Chapter 26 - Still in Love
Prem was sitting in his room downloading pictures from his digital camera onto his laptop. It had been a week since Veera's graduation, and the entire family was finally back at home. He absentmindedly clicked from one picture to the next, when all of a sudden he stopped.
There were some older photos in there as well...ones taken at the hotel party in Ludhiana. He scrolled through them until he came to the one he was looking for. There she was, dressed in her green shalwar kameez, long flowing black hair, quiet smile, and those eyes. "Heer", whispered Prem.
Bauji had been very unhappy that Prem had refused to consider marriage with Sanjana Rampal, because he had found someone else. Someone that would make a loving addition to their family, someone with the right sanskar (upbringing), someone so perfect, that when she didn't materialize, Bauji went ballistic.
He would expect Preet to play games with him like that, he had said, but not Prem. He had put him in an awkward situation with his friend Rishap. What was he to say to him? That his once obedient son had suddenly become a rebel! That he was in love with some other girl, a girl who did not exist.
When Preet had interjected and said there were questions as to the girl's family and their motives, that Prem needed some time and space to think. Bauji had replied angrily that he would give him plenty of time and space. So he forbade him any communication with Heer and burdened him with so much work, that he really had not had time to think. But maybe it was better that way.
Prem reached out and touched Heer's cheek on his laptop's screen. Nine months, 2 weeks, 3 days and 16 hours had passed since he had last seen Heer. Nine months was a long time of no communication, no interaction. A lot could have happened in 9 months. She's probably moved on with her life, thought Prem. Maybe even married...No!...He didn't even want to think about the possibility.
Prem was so lost in thought, he didn't even realize Preet had entered his room. He almost jumped out of his seat and snapped his laptop shut when he heard his voice. "Hey PB, are you okay?" asked Preet, walking over and sitting next to Prem.
"Preet tu...tu kab aya?" Prem asked nervously. (Preet, when did you come?)
"Prem bhaiya, aap kahan hain? Main kab se knock kar rah tha (Prem, where is your focus these days. I've been knocking on your door fo so long)", replied Preet. "So", he said looking towards the laptop suspiciously, "What's up?"
"I...I was just going over the pictures taken at Veera's graduation", replied Prem. "I picked up some prints earlier today. Look here's one of all of us together", he said handing a picture to Preet.
"Oh really", smiled Preet. He knew his brother too well. "Then what's this?" he asked as he quickly reached out and flipped Prem's laptop open to reveal Heer's picture.
"Preet!" cried Prem, "Give that back! What are you here to torture me or something?"
"Ouch Bhaiya! I'm hurt." said Preet smiling mischievously, "That's usually Bauji's line". He put his arm lovingly around his elder brother's shoulders and asked more seriously, "You really miss her don't you?"
"What are you talking about Preet?" said Prem, shaking him off. "I told you I was just going over some pictures from Veera's graduation and..."
"And your hand magically slipped and opened up Heer's picture instead", interrupted Preet. "I believe you...It can happen".
Prem rolled his eyes. "Preet koi kaam ki baat hai toh kar". (Preet, did you come here about work?)
"Kaam (Work?)", said Preet pouting, "That's just it...we've been so busy with work and Veera's graduation, we really haven't had a chance to talk. You didn't even ask me how Sam and Gaurav's wedding went".
"You obviously want to tell me, so go ahead", said Prem half-interestedly.
"Well it was the usual wedding stuff", said Preet. "You know sangeet, haldi, mehndi, pheray. You should have seen Sam. She looked beautiful. And Gaurav looked almost as handsome as me. The food was great, and I need not mention that the waterfront backdrop made for a spectacular view".
Preet glanced over at his brother and smiled, he looked bored. "Oh by the way did I mention Heer's sister was at the wedding?" He said, continuing his rant. "Anyway, everything went smoothly, after all, I was supervising".
"What?!" cried Prem sitting up suddenly as if jolted back to reality. "What did you say?"
"I said everything went smoothly because I was supervising", replied Preet teasingly.
"No", cried Prem, "B...B...Before that".
"Sam looked beautiful?" replied Preet.
"No", cried Prem, "After that. You said something about Heer...". Prem caught himself and stopped abruptly. He knew Preet was pulling his leg, and he had fallen in his trap.
Preet decided to put his brother out of his misery and get ready for the boot-licking coming his way. "PB...", he said taking a deep breath, "we need to talk, and this time no jokes".
Preet told him about having met Meher in San Francisco. That he learned from her how devastated Heer had been when Prem left her. That she still loved him, and had refused any other proposals that had come her way. That they had been wrong...No...he had been wrong about the Maans being gold diggers, and mistaken Heer's shy nature for indifference. And that he had learned from Meher that Heer would be touring Canada, including Toronto.
"What?!" cried Prem as he grabbed Preet by the collar. "You mean to say you knew she was in town all that time and you didn't tell me?!"
"I'm sorry PB. I have no explanation, or defense, except that I made a huge mistake in judgement", replied Preet.
"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's words still echoed in his head.
" ...And believe me I've been punished for it", sighed Preet. "Anyways, it's not like we can't fix this". We'll just have to go back and..."
"No Preet...", said Prem, "I left her without even saying good-bye. God! She must hate me! And what will I say to Ma and Bauji, that I want to go back to India, because I now want to marry the girl I left, thinking she's a gold digger!"
"Look PB, I got you into this mess" said Preet, "and I promise I'll get you out of it. I'll talk to Ma and Bauji, and I'll throw myself at Heer bhabi's feet, whatever it takes...I'm sorry PB, you know I love you enough to lay my life down for you...I just didn't want you to get hurt".
Prem ran his hand through his hair in frustration. He looked at Preet's remorseful face, and walked over to his brother and stared hard at him before grabbing him and giving him a hug. "All right Mr. Smarty Pants", he said, "let's see you put your money where your mouth is".
"Okay", said Preet rubbing his hands together. "Our biggest obstacle is Bauji, so we'll need everyone else on our side...and I mean everyone...Kuldi, Jiju, Herman, Veera, but first of all, we need to pull out the big gun. Prem and Preet looked at each other and simultaneously said "Ma!"
Meanwhile in Ambala...
Teji Maan walked into the living room and smiled as she observed both her daughters. Heer was hunched over some embroidery she was working on, and Meher as usual had her canvas and paints out. She had really missed them during their time abroad. The house had become so lonesome without them. But ever since they returned a few days ago, both had been very quiet. Even Meher who was usually active and talkative, seemed to be behaving in a listless manner. Perhaps they're still suffering from jet lag, thought Teji.
She came and sat next to Heer. But Heer was so engrossed in her work, she didn't even notice, or at least pretended not to.
"Alright! That's it!" cried Teji. "I put up with silence in this house for the time you both were gone, but I'm not going to put up with it any more. Mujhe mera hasta khelta parivaar wapas chahiye (I want my happy-go-lucky family back)."
"Ma please...", began Heer.
"Nahin (No) Heer", said Teji, "No more long faces! So what if you weren't able to see Prem. Aray ek rishta nahin bana to kya hua. Meri betiyoon main koi kami agai kya? (So what if one relationship didn't work out? My daughters have no short-comings in them). Falling in love, getting hurt, facing disappointments, picking up the pieces and moving on is all part of the game of life. We all must play whether we want to or not. But you get to decide whether it makes you or breaks you."
"Oh Ma!" sobbed Heer. "I'm trying my best...really I am. I was so in love with Prem that I never even considered what my life would be like if he wasn't a part of it. I used to think if I waited long enough, he'll come back for me. But I realized, especially after going to their place in Toronto, that I was way out of my league. I'm no longer sure about myself, about love, or anything else anymore".
"Heer Didi, maybe you're being a little too hard on Prem Ji", interrupted Meher, "Maybe it wasn't just his fault".
"What are you talking about Meher?" asked Heer. "How could you say that after all that has happened?"
Meher took a deep breath and said, "Didi, I have to tell you something". Without going into details of what happened between them, Meher told Heer how she had met Preet in San Francisco, and that she had learned how he had discouraged Prem from proposing to Heer because he had overheard Kuljeet Chachee spouting nonsense at the Mela.
"So we were right. He was going to propose" smiled Heer. "Wait a minute", she continued, her smile suddenly fading, "I can understand if Preet misunderstood Kuljeet Chachee's over enthusiasm, but what about Prem? How could he have doubted my sincerity? Did he really think that I was after his money?"
"Di, I think it was all just a big mix up", said Meher.
"But Meher he could have come and talked to me about it", said Heer. "Instead he left without even saying good-bye".
"I don't know Didi, may be there was pressure from his family", offered Meher.
"Why are you defending him?!" cried Heer.
"I'm not defending him!" replied Meher. "I just think we shouldn't jump to conclusions. I mean that's how this whole mess started. Sometimes...we misunderstand people. Maybe...if we can somehow communicate with him...he'll come back and...".
"I don't know if I want him to come back now", said Heer. "How could he hurt me like this?! If he really loved me, shouldn't he have known better?"
"Beta (My child)", said Teji as she passed her motherly hand over Heer's head. "Love is a very complicated thing. It can be the most beautiful feeling in the world in one moment, and heart wrenching in the very next. It's a growing process, and it changes every day. And believe me even the best of us make mistakes".
"What are you saying Ma? Are you on Prem's side too?" asked Heer.
"I'm not on anyone's side", replied Teji. "But I agree with Meher, jumping to conclusions never helps. Both you and Prem are very young. This time he made a mistake. Next time you will. It's part of the territory when you're in love.
Love is not just about talking and being supportive to one another, and standing by each other in good and bad times. It's also accepting someone along with their faults, because the truth of the matter is you both are not, and never will be perfect.
But the most wonderful thing is you continue to go through life's highs and lows together because you've realized that your true love is also your best friend."
Meher thought about Preet. He had been a true friend to her even when she didn't like him. He had helped her...No...saved her on more than one occasion. He could care less about art but always encouraged her, even posed for her a couple of times. And she had encouraged him when he talked about his insecurities pertaining to his father. They had had endless discussions about almost everything, but didn't feel the need to judge each other. They were so much alike and yet completely different. He wasn't perfect, thought Meher, but he was perfectly imperfect just to her liking.
Teji's voice brought Meher back from her thoughts. "Just look at me and your Papaji", continued Teji. "And regardless of how you're feeling right at this moment, someday that true love will come for both of my girls. Tu bhi soon rahi hai na Meher (Are you listening too Meher)?" asked Teji.
Meher nodded and offered her mother a weak smile.
"Well", said Teji, "enough of the motherly bhasan...Let's change the subject...Meher Beta, woh Shampa aur Manmeet ke bete ki photos kidhar rakhi tumne (Where are the pictures you brought of Shampa and Manmeet's son)? "
"They're on the bookshelf Ma", said Meher, "I'll get them for you. Teji patted the seat next to her, as Meher handed her the photographs, indicating for her daughter to sit down.
"I still can't believe you both went abroad. It must have been such an exciting thing for you to be on a plane, go to another country and experience another culture, sights, and sounds. Did see you the Statue of Liberty? Was it really beautiful?" asked Teji innocently.
Meher smiled, "Ma...the Statue of Liberty is in New York, I was on the west coast in California, and yes, it was really beautiful."
"Was everything alright there? Did they treat you well? I mean you did stab Manmeet with a fork and all", said Teji.
"Ma!" cried Meher. "That's all forgotten and over with. Manmeet and Shampa were very hospitable. And they're both very happy together".
"Good", said Teji, "Well, I'm sure you'll never forget your time there."
Meher again recalled how she had met Preet at the hotel just before Sam's bridal shower, the the bachelor party, their lunch date, and all the numerous times they had spent together...up until their fight. She closed her eyes hoping the memories would go away, but they didn't. "I'm afraid you're right Ma", said Meher, smiling weakly, "I don't imagine I will".
"What a cute baby", continued Teji as she examined the photos Meher had handed to her.
"Yes", said Meher, "Cousin Manmeet was pleased that he and Shampa were blessed with the much needed heir to the Mann family".
"And what did they name him?" asked Teji.
"Har...Preet", said Meher almost choking on the words. "Harpreet. Excuse me..."
Teji watched in confusion as she saw her younger daughter run upstairs. "Ab isko kya hua (What's wrong with her)?" she wondered.
Back at the Juneja's Mansion...
All of the Junejas were seated in Bauji's library for a family meeting. Prem and Preet looked at each other nervously. This is where it all had started. Where Bauji had initially presented a proposal for Prem. And now it was their turn to make a case before one of the most shrewd businessmen in Canada.
"Jaldi karo Preet (Hurry up Preet)", said Lalit Juneja sternly. "Jaldi say batao, hum sab ko yahan kyun bulaya hai. (Hurry up and tell us why you've gathered us all here). I cancelled a very important video conference for this, so it had better be good. And remember I hate surprises".
"Actually Bauji", Prem spoke up, "baat main aap sab se karna chahta tha (It is I who want to talk to you all)". He looked at Preet who gave him a reassuring look. "I've decided to get married. I mean, I want to get married. I want to go back to India, and propose to Heer". Prem exhaled a sigh of relief. Come what may, he had finally said what his heart had desired for so long.
"Heer!" cried Lalit getting up. "Isn't she the same girl that you rejected Sanjana Rampal for and then you had second thoughts? I'm disappointed son. I thought we'd been through this already. I can't believe you wasted my valuable time for this! I told you what I thought then...and my stand on this matter is still unchanged".
"Bauji please", pleaded Prem, "try and understand. I did everything you said. I've thrown myself into my work, had no communication with her...but nothing seems to change the fact that I still love...I love her".
"Love?! Yeh Love shove ki hondha hai!" Roared Lalit. (What the hell is all this love shove nonsense?)
"Well dad, love is..." interjected Herman.
"Shut up Herman!" exclaimed Lalit. "No one asked for your opinion! Aur akhir yeh lardki kon hai? Uska baap kya kam karta hai. Uski family ki kya haisiyat hai? Mujhe toh yeh sab fazool ki batein lagti hai! Hmpf! Rampals ke saat achee bhali deal bigard di." (Besides, who is this girl? What does her father do? What is her family's status? All of this seems useless. Hmph! You ruined a perfectly good deal with the Rampals).
"Deal?!" cried Preet. "That's pretty selfish of you Bauji. I mean, how much longer are you going to punish Prem Bhaiya? You present him with an offer of marriage, saying that there is no pressure, and yet you try and break his back when he doesn't accept. Aur waise bhi, Prem Bhaiya ka India chor ke anay mein unka koi dosh nahin tha. (Besides, It wasn't Prem's fault that we left India suddenly). I overheard some fishy stuff about the Maan family, and without bothering to verify the information, I jumped to conclusions and filled PB's head with insecurity. Then I found out I was wrong. Jaldbazi mein sab kardbar ho gayi (In my haste, everything went wrong)".
"How did you find out?" asked Lalit.
"That's irrelevant", said Preet.
"Nothing in business is irrelevant!" Lalit snapped back.
"This isn't business Bauji!" cried Preet. "This is Prem Bhaiya's life we're talking about. He's hurting. And we have to do whatever we can do rectify the situation".
"I should have known you had a role in making a mess of things", said Lalit bitterly.
"Lalit please!" said Gaytri. "I don't want our children to think that they can't tell us openly how they feel. Our son is in love, we should be happy for him".
"But...", tried Lalit.
"No buts...", said Gaytri. "This is not a board meeting of Juneja Group of Companies. Ye sab hamare bache hain. Kal ko Herman bhi kisi say shaadi karna chahe ga, aur phir Preet...Veera. Aap kis kis ke liye deals banate phirain gay. Hamara zamana kuch aur tha. Pati patni ki mulaqat suhag raat pe hi hoti thi. Ye inka zamana hai. (These are our children. Tomorrow Herman may wish to marry someone, then Preet and Veera. How many deals are you going to make for their lives. In our time things were different. A husband and wife's first meeting was on their wedding night. This generation is different).
As far as how much wealth a person has, or their status in life...Aap khud hi dekhiye ke Kulraj kitna khush hai. Humain Kiran se behtar damaad mil sakta tha kya? (You can see for yourself how happy Kulraj is. Can you imagine a better son-in-law than Kiran?) If we were to go by your current standards, he wouldn't be part of our family right now".
"That's different!" argued Lalit.
"How?!" demanded Gaytri. "Is it because Heer is a girl? Or is it because we're twice as rich now? Does her being poor disqualify her from being good enough to be the mother of our heirs. Really Lalit I'm ashamed. I never thought you'd forget your own humble roots. You too were a farmer once and a farmer's son. And that's nothing to be ashamed about. Aur aap bhool gaye kya. Aik time tha jab Kabhi Kabhi aap ki favorite movie hoti thi..aur us waqt to aap bada kehte phirte thay (And are you forgetting that there was a time when Kabhi Kabhi was your favorite movie...and you used to go around chanting)...Love is life ".
Gaytri smiled as she saw her husband's face flush with embarrassment. He could never win an argument against her. "Waise, Prem", she continued, "how do we know that Heer will accept your proposal after all this time".
"I don't know...", sighed Prem
"But we still have to try", interrupted Preet. "warna PB apni baaki zindagi chand ko dekhte hi guzaar dein ge (otherwise Prem will send the rest of his life staring at the moon), and I don't mean you Bauji".
Lalit made a motion as if he was going to go after Preet, but his wife stopped him. "Well then there is only one way to find out", she said "Preet, tum kal Prem ke liye India ki ticket book kara dayna. Prem aik bar Heer ke saat baat tai karle phir hum sab India aajayenge". (Preet I want you to book a ticket to India for Prem first thing tomorrow. Once Prem works things out with Heer, we'll all come to India).
"Aik nahi, 2 tickets book karana. (Not one, book 2 tickets). Don't forget, you promised to throw yourself at Heer's feet if she doesn't agree", joked Prem. Preet smiled back at his brother.
"Make that 3", chirped Veera. "It's not fair that all of you went to India, while I was stuck in prep school. Aur phir main bhi to dekhoon ke hamari hone wali bhabi kaisi hain (I also want to see what my sister-in-law to be looks like)".
Later that night...
Preet sat by his bedroom window watching the rain fall slowly, making pitter patter sounds. He never even realized that his mother had entered his room.
"Kon hai woh (Who is she)?" Asked Gaytri, as she sat down next to him.
"Wha...What are you talking about mom?" asked Preet, startled by her sudden appearance.
Gaytri looked at her youngest son intently. She had noticed a change in him since he
returned from Gaurav's wedding. He was quieter, not as jovial. And though he tried to look busy, she often saw him lose focus and drift away in thought. And right now, he was definitely avoiding meeting her eye to eye. "Woh lardki jo tumhari neenday churah behti hai (The girl you're losing sleep over)", she replied.
"What?!" cried Preet.
"Don't play games with me young man", chuckled Gaytri. "I'd recognize that lost look anywhere...my youngest son has been bitten by the love bug hasn't he?"
"Good God Mom!" said Preet rolling his eyes. "You women all think alike. I'm The Great Preet Juneja, remember, mere pechay 50 lardkiyon ki line lagi hoti hai (There is a line of 50 girls behind me all the time). You don't expect me to go gaga over just one girl do you? Besides, that's Prem Bhaiya's department".
"Preet are you trying to convince yourself or me?" asked Gaytri.
"What do you mean?" asked Preet.
"I mean Mr. The Great Preet Juneja, agar tum mere bete ho, toh phir, mein bhi tumhari hi Ma hoon (I'm your mother and I know my son)" said Gaytri. She paused to think before asking, "Bauhat bada jhagra hua kya?...Toh mana lo (Did you 2 have a very big fight? Why don't you make it up to her?)". Preet rolled his eyes again.
"Preet", continued Gaytri, "Being in love isn't perfect. Sometimes you fight, don't agree or hurt each other's feelings. What the fight was about hardly matters. What matters is being able to communicate and resolve the issue, and not use it against each other in the future. And sometimes Mr The Great Preet Juneja you have to swallow your pride, admit that you are wrong and apologize".
"Great Mom!" cried Preet. "I didn't know I was enrolled in Love-ology 101".
"Preet! I'm only trying to help", said Gaytri. Preet crossed his arms and looked the other way. "Okay, okay", said Gaytri, "I won't push you, but I'm here if you need to talk about anything...or anyone".
Preet took his mom by the shoulders and edged her towards the door. "No Ma, it's not like you think. Look, I have a busy day tomorrow, so Meher..." he said choking on his words. "Ahem...meherbani kar ke mujhe thoda araam karne dijiye. (Please do me a favor and let me get some sleep).
Preet exhaled loudly as he closed the door after his mother. He walked over to his closet to take out his pajamas and then slammed the door shut in frustration. Falling hurt, but falling in love hurt the most.
"I will get over this..." he said.
Hope you all liked it. 😛 Don't forget to leave your comments or atleast hit the like button.
Chapter 27 Preview: Meher sees Preet with another girl!
Edited by ummesulaiman - 10 years ago
Pati Patni Aur Panga
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
