened Meher. (Thief! Thief!)
Preet immediately put his hand over her mouth to stifle the noise. "Shhh! Meher, it's only me...Preet".
"Tum?! (You?!)" cried Meher.
"Shhh!" hissed Preet.
"I mean tum?" said Meher in a hushed tone. "Tum yahan kya kar rahay ho?" (What are you doing here?)
"The same thing you are doing", grinned Preet, "looking for something to eat".
"I am not!" said Meher. Her face was turning red from the embarrassment of being caught. Thank God the lights are out, she thought. "I just came down for a drink of water", she lied.
"So you're looking for water by the fridge and not the sink?" asked Preet.
"Ugh!" said Meher, "Why am I wasting my time?" She turned to go when all of a sudden she yelled "Ouch! Mere baal!" (My hair!)
"Shhh!" whispered Preet, "What's wrong with you?! Do you want to wake up the whole house?!"
"My hair!" whispered Meher, "It's stuck on something".
Preet looked down at where something was tugging on his shirt. "That something happens to be my shirt's button", he said smiling mischievously. Meher rolled her eyes. Her day had been bad enough, now her night was turning into a nightmare. "Here...let me help", said Preet, raising his hand to loosen her hair.
"I don't need your help!" hissed Meher, "just stand still while I untangle my hair".
"Okay", said Preet, putting his hands up in the air as if he was surrendering.
Meher had just finished unraveling her hair from Preet's buttons, when all of a sudden he grabbed her by both arms and pulled her into the small pantry on one side of the kitchen. "What the...", said Meher. Preet covered her mouth with his hand, then motioned for her to keep quiet as he pointed towards the crack in the pantry's door. Someone had turned on the kitchen lights.
Meher peeked through the crack and had to control her laugh when she saw that it was Ashlesha, walking around with a green colored face pack and curlers in her hair. Preet on the other hand, unaware that he still had his arms around Meher was staring at her lovely face. She looked beautiful when she smiled, he thought, and the long brown hair framing her face made it look even more beautiful. Her soft fingertips were pressed gently against the spot where his chest was left bare from his shirt being only half-buttoned, and her scent was making him weak in the knees. Lilacs, he thought. She smelled like lilacs...Fresh, clean, sweet and innocent.
As Ashlesha left the kitchen, Meher turned to look at Preet, and realized that he was still holding onto her with his gaze fixed on her face. She saw where her hand had been resting on his bare chest and immediately pulled it back. Her eyes locked with Preet's for a few seconds. His proximity to her was making Meher feel uncomfortable.
"Will you let go of me!" she cried as she wriggled free from his grip and exited the pantry. "That was close", said Meher, "And what do you think you were staring at?"
"What me?" asked Preet, trying to regain his composure. "Nothing...I was just...uh...Hey! Weren't you going to fix us a snack or something?"
"I was?" asked Meher.
"Well", said Preet, "It's the least you can do considering I just saved you from a very compromising situation".
"What?!" cried Meher.
"Just imagine...", said Preet taking slow steps toward Meher as she backed up, "You...Me...Alone in the dark...At this hour...Your hair tangled in my buttons..."
"Alright, alright", said Meher giving up. She looked in the fridge and pulled a few items out and quickly slapped something in Preet's hand.
"What's this?" asked Preet.
"I call it a C-L-T", replied Meher. That stands for cheese-lettuce-and tomato sandwich. Sorry, but you'll have to take a rain check on the aloo ke parathe (potato filled bread)". Meher grabbed a similar sandwich for herself, and ran back upstairs.
Preet took a bite of his sandwich and turned to leave as well. Beats cardboard and water anytime, he thought. He touched the spot on his chest where Meher's hand had been resting earlier, then smiled and turned back to look in the direction Meher had just run off in.
I don't think I'll be getting much sleep tonight, he thought.
Hope you liked it. Please leave your comments or at least hit the like button😛.
Credit: The Chicken Surprise bit was inspired by something I had read once in a book by Hassan Radwan, but I don't remember which one.
Chapter 12 Preview: A surprise suitor for Meher!
Edited by ummesulaiman - 10 years ago
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