Chapter 18 - A Marriage Proposal
Two days later, Meher was sitting by the window looking at the afternoon sky dreamily and pondering over the events at the mela. Her encounter with Preet...On one hand he had yet again insulted her by calling her fat...and the next minute he had tried to make amends by winning her a necklace. And the way he had held her close and put on those chudiyan. Meher's thoughts were interrupted by sounds of hustle and bustle coming from the kitchen.
Heer was in the kitchen with Teji busy preparing what looked like a special meal. "Wow! Khusbhoo to bauhat achee arahi hai (Something smells really good)", said Meher as she walked in. "Bhindi! (Okra!)" she squealed and reached out to pick up a tasty morsel. Heer smacked her hand. "Ouch Didi! What was that for?" asked Meher frowning.
"You madam are on a diet", said Heer sternly. "Besides", she continued with her stern look fading into a shy smile, "this bhindi is not for you, it's for Prem...It's his favorite".
"Oh ho! To yeh sab teyarian unke liye hain (So all these preparation are for him)", said Meher.
"Yes", said Heer happily.
"Oh Meher! I can't believe it! Prem told me at the mela that he wanted to come by tonight and speak with Ma and Papaji about something!"
"And I wonder if that something means ke meri Didi ki bauhat jaldi doli sajne wali hai (that my sister will be getting married very soon)", teased Meher.
"Meher Maan, will you stop teasing and start helping me. There are a million and one things to be done!" cried Heer.
"Sure...As soon as I taste test some of this!" cried Meher, as she grabbed a morsel of bhindi and made a run for it with Heer running after her.
Meher ran straight to the living room window and started shouting excitedly while pointing out the window. "They're here! They're here!" Heer ran up to the window nervously, only to find Meher peeling from laughter at her sister's reaction. Heer gave Meher an angry look and started to walk away, when Meher began to sing (From Vivah):
O Jiji...Kya keh ke unko bulao gi...Dulha banke jo ayenge
O Jiji...Bolo to...Kya keh ke unko bulao gi...Ddulha banke jo ayenge
Heer hands a broom to Meher and motions her to continue cleaning while she sets some sweets on the table. She replies:
Aye-ji, O-ji...Hum na kahainge
Hum to isharoon main batein karange
Aye-ji, O-ji...Hum na kahainge
Hum to isharoon main batein karange
Sab jaise apne unko bulaate hain
Waise hum na bulayenge...Oh choti
Meher picks up a sweet and pops it in her mouth and sings:
Shaddi hai Delhi ka laddoo
Laddoo yeh her man mein phoote
Iska lage her danna bhala
Heer playfully hits Meher on the head and sings:
Ho..Jo khaye pachtaye
Jo na khaye who pachtaye
To kha kar hi pachtana bhala
Yeh ladoo tujko bhi ik din khilaye ge
Tere saajan jab ayein ge (Meher rolls her eyes)
Oh choti
Meher sees Heer looking out the window again and sings:
Ganay ko tum ga rahi ho
Ji apna behla rahi ho
Nazar to hai rahoon mein lagi
Heer pretending to be angry replies:
Aye choti to khoti bari hai
Behna ko bas chairdi hai
Main to yahan kamo main lagi
Meher teases Heer:
Anay do...Jiji tumhare dil ki dashaa jija ko bataoongi
Oh Jiji
Both girls were running around turning their work into play when Meher ran into Manmeet. "Oh! I am so sorry...", muttered Meher. "We were just...".
"It's okay", said Manmeet, flashing her a wide grin. Just then Teji and Kuljeet Chachee entered the room.
"Meher Beta", said Teji quietly, "Manmeet would like to talk to you".
"Um...okay", said Meher, wondering why her mother was looking so worried.
"Heer Beta", said Kuljeet, taking Heer by the arm, "shouldn't you go upstairs and get ready for your special visitor? Come on Teji...Let's help Heer decide on her outfit, that way Manmeet and Meher can have sometime alone to talk".
The world 'alone' set off fire alarms in Meher's mind. "Alone! Why would we want to be left alone?!"
"Meher beta...", Teji tried to explain.
"What Ma?!" interrupted Meher. "Manmeet can have nothing to say to me that he can't say in front of everyone else. Heer Di...", continued Meher, taking Heer by the arm and walking towards the staircase, "Come on...I'm sure you'll need my invaluable input on what to wear tonight".
"Meher stop!" cried Kuljeet Chachee. "I insist that you stay here and listen to what Manmeet has to say!" Kuljeet gave Manmeet a knowing smile and took Heer and Teji with her upstairs.
Meher swallowed hard as Manmeet took a step closer to her. "Believe me Meher your bashful modesty only adds to my already high opinion of you. As you know, my time in India is almost up", he said.
"Oh is it?" said Meher, "So soon?"
"I know...You feel it too", said Manmeet taking a deep breath. He leaned in close and tweaked Meher's cheek. "But enough with the small talk. Certainly you can be in no doubt as to what I want to talk to you about. My attentions towards you have been too marked to be mistaken".
"Manmeet please don't...", said Meher.
"Ah...the sound of my name falling from your lips...", said Manmeet, taking another deep breath. "Ahem...but please Meher, before my emotions runaway from me...let me finish". Realizing his determination to make a fool of himself, Meher gave up and sat down.
"First of all I think a person at my age and in my position in life is well suited for marriage", said Manmeet. "Secondly, a lot of the guys in my circle of friends have married. Some have even become fathers. I can't be seen as falling behind, now can I? Do you know how awkward it gets at parties sometimes? And then there are times you don't even get invited because it's more of a couples kind of get together! Thirdly, since I will inherit this property once Balraj Chacha passes away, I thought it was only fair that I choose a wife from one of his daughters".
So these are his reasons for wanting to marry me, thought Meher. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Almost from the very first moment I saw you", continued Manmeet, "I singled you out as the companion of my future life. I mean you're not brought up too high or highly educated, but you seem to be a gentle, active, useful sort of person...and may I mention you are definitely easy on the eyes". Meher's mouth fell open.
"Let me assure you", continued Manmeet, "that your status in life, or the lack of a dowry will never be mentioned by me once we are married". He took Meher's hand into his as if sealing the deal. "Now all I have to do is let your father know and..."
"Just a minute!" cried Meher. "I think you're being just a little too hasty. And before you bring the Pandit into the picture, let me put a few things straight! I appreciate the fact that you believe I am worthy enough to be your companion in life, and your concern for my well being after my father's demise is touching, but I'm sorry I can't accept your offer. Just the thought of me marrying you is...Ugh!"
Meher got up and went into the kitchen followed by Manmeet. "But...but Meher!" cried Manmeet.
"No buts Manmeet!" exclaimed Meher. "You could never make me happy, and believe me I'm the last woman on earth that could make you happy!"
Meher began frying some bite size samosas, hoping that if she looked busy enough Manmeet would finish the topic and go away. But no such luck.
"I don't understand...", said Manmeet, looking all confused, "didn't you see the pictures of my house...you know my position in life...I'm an NRI for God's sake!"
Meher popped a samosa in her mouth to keep from using certain Punjabi curses she normally would save for just such an occasion.
"Oh don't eat that", said Manmeet. "My friend Suneil's wife has still not lost the weight after the baby, and it doesn't look pretty mind you". Meher was seriously tempted to hit Manmeet over the head with the frying pan she was holding.
"I know what this is...", said Manmeet, as if a light bulb suddenly went on, "You're playing hard to get aren't you? You're saying 'No' when you really mean 'Yes'! It's you're way of increasing my love for you...Sure...I've read something like that in GQ while waiting to check out at the grocery store..."
"What?!" cried Meher. "Are you crazy?! Look Manmeet, I'm a very rational creature, and when I say I'm not interested...I mean I'm not interested. So you can stop feeling guilty about inheriting this property some day, and..."
"Okay...", interrupted Manmeet, "I didn't want to have to do this, but here goes". He pulled Meher close, looked into her eyes and gave her a smoldering look. "Certainly you won't be able to resist me now".
Meher's thoughts drifted again towards using the frying pan. Instead she just pushed Manmeet out of her way and tried to leave the kitchen.
Manmeet grabbed her by the hand and stopped her. "You think you're all that don't you?!" he said getting agitated.
"Manmeet stop!" cried Meher.
"You should be grateful that I came all the way out here to this little hell-hole and asked you to marry me!" said Manmeet twisting her arm a bit.
"Manmeet you're hurting me!" winced Meher.
"You're just a poor, uneducated, farm girl with no prospects...It's very likely that you may never get another offer of marriage", continued Manmeet.
Meher was at the end of her rope. She reached over and grabbed a fork lying on the kitchen counter and stabbed Manmeet in the hand he was holding her by. "Yeow!" screamed Manmeet as he grabbed his hand in pain.
"That's Miss poor, uneducated, farm girl to you!" exclaimed Meher as she ran out of the kitchen.
Within minutes the entire house was in an uproar, with Manmeet storming off to his room to pack his things immediately and swearing not to stay another minute. Kuljeet Chachee went into a fit of hysterics, while Balwant and Balraj tried to calm her down.
"I don't believe this!" cried Kuljeet, "Finally a marriage proposal comes to this house and this hotheaded creature goes and attacks her suitor with a fork!"
"I didn't attack him!" protested Meher, "I was defending myself!"
"Balraj and Teji maybe we can still salvage the situation if you will talk some sense into your daughter!"
"Meher Beta...", said Teji.
"No Ma! I won't marry him!" exclaimed Meher.
"But he's an NRI!" cried Kuljeet.
"Hmpf!...Na Raha Indian!" replied Meher. (No longer Remains an Indian)
"You could go live in America, and also have this house! Or are you resigned to live in destitution?!" argued Kuljeet Chachee.
"No!" replied Meher defiantly, "You could give me the moon...and I still wouldn't marry him, and you can't make me!"
Meher stormed off to her room, just as Shampa arrived for a visit. "Hi everybody!" she said, her smile fading as she realized she had just walked in on a tense situation. "Is everything alright?" Heer and Vishaka pulled Shampa aside and filled her in on what had just happened.
"Wow! She really hit him with a fork?!" said Shampa laughing, "but then again knowing Meher, I'm not surprised...and here I thought I would be getting the good news today about you Heer".
"Mom's going bezerk, trying to think of a way to keep cousin Manmeet from leaving", said Vishaka.
"Hmmm...do you think it would help if maybe I invited him to dinner at my home?" asked Shampa.
"Oh yes!" cried Heer, "please take him away and feed him or something, until things calm down here. Prem will be here later tonight...and I...". Heer stopped and blushed.
"Don't worry Heer", said Shampa, "I'll take care of your cousin for you".
Not 2 hours had gone by since Shampa took Manmeet home with her, that Meher received a phone call from her friend, with some stunning news. Meher hung up the phone and sat down with her mouth open as if in a daze.
"Meher, what's wrong?" asked Heer.
"It's Shampa", said Meher. "Manmeet asked her to marry him and she's accepted!"
"What?!?" cried Heer, Teji, Vishaka and Kuljeet in unison.
"I knew it!" cried Kuljeet. "I knew something like this would happen. But that Shampa! Aasteen ki samp nikli!"
"Chachee please!" cried Meher, and yet she could not comprehend what was going on. "Ma...Papaji, I have to go and see Shampa. Chachu, will you take me?" asked Meher.
"Sure Beta", replied Balwant.
"But Meher, Prem will be here soon", said Heer.
"Half an hour Di", said Meher running out the door, "I'll be back before mere honay wale Jiju gets here, I promise".
Meanwhile, at the Singh Havaili, Preet was sitting by the living room window looking at the beaded necklace he had won for Meher at the Mela. The one she had refused to accept no matter how much he had pleaded. He should have been angry with her, he thought, but every time he tried, his thoughts would drift to remembering how beautiful she had looked that day. Just thinking about her smile brought a smile to Preet's face. Then he remembered how pleased she had been to see Viren. Why? He wondered. Does she even know who he is? If he does anything to hurt her, thought Preet, his blood beginning to boil. It was his brother's voice that brought him back to reality.
"Preet", said Prem quietly. "Chalain (Shall we go)?" Preet quickly wrapped the colorful string of beads around his wrist and went up to his brother. Putting both hands on Prem's shoulders, he asked, "You're sure you're okay with this PB?"
"Yes!" cried Prem in frustration. "Now let's go before I get nervous and change my mind!" Prem and Preet walked outside, where Kulraj was ushering her kids into one car.
"Well it took you guys long enough. You ready?" she asked, placing a loving hand on Prem's cheek.
"Han Kulraj Didi", said Prem giving her a reassuring smile. "It's getting late, you go on ahead, and Preet and I will follow you in the other car". Prem then walked over to the driver of a third car and gave him some instructions. This is it, he thought, then he turned around and took a deep breath and got in the car with Preet.
At Shampa's house, Meher was relieved to find that Manmeet and Shampa's father had gone out to speak to the pandit about the upcoming wedding. "One week", said Shampa taking a deep breath, "In one week I'll be Mrs. Manmeet Maan".
"Welcome to the family", said Meher sarcastically. "Shampa, what in God's name do you think you're doing. You know he's the most stupidest...'"
"Watch it Meher!" said Shampa, "That's my future husband you're talking about".
"Shampa!" cried Meher in surprise.
"What Meher!" said Shampa. "Do you think Manmeet is incapable of finding a wife just because you rejected him?"
"No!" said Meher. "But you hardly know him. Don't tell me you fell in love with him in just 2 hours. I mean...I just want my best friend to be happy".
"Happiness in marriage is just a matter of chance", replied Shampa. "Look Meher, I'm not a hopeless romantic you know. My decision to marry Manmeet is very practical if you look at it. In this country, as soon as a girl hits her mid-twenties and has not yet nabbed herself a dulha, she's automatically labeled as there being something wrong with her. I see how my mother gets embarrassed when the other aunties let slide that I am not getting any younger and still have not found a husband. I don't have great beauty, wealth or connections to recommend me, and quiet frankly, I'm scared Meher, what if...Ahem...Manmeet is offering me a way out Meher, and a secure future. I'll be as happy with him as anybody else. I wish you'd understand, because I could really use a friend to reassure me right now".
"I may not agree, but I do understand", sighed Meher. She hugged Shampa as she got up to leave. "Welcome to the family", she said offering her friend a weak smile, "and I mean it".
A short while later Meher and Balwant drove up to the end of the field by their home when Meher noticed another car parked there. "Oh no! Looks like Prem Ji is already here. Come on Chachu, hurry up, I don't want to miss seeing Heer Di's face when he pops the question!"
Meher almost ran into the Juneja's driver as he was leaving their home. Inside the house she knew right away that something was wrong. Her father, mother and Chachee all had long faces, while a teary eyed Heer was holding a note in her hands.
"What's wrong?" asked Meher, "Where is Prem Ji?"
"Oh Meher it's all over!" cried Heer between sobs. "He's left!"
"He's left!? Left for what?!" asked Meher, "A business meeting?"
"Here", said Heer handing Meher the note. "It says that his work here is done and he and his family are leaving immediately for Canada! He didn't even stop by in person to say good-bye...just sent a note with the driver".
"I don't understand", said Meher, "What could possibly have happened?"
Hope you all liked it. Please leave your feedback, or atleast hit the like button. 😛
Chapter 19 : Looking for Answers.
Preview: This FF takes a 6 month leap. Will Meet and Premeer meet again? If so under what circumstances?
Edited by ummesulaiman - 10 years ago
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