Chapter 23 - A Confrontation
Meher stumbled through the crowd of guests, and made her way to the garden at the back of the hotel. She sat down on a bench and tried to control her fast breathing. Her mind was still reeling from the conversation she had overheard between Maya and Ashlesha.
"Why? Why on earth would he do this?" she cried
"Ever since she ditched him for that Viren character, Preet's been waiting to take his revenge on Meher".
"He made a bet that he could trick that behanji and take her out".
"As soon as she begins to think something special is going on, he'll drop her like a bomb".
"He doesn't forgive or forget that easily".
"Preet had rallied the family against Prem's decision to propose to Heer".
"Preet had put an end to that fiasco in the making".
"He's made sure any communication from Heer never reaches Prem".
The words kept echoing in her mind over and over again. "Oh my God! Poor Heer Didi!" sobbed Meher.
"Meher!" called Preet. "Meher, where are you?" Meher quickly wiped her tears as the person she least wanted to see right now approached her.
"There you are!" said Preet, "I've been looking all over for you. He came and sat down next to Meher. "What's wrong Meher?" he asked. "Why did you run out like that? Have you been crying? Ash ne kuch kaha kya?" (Did Ash say something to you?)
Meher looked up at Preet in surprise. "Ash ne hi kuch kaha hoga. (I'm sure Ash must have said something to upset you). I saw you run out of the powder room soon after Ash and Maya came out. Look Meher, us Ash ka toh koi ilaaj nahin. (There is no accounting for what Ash does). Just do what I do and ignore her. You know... in one ear and out the other". He reached out to wipe Meher's tear stained cheek, but Meher put her hand up and stopped him.
"You needn't worry about me Preet, I'm alright", said Meher taking a deep breath. "In fact, I'm actually grateful to Ashlesha. I've been asleep all this time...but now my eyes have finally opened up".
"What?" asked Preet. "Oh hey...yeah...I know...All this traditional ceremonial stuff can get a little boring. Anyway, they're getting ready for the bidai (bidding the bride farewell). Sam and her mom have been crying like fountains. Come on, I know you wouldn't want to miss all the emotional drama being a girl and all. I mean you know how girls love that stuff".
Preet got up to leave when he noticed that Meher still sat unaffected and lost in thought. All of a sudden it began to rain very hard. Preet grabbed Meher's hand and dragged her to the nearest gazebo for shelter.
"Whoa! What a downpour!" cried Preet. His heart skipped a beat, when he turned and looked at Meher. Her eyes were shut and her breathing deep. Her clothes were wet and little pearl like raindrops were dripping from her hair onto her beautiful face. The steady downpour gently beat down on the roof of the gazebo. Meher was still trying to catch her breath when she suddenly became aware of Preet standing very close to her. "Meher...", he whispered in a husky voice.
"I should go back inside", said Meher taking a step away. "Shampa will be worried". She started to walk away when Preet took a hold of her hand and stopped her.
"Meher wait...", he pleaded. "At least until the rain let's up. It'll give us a chance to be alone. I've been meaning to talk to you...Especially since we both have to go back home soon".
Meher looked questioningly at Preet, who was pacing back and forth now. "This wasn't supposed to happen, you know", he said. "Not to me anyway. Not the Great Preet Juneja. And certaintly not with you. I mean...I tried...really I did...to put everything that happened in India behind me, but then you showed up here again and then with every moment we spent together...Wham! It's useless. I've struggled in vain and can't bear it any longer".
"I don't understand", said Meher.
"I love you", blurted Preet. He came up close to Meher and put both hands on her shoulders. "Very, very much".
Meher's mouth fell open in surprise. She then closed it as a smile appeared on her lips. Suddenly she burst out laughing and clapped her hands loudly. "And the filmfare award for the best actor- male - goes to... Preet Juneja!" she said, her smile suddenly disappearing.
Preet was confused. This wasn't exactly the reaction he had expected. "You think this is a joke!" he said. "All this time I've been trying to muster up the courage to tell you how I feel and all you do is laugh at me!"
"Sorry Preet...jitni gullible lagti hoon, itni hoon nahin", said Meher. "Waise... 'bet' kitni ki lagyi thi?" (I'm not as gullible as I look. By the way, how much did you bet?)
"Bet? What bet?" asked a confused Preet.
"Ashlesha", replied Meher simply. "I overheard her and Maya talking about how you were being so nice to me just so I'd fall for you..and then...how did she put it...Oh yes...us behanji", Meher said pointing to herself, " ko bomb ki tarah drop kardo ge. (drop that loser like a bomb). Sorry, but your plan flopped".
"Us Ashlesha ki toh (Damn that Ashlesha)..."cried Preet angrily. "Look Meher, you've got it all wrong. I don't know what her motives are, but Ashlesha was lying. Dharti Ma ki qasam (I swear)".
Meher was not easily swayed, and just pushed past Preet and began to walk away. "Mere PB ki qasam Meher (I swear on my brother PB Meher)", said Preet quietly, "I really do love you".
Meher stopped and looked back at Preet. She knew he loved his brother more than anything, and wouldn't have sworn in his name in vain. But she loved her sister too, and what he had done was unforgivable.
"I don't know how, when or why it happened", continued Preet, "but almost from the first time we met, there was something about you that...I don't know...I can't explain it. I mean I never told anyone, because I never understood it myself. Only Prem Bhaiya had an idea, but I would always deny it.
With all the times you fell on me, I'm sure Ma would say 'Rab ne bana di Jodi (God had meant us to be)', but I mean like come on. Who would have ever thought that you and me...I mean we're like polar opposites.
You're from a small rural town in India, and I live abroad in a big city. You like staring at wall hangings...I mean paintings, and I like skydiving. You attend country fairs and I go to clubs, and the list goes on and on. Not to mention that there's a huge difference in our families, rank, and circumstances.
God! I'll have a lot of explaining to do to Bauji. But I don't care. I mean...my better judgement, my family's expectations...All these I'm willing to put aside, and ask you to put me out of my misery". Preet took hold of Meher's hand and got down on one knee. "Marry me Meher", he said.
Meher was stunned. It took her a moment to digest what Preet had just said. Why do all the marriage proposals I get sound like insults? she wondered. She took a deep breath and quietly pulled her hand back from Preet's hold. "I appreciate the struggle you have gone through Preet and I'm sorry to have caused you any pain. Believe me it was unconscientiously done", she said.
Preet waited for more from Meher, but she fell silent. "I don't understand", he said. "Is this your reply? I mean...are you laughing at me?"
"No", said Meher.
"Are you rejecting me?!" Preet cried in disbelief.
"You forget Preet", said Meher, "I never went after you or cared about your good opinion of me, and I'm sure your...what did you call it...your better judgement...and the differences between us which kept you from admitting your feelings, even to yourself, will help you in getting over this rejection. Now if you'll excuse me...". She once again tried to leave.
Preet blocked her way. "Tum kahin nahi ja rahi ho Meher (You're not going any where Meher)...I want to know why you're rejecting me aur who bhi itni berukhi ke saat (and that too with so little feeling)", he said in an bitter tone.
"And I also would like to know why after insulting me with your lengthy list of my deficiencies, you chose to tell me that you liked me...against your will...against even your better judgement!" cried Meher.
"No, believe me I didn't mean...", said Preet.
"Tumhari proposal ka andaaz shahid meri berukhi dikhane ki aik wajah hai Preet (The manner of your proposal may be one reason for my being less than civil)... but I have other reasons. You know I have." interrupted Meher.
"What reasons?" asked a bewildered Preet.
Meher swallowed hard. "Do you think anything in the world could possibly tempt me to accept the man who has ruined perhaps forever the happiness of a most beloved sister. Do you deny it Preet?! That you separated a young couple who loved each other. You coaxed your brother, who you claim to love so much, into making an impulsive decision that left my Heer Didi with disappointed hopes. A decision that's left both of them miserable".
Preet looked at Meher in shock. "How did you...How did you find out?" he whispered.
"Do you deny it Preet?! Do you deny it?!" cried Meher.
"No", said Preet, taking a deep breath. "I don't".
Meher began to cry. "My Di's never hurt anyone in her entire life. So what was her offense in your eyes Mr. Preet Juneja?! How could you do this to her?!"
"Because I believed your sister to be indifferent to him!" said Preet.
"Indifferent? I don't believe this!" cried Meher.
"I watched them most closely and realized his attachment was deeper than hers!" said Preet.
"That's because she's shy!" cried Meher.
"Prem Bhaiya is also modest and was persuaded that Heer didn't feel strongly enough for him!" said Preet.
"Only because you suggested it!" exclaimed Meher.
"I did it for his own good!" Preet snapped back. Both Preet and Meher suddenly realized that they had been yelling at each other, and became quiet.
Meher took a deep breath. "My sister hardly shows her true feelings to me Preet", she said calmly. "I suppose you felt that his wealth...or better yet, our lack of it had some bearing in the matter".
"Well...", Preet began carefully, "it was suggested that..."
"What was?" interrupted Meher.
"It was made perfectly clear that an advantageous marriage...", continued Preet.
"Did my sister give that impression?!" cried Meher.
"No...", sighed Preet. "But...there was I have to admit the matter of your family".
"My family? What are you talking about?" asked Meher. "Our want of connections? Or my parent's dreams of something better for their daughter? What's so outlandish about that?! And anyway Prem Ji didn't seem to be bothered about our status".
"No it was more than that!" cried Preet.
"What Preet?!" demanded Meher.
"I overheard your mother and chachee talking Meher! I heard it all. How they had sent Heer in the rain hoping she would be kept at the Havaili. How they hoped her charms would lure super rich Prem Juneja into making an offer of marriage. You should have heard them. Unki bas chalti to woh PB ke paisoon ki ginti shuroo kardete. (It was as if they were already counting PB's money). And don't even get me started on your cousin's improper behavior at the Mela, or your uncle's, or even your father's!"
"Bas (Enough) Preet!" cried Meher.
"Kyun Meher?" asked Preet. "Kyun Bas? Just like tumhe Ash aur Maya ki batein sun kar mere bare mein ghalat fehmi ho gayi, isi tarah mein bhi tumhari family ki harkatoon ko dekh ker pereshan ho gaya tha. (Why Meher? Why enough? Just like you misunderstood me because of Ash and Maya's lies I also fell prey to misunderstanding after witnessing your family's words and actions). And I did whatever I could to protect my brother!"
"Then why tell me you love me Preet?" asked Meher. "Why ask me to marry you? If it was wrong for Prem Ji and Heer Didi to be together, for the reasons you mentioned, then why is it suddenly okay for Meher and Preet?"
Preet fell silent. He had no answer for Meher, except that he hadn't been able to control his feelings for her any longer. Something he was paying a heavy price for now.
"And what about Viren?" Meher suddenly spoke up.
"Viren?!" asked Preet. The sound of that dirt bag's name coming from Meher's mouth was enough to get Preet fired up again.
"What excuse can you give for your behavior towards him?" continued Meher.
"You take an eager interest in that man's concerns", said Preet with disgust.
"He told me of his misfortunes...", stated Meher.
"Yeah right! His misfortunes have been great indeed!" mocked Preet.
"How dare you!" cried Meher. "You ruined his chances at prosperity and still you have the gall to treat him with sarcasm!"
Preet laughed out loud. "So this is your opinion of me?" he said. "Perhaps my offenses would have been overlooked, if your pride had not been hurt..."
"My pride?!" cried Meher.
"...By my honesty in admitting scruples about our relationship!" shouted Preet.
Now it was Meher's turn to get angry. "Logo ki zindigi ke saat khelte huay tumhe mazak lagta ho ga Preet, lekin zindagi mazaak nahin hoti! (You may think it's a joke to play with people's lives Preet, but it's not!)" She pushed Preet back with both her hands. "Meri Didi ki zindagi barbad ho gayi hai! Mere parivar ko khushiyan milte milte reh gayi. Wo bhi sirf aik ghair zimidaar aur matlabi insaan ki waja se! Kissi ki khushiyan cheenay ka tumhe koi haq nahin hai! (My sister's life is ruined. My family's happines was stolen from them. That too by an irresponsible and insensitive person like you! You had no right to do that!)
Meher pushed Preet back once more. "Main tumse nafrat karti hoon Preet Juneja! Tum soch bhi nahi sakte us say bhi hazaar gunna ziyada! (I hate you Preet Juneja. You can't even begin to imagine how much!) I wouldn't marry you even if you were the last man on earth! "
Meher ran off leaving a stunned Preet staring after her until she disappeared in the darkness.
Hope you liked it. 😛 All credit of course goes to Jane Austen for writing such a wonderful story.
Please leave your comments or at least hit the like button.
Chapter 24 Preview - Preet tries to make amends
Edited by ummesulaiman - 10 years ago
Cricket
