Chapter 30 - Prem Returns
Prem stood nervously at the edge of the field in front of the Maan's home. Preet stood next to him with his arms folded, tapping his foot impatiently.
"Come on Prem Bhaiya!" cried Preet in frustration. "We've been standing here in the heat, fighting off flies for the last 15 minutes. Don't you think we should go in?"
"I can't do this", cried Prem, exhaling nervously. "She'll never agree. Let's just go back". He turned to go.
"Oh no you don't!" cried Preet, blocking his way. "Have you forgotten all the hard time we had convincing Bauji to let us come here in the first place? He's already had us working non-stop since we got here! And what about Ma...she went out of her way to stand up for you. And most importantly...what about Heer? She's waited for you all his time. At least go in and see what her reaction is? Even Veera's not with us today to tease you. You may not get such a good opportunity again".
Prem shook his head in agreement, took a deep breath, and began to walk towards the house with Preet in tow. Heer was outside putting freshly laundered clothes out to dry on the line. She saw them first. For a minute she thought she was imagining things, but no, it was definitely Prem walking towards her. As Prem neared the house he also saw Heer and stopped as both locked eyes with each other. All of a sudden Heer dropped the clothes she was holding and quickly ran back towards the house.
"Heer wait!" cried Prem.
"Don't worry PB", said Preet, putting a reassuring hand on his brother's shoulder. "Agar woh waqai aap se pyar karti hai to woh palat ke dekhe gi (If she really loves you'll she'll turn and look)". "Palat (turn)", he said as if willing Heer to turn around, "...Palat (turn)".
Much to Preet's embarrassment, however, Heer never looked back and ran straight into the house. Prem glared at Preet.
"Heh heh" smiled Preet. "It always works in the movies. Um...Don't worry PB, we can always go back to my original plan...groveling".
Inside the Maan home, Teji and Kuljeet looked up in surprise and Meher came running from the kitchen to see why their door had slammed.
"He's...He's...He's here!" panted Heer.
"Di, are you okay?" asked Meher. "Who's here?"
"Prem!" cried Heer. "He's here! I mean I saw him walking towards the house!"
Meher ran to the window, sure enough, it was Prem. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw that Preet was with him.
"Oh my Rabs!" cried Kuljeet Chachee as she joined Meher at the window. "It is Prem! I knew he'd come back for you one day my dear! But who's that with him? Isn't it his brother? The youngest one? The one who you said had wronged Viren?"
"Chachee please!" cried Meher looking mortified. "Can't we just forget about that?!"
"Oh whatever!" cried Kuljeet. "Heer! Why are you just standing there? Go change your clothes and quickly freshen up! We'll keep Prem occupied with tea and chit chat in the mean time".
"No Kuljeet", said Teji. "We're not going through this again".
"But...", protested Kuljeet.
"Heer is fine, just as she is", said Teji firmly. "And there is no need to jump to conclusions. Let's just be civil and hear what Prem has to say."
A short while later, a very nervous looking Prem and an equally uncomfortable looking Preet were seated in front of the hard glare of the Maan ladies. Prem studied Heer carefully, but her stoic expression was not giving him any hint of how she was feeling right now. Meher too was looking at Preet for a sign or any expression, but there was nothing. In fact, he seemed determined not to look in her direction.
Much to everyone's dread it was Kuljeet Chachee who broke the silence. "Prem beta, it's so nice to see you after all this time. I think at least a year has gone by".
"10 months actually", said Prem stealing another glance at Heer.
"You left without even saying good-bye", said Heer quietly. Prem could sense the bitterness in her tone.
"Di please...let it go", whispered Meher, nudging her sister with her elbow. Prem could only be here for one thing, thought Meher. I hope Heer Didi doesn't blow him off.
"Well", said Kuljeet. "So much has happened since you were here last. Aros paros mein kitni shaadian ho chuki hain (So many wedding have taken place). Our neighbors the Shettys...their daughter got married to a nice NRI boy. Our nephew Manmeet married Meher's best friend, although we had hoped things would have worked out in a different direction".
Meher rolled her eyes.
"Anyway they're in California and have a baby already", continued Kuljeet. "My own daughter too, just got married in Delhi about a week ago. She's moving to Hong Kong. Oh my Rabs! Don't think we didn't invite you on purpose. Everything happened so suddenly. Her father and I couldn't plan anything proper. You know this younger generation...went and did everything on their own. In the end, her father and I just put a small announcement in the paper Vishaka Maan weds Viren Juneja."
Prem looked up in surprise.
"Chachee!" shrieked Meher. "Could I see you in the kitchen please?! I need help making the tea and snacks".
"There's no need to trouble yourself, Meher", said Prem getting up abruptly. "We were just in the neighborhood and came by to see how you all were. It's getting late. We really should go." With that he walked out the door.
"Excuse me", winced Preet. "We'll be right back".
Preet found his brother pacing outside taking deep breaths. "A little early for Lamaze isn't it?" he joked. "Come on PB what is wrong with you? Did you forget what we're here for? Why didn't you ask Heer to marry you? I know you're nervous, but it'll be just like we practiced...Heer will you marry me? Oh Yes Prem...I will!"
"Shut up Preet!" cried Prem. "Not everything is a joke! Didn't you hear her Chachee? Their cousin just got married to Viren! How the hell did that happen?! Thank God Veera wasn't here. What if he shows up when our family is here? What if her Chachee opens her mouth? What will Bauji say when he finds out? He'll never let me go through with the wedding!"
Preet walked up to his brother and put his hands on his shoulders. "PB...Do you really love Heer?" he asked.
"More than anything", sighed Prem.
"Then none of this should make any difference to you. I promise Viren won't come back here", said Preet confidently. "I mean...you heard their Chachee...he's moving to Hong Kong. We don't have to tell Bauji anything. The wedding will be over and before you know it we'll be back in Canada...and don't worry...we'll get some tape for their Chachee's mouth". Preet turned his brother to face the house once again and said, "but right now there is a young lady inside, waiting to be asked the most important question of her life."
Meher and Heer were watching the two brothers from the window.
"What on earth is going on with these two?" Heer wondered out loud.
"Come on Di", said Meher, "You know very well why Prem is here. He obviously still loves you very much. I'm sure he wants to pop the big question, but is very nervous and Preet's just reassuring him."
"Well...", said Heer. "maybe it's good he gets to squirm a little. Serves him right for letting me suffer all these months".
"Heer Didi, do you still love Prem?" asked Meher.
"What kind of a question is that?" asked Heer.
"A very valid one", replied Meher, "Because if you still love him, you could see that he's in pain and very much afraid that you'll reject him. We're all human. We make mistakes. He made one too. And I'm sure Prem suffered as much as you did because of it. Whatever the reason was for him leaving or not coming back sooner doesn't lessen the fact that he's here right now. Just look at him, he looks miserable, poor soul".
"But...", said Heer.
"Not everyone gets a second chance Di", sighed Meher. "Apne beetay huay kal ko apne anay wale kal ke raaste mein mat anay dijiye". (Don't let what happened in the past over shadow what could be a very bright future)
Heer pondered over Meher's word. "Oh look!" she cried suddenly. "They're coming back!"
Moments later Prem and Preet were back again seated silently inside the Maan home.
Come on Prem Ji, thought Meher, wishing Prem would say something. I've already softened up my Didi for you. Stike when the iron's hot!
Preet too looked over and frowned at his brother. How much longer is Prem Bhaiya going to sit there and twiddle his thumbs, he thought. Mujhe hi kuch karna pare ga. (Looks like I'll have to do something). He got up suddenly and placed his hand on Prem's forehead, then began pacing the room shaking his head in disappointment.
Everyone looked at Preet in surprise. Oh No! thought Prem. What is he up to now?
"Beta...Sab theek toh hai na?" asked Teji (Son...is everything alright?)
"Aray Auntie ji kuch theek nahin hai!" (Oh no auntie, nothing is alright!) began Preet. "Mera bhai bauhat bemaar hai! (My brother is a very ill man!)"
"Kya?!" cried Heer. "Kya hua Prem ko?" she asked anxiously. (What?! What's wrong with Prem?)
"Aray sara ka sara kasur aap ka hai aur aap pooch rahi hain ke kya hua hai!" cried Preet. (It's all your fault and you're asking me what's wrong!)
"What?!" said Heer.
"Bahut gaihri chot lagi hai Prem Bhaiya ko...yahan (He's been wounded deeply...right here)", said Preet pointing to his heart.
Meher could not help but giggle at Preet's antics, but stopped when she saw Heer glaring at her.
"Preet...", said Prem.
"Nahin Bhaiya...aaj aap mujhe mat rokiye", said Preet putting up his hand in high drama. "Mujhse aap ki yeh Devdas wali halat ab dekhi nahin jaati". (No Bro...you musn't stop me today. I can't continue to bare this Devdas type condition of yours).
Heer gasped. Have I driven Prem to drink? She wondered.
"Mera bechara bhai...", said Preet. "Sar se paoon tak ghaiyal ho chuka hai. Heer ki mohabbat ke kahil ho chuka hai." (My poor brother. Wounded from head to toe, he is drowning in the pool of Heer's love).
Prem slapped his forhead in frustration, but there was no stopping Preet.
"Stock market ki tarah inki heartbeat kabhi uppar chali jaati hai...", continued Preet. "Blood pressure neechay chala jaata hai. Pichlay 10 mahinoon se ye chand se batey kar rahey hain. Bilqul bawala ho chukay hain bawala!" (Like the stock market, sometimes his heartbeat goes up, then his blood pressure comes down. For the last 10 months he's been having conversations with the moon. He's gone completely nuts I tell you!)
"Preet!" cried Prem in embarrassment. "Tu...tu kya bola ja raha hai (What are you saying)!"
"Waise Heer Ji, aap bhi Prem Bhaiya se kuch kam nahin (By the way Heer, you're no less than Prem)", continued Preet ignoring Prem. "Gule gulzar, mausam mein bahar, chehre pe gussa per dil mein hai pyar. Aray kyun doono ko is tarah tarpa rahi hain? Is sare maslay ka sirf aik hi hal hai...Kya aap meri bhabi banain gi?" (Flowers are blossoming, spring is in the air, there is anger on your face, but in your heart, love is there. Why are you torturing each other. There is only one solution to everyone's problems. Will you agree to become my sister-in-law?)
"Huhn?" asked Heer.
Prem grabbed Preet and pulled him to one side and said, "Aray apni mohabbat ka izhar mujhe karne deyga ya sab kuch khud hi karta jayega? (Do you mind if I profess my own love?)"
"Lo...aap ki hi toh fielding kar raha hoon PB", cried Preet. (Sure...I was just warming up the field for you).
"Nahi chahiye teri fielding (I don't need you warming up anyone)!" hissed Prem. He turned around to look at the confused Maan family. "Ahem...I'm sorry everyone. But I'd like to speak with Heer alone... please".
Heer gasped as she saw everyone getting up to leave.
"Best of luck!" Preet whispered to Prem before walking out the door. Soon no one was left but Prem and Heer.
"Woh...Preet bhi na...kabhi nahin sudray ga", stammered Prem. (Um...Preet...he'll never change).
Heer couldn't help herself from smiling. Taking that as a sign of encouragement, Prem took a step towards her, but Heer put her hand up to stop him.
"You amaze me Prem", said Heer. "I have no communication from you for 10 months, and then one day you suddenly show up on my door and expect me to forget all the waiting, the tears, the hurt...everything. How could you possibly have thought that I was after your money? How could you just pick up and leave without even giving me a chance? Without even saying good-bye? And then all this...this nautanki (act) is supposed to make me laugh and get over it?"
"You're right", sighed Prem. "I don't want to lay a bunch of excuses or explanations before you for what I did...because nothing I did makes sense. I was wrong, plain and simple. Wrong to have ever thought...khair chodo (just forget it). Heer...Let me just say that...main aik ghada hoon, bewakoof hoon, ullu hoon. (I've been a stupid jack ass). I've behaved like an utter fool. I feel so ashamed of the pain I've caused you that I don't even know in what words I should ask for forgiveness. But I hope you will believe me, when I say that not a single moment of these past 10 months, 2 weeks, 3 days, 14 hours and 37 minutes has gone by when I didn't think of you. And seeing you again today made me realize all the more that I never want to be separated from you again".
Prem took Heer's hand and got down one knee. "Heer Maan, I love you more than life itself. And even though I'm not deserving, will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Heer couldn't believe her ears. She had always waited for this day, and now that it was here it all seemed like a dream. All her anger, all the answers she thought she would demand...everything went flying out the window. With tears of joy streaming from her eyes, she almost whispered in reply, "Yes...Oh yes!"
Meanwhile...
Preet had almost walked back to the car when Meher caught up with him. "Preet wait!" she cried. "Hi".
"Oh...Hi Meher", said Preet
"Mind if I walk along?" asked Meher.
Preet just shrugged his shoulders in response. They walked together in silence for about 5 minutes when Preet finally spoke up.
"How do you think it's going inside?" asked Preet.
"I don't know", said Meher, "I left shortly after you did. But I'm sure Kuljeet Chachee has her ear on the door...Um...Preet...I wanted to thank you".
"For what?" asked Preet.
"I'm sure you had a hand in your brother's return", said Meher. "I mean, I have to be honest...that day in the office, when we learned about Viren and Vishaka...I didn't think I'd ever see you again".
"I love my brother Meher", said Preet simply. "I just wanted to see him happy".
"Only your brother...", whispered Meher.
"What?" asked Preet.
"Uh...Nothing'", lied Meher. "I was just saying that not only your brother, you made my sister very happy too.
And what about you? wondered Preet. He longed to ask her, but he dared not. He wasn't just afraid of being rejected again, rather, he didn't feel he had the right to compel Meher to change her feelings towards him.
"Preet...there is something else I wanted to talk to you about", said Meher. But before she could continue, she saw Prem running towards them.
"Preet!" cried Prem as he ran up in all smiles and hugged his brother. "Ha Ha! She said yes!"
"All right PB way to go!" grinned Preet.
"Oh my God! That's wonderful news!" cried Meher.
"Meher", said Prem, "I still have to find your Bauji and get his approval. Do you know where he'll be?"
"He should be working in the fields just a little further down from here", replied Meher. "But why don't you just wait a little while in the house? He should be back soon".
"No time!" cried Prem excitedly. "Come on Preet, let's go talk to him. Then we have to tell Veera. Call ma. Make flight arrangements. Oh God I feel like I'm in a dream".
Preet pinched Prem's arm. "Ow!" cried Prem. "What was that for?!"
"To let you know that you're not dreaming", said Preet. "Now come on let's go talk to Balraj Sir, before Heer Bhabi changes her mind".
Meher smiled as she watched the brothers leave. She'd have to talk with Preet another time, she thought...today was her sister's day.
Later that evening, Heer and Meher were going over the eventful day...
"You know Meher", cried Heer, "he never stopped loving me. All this time he was hurting just as much as I was. Oh! He behaved like such a fool in doubting my love for him. But then so did I, in thinking that he had forgotten me".
"Yes", said Meher, as she thought of all the times she had misunderstood Preet. "We are all fools in love".
"His father was so upset with him for not marrying some other rich girl", continued Heer, "that he forbade him to have any contact with me. He didn't even know I was in Toronto. I don't know how he managed to convince his father, but he did. He did say that he couldn't have done it without Preet's help. That nautanki baaz (prankster). I think I'll enjoy having him as a devar (younger Brother-in-law)".
Meher smiled quietly.
"Oh Meher!" cried Heer as she grasped her sister's hands. "I so wish you too could be as happy as I am. I know what...maybe after I'm married...Prem will have a nice friend...and you can..."
"Well Heer Didi", said Meher, interrupting her sister's match making plans, "we can't all expect to have your good luck. But perhaps someday, if I'm really really lucky... I'll run into another Cousin Manmeet."
Both sisters burst out laughing.
Meher smiled as she watched her sister continue her excited chatter, while her own thoughts drifted towards Preet again. He had done a lot for her family, she thought. More than anything she could disclose to anyone. More than anything she could ever repay him for. Now If only she too could get a second chance like Heer.
Hope you all liked it 😛. Please do remember to leave your comments, or at least hit the like button.
Credit: Preet's nautanki dialogues were adapted from the movie Ishq.
Chapter 31 Preview: Next week a Maha Episode of Aadha Ishq 😆.
Meet will be together at last. 😃
Edited by ummesulaiman - 10 years ago
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
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