Chapter 33 - You, Me and Kabab Mein Haddi
Two days had passed since Prem and Heer's engagement. The wedding day was fast approaching and the entire Juneja family was in a good mood. Preet came down stairs whistling, just as the rest of the family was beginning to come together at the breakfast table.
"So Dulhay Raja (bride groom)", Preet teased Prem as he took his seat at the table. "Only a few more days before D-day. The clock's ticking PB...every second of freedom counts. Just remember, if you decide to change your mind...Main hoon na (I'm here for you)...I'll help you make a break for it".
"Ha Ha...very funny", said Prem, as he snatched the toast Preet had just buttered. "But look who's talking?"
"What do you mean?" asked Preet.
"Just the latest from the grape vine", replied Prem. "You and Meher! Who would have thought? I mean...didn't you say she wasn't your type?"
"Yeah", piped in Kulraj as she took her seat. "And I definitely thought she couldn't stand you, though I can't exactly blame her".
Preet looked at Veera shooting daggers with his eyes. "What did you do, advertise it to the entire world?"
"No", said Veera, "just the family minus Bauji of course. I mean I'm bad but I'm not evil...Oh and my friends from Prep School...most of them were in love with you, so the sooner they know you're taken the better".
Preet rolled his eyes.
"Okay everyone!" said Gaytri. "We have a full day ahead, so get done with breakfast fast. Prem, did you remind Heer to have her passport ready?"
"Han (yes) Ma", said Prem, "I spoke to her last night. I'll go over to her right after breakfast".
"Really? You're going over to the Maans' place?" said Preet. "Uh...Mom...isn't there supposed to be like some condition that the bride and groom aren't supposed to see each other before the wedding. Isn't it supposed to be bad luck or something? Waise (By the way)...I don't mind going over to pick up Heer Bhabi's passport".
"Huhn?" said Prem looking up in surprise.
"No Preet", said Gaytri. "Your father has given us so little time. I'm afraid we can't do everything by the book in this wedding. And Prem has to take Heer with him to Delhi so he can take care of her visa and travel arrangements for Canada. I'm going with them for some last minute shopping."
"Oh", said Preet. "Well, with Heer Bhabi gone the whole day I'm sure Balraj Sir and Teji Chachee will be short-handed. Maybe I should go over and help".
"Actually, I spoke with Teji early this morning", smiled Gaytri. "They've got everything under control."
"Ah", said Preet.
"You're just looking for an excuse to see Meher aren't you?" teased Veera.
"Veera, that's enough", scolded Gaytri. "I wonder where your father is?"
"He's on the phone", said Herman, joining the family at the table. "He'll be down in a short while". Herman patted Preet on the back as he sat down. "Hey Preet...you and Meher...nice. I mean, she's a real nice girl".
Preet looked at Veera again with his eyes narrowed. She stuck her tongue out at him in return.
"Why are you being so secretive about this Preet?" asked Prem. "Meher is a wonderful girl...I'm sure Bauji..."
"No PB", interrupted Preet. "We both promised each other we wouldn't say anything to anyone about us until after your wedding. Bauji already gave us a hard time about Heer Bhabi. I don't want to lay any surprises on him just yet. He'll start in on me about the independent business project he wants me to prove myself in...yada yada yada. I don't want to get into an argument with him and spoil my mood right now. There's also the matter with Ash and Daljeet Singh..."
"What about Ash and Mrs Singh?" asked Prem.
"Nothing", smiled Preet. "Nothing for you to worry about. This is your and Heer Bhabi's time. I want everything to go perfectly. I'll talk to Bauji about Meher myself, after your wedding".
Just then Lalit Juneja joined the rest of his family at the table.
"Speak of the devil", whispered Preet.
"Preet", said Lalit. "I just got a call from Nihal. He said he's sending some housekeeping staff up to Kasauli tomorrow. I want you to go up there after they've readied the log house, and make sure it's decorated the way your mother wants it".
"Ma", said Veera, "Don't you think that's something that requires a woman's touch, after all the log house is being decorated for Heer Bhabi too? I don't mind going", she volunteered.
"Preet and Veera...together...No way!" protested Prem. "They'll have the log house booby trapped from floor to ceiling!"
"Preet, why don't you ask Meher to help instead?" offered Kulraj, much to Preet's delight. "That way we'd get input from someone on Heer's side too. I mean I'd help, but with my 3 little ones..."
"That's a great idea", said Preet quickly. "Meher and Heer Bhabi are really close. Meher will know just what her sister will like".
"Fine", said Lalit. "Take Heer's sister".
"But Mom", cried Veera. "I want to go too".
"Veera, it'll be the day before the Mehndi party. We still have lot's of stuff to do", said Gaytri.
"Yes", said Veera, "But we can leave for Kasauli in the morning, and we only need a couple of hours. And Preet Bhaiya will make sure both Meher and I are back in plenty of time to prepare for the party. Besides Ma think of what you are doing...sending an unmarried boy and girl off to a secluded log house...alone. Waise toh Preet Bhaiya kaafi shareef hain. Lekin agar kahin phisal gaye toh? Bauji ki toh naak kat jai gi. (Ordinarily I'd say Preet Bhaiya is of a good character, but what if he slips? Father's nose will be cut). And this is India. Think of what people will say".
"Hmm...you have a point", said Gaytri, "Preet take Veera with you too".
"Why you little chipkali (lizard)!" cried Preet
"Mom! Preet Bhaiya just called me a chipkali!" protested Veera. "
Later that day...
Meher was in the kitchen clearing the lunch dishes. Teji and Heer had gone with Prem and Gaytri to Delhi earlier that morning, and her father had just gone out to the fields. The phone rang. Uff Ho! She thought, quickly drying her hands, who can that be?
"Hello?" said Meher, answering the phone.
"Hey Meher", said Preet, "It's me".
"Preet! How are you?" smiled Meher.
"I haven't seen you for 2 days", complained Preet. "How do you expect me to be? Why didn't you come to the market place yesterday?"
"It's been really hectic here", explained Meher. "Plus I couldn't think of a good enough excuse to get away. I guess we'll just have to wait until the Mehndi".
"No we won't", said Preet. "Guess what? You and I are going up to Kasauli tomorrow morning".
"Kasauli?" asked Meher.
"Yes", replied Preet. "We have a log house up there. Bauji had it all readied up for Prem Bhaiya and Heer Bhabi's wedding night. We're going to go and decorate it for them".
"How romantic!" cried Meher.
"I know", agreed Preet. "We'll get to spend some time together".
"I was talking about the suhag raat at the log house, Preet", teased Meher. "Waise...how did your mom agree to let us go together?"
"Oh that...actually...she's sending Veera with us", said Preet disappointedly.
Meher began to laugh.
"It's not funny", cried Preet. "That little Miss Know It All has told everyone in my family except Bauji about us! You can't believe all the teasing I've had to put up with".
"Oh! I hope that went down well with everyone...Anyway, what's done is done. Everyone was bound to find out sooner or later", sighed Meher. "Look Preet...I still have a ton of work waiting for me in the kitchen, so I shouldn't even stay on the phone with you for too long. I'll see you tomorrow...under Veera's supervision".
"Nothing doing", said Preet. "Your mom is not at home, and your father just went out to the fields...You can take a break from doing the dishes and give a little attention to me".
"Wait a minute Preet", said Meher. "How do you know I was washing dishes? And how do you know my Papaji just left?"
"I'm upstairs in your room", chuckled Preet.
"What?! You're joking right? Preet?!" cried Meher as the phone disconnected.
Meher ran straight up to her room and sure enough there was Preet sitting on her window sill.
"Preet!" cried Meher. "How on earth did you get in here?"
"I climbed up the pipe" said Preet proudly.
Meher shook her head in disbelief. "That pipe is not the most stable thing in the world. You're lucky you didn't fall and break your bones. But you know...No one was home", she laughed. "You could have just come in from the front door".
"Oh", said Preet scratching his head. "Um...Uh...But then where would be the romance in that?" he quickly countered. He slid his arms around Meher's waist, enclosed her in a hug from behind, and nuzzled her in the crook of her neck.
"Preet", said Meher, giggling as she felt Preet's warm breath tickling her. "What do you think you're doing?"
"I'm baking cookies Meher", sighed Preet. "What does it look like I'm doing?"
"Very funny", cried Meher, springing loose from Preet's grip. Preet tried to come close to her again but Meher stopped him. "Preet koi dekh le ga (someone will see us)".
"Meher, we're alone in your room", said Preet. "Humay kon dekh sakta hai (Who will see us)?"
"Preet, I'm serious", said Meher. "What if someone comes and catches you in my room? This is a girl's room! Aur yeh Ambala hai! Yahan log pehle goli marte hai baad mein dekhte hain ke laash kiski hai!" (And this is Ambala! People here will shoot first and ask questions later!)
"That's interesting", laughed Preet, "Balraj Sir doesn't seem like the violent type. And luckily for me you don't have any brothers". He again took a hold of Meher. Meher couldn't help but smile and was reciprocating his hug, when she heard a *sniff* sniff* sound.
"Preet? What are you doing?" she asked.
"Wow! You smell really good", replied Preet.
"Really?" smirked Meher.
"Yeah", said Preet. "I mean you usually smell like lilacs, but today it's *sniff* sniff*, definitely gobi (cauliflower)! My favorite!"
"Preet!" cried Meher as she rolled her eyes. So much for romance, she thought.
"Kya (What) Meher? Veera's been teasing me non-stop all morning", complained Preet. "And I left home before lunch, walking and hitching rides on people's tractors, just so I could see you without anyone finding out that one of the cars is missing...thodi khatar dari to banti hai na (you should show me a little hospitality)".
Meher smiled at Preet and indicated to him to follow her to the kitchen. They had just reached the top of the stairs, when they heard a familiar voice call out Meher's name.
"Meher Di", the voice called out. "Are you upstairs?"
"Veera!" cried Preet and Meher. They both ran back to Meher's room in a panic.
"What is she doing here?" wondered Meher.
"I don't know", said Preet, as he began to pat himself down. "But I swear I'm beginning to think she's planted a tracking device on me".
"Preet be serious!" cried Meher, as she smacked him on the arm. "Oh God! What do we do now? If she catches you in here, she's bound to tell your mom or Kuldi or someone. And it's not the first time we've been caught! What will everyone think?! I'm sure your mom will tell my mom this time. Aur phir main to gayi (And then I'm dead)!"
"Look Meher don't panic. I'll just leave", said Preet heading towards the window.
"Preet No!" exclaimed Meher. "Not the pipe again. You'll get hurt!"
"Right!" said Preet. "It'll be no fun showing up at PB's wedding in a wheelchair. I know...hide me!"
"Where?" asked Meher, running around in a panic.
"The closet?!" said Preet.
"No!" cried Meher. "Veera will definitely want to see clothes!"
Just then there was a knock on the door. Meher gasped as she heard the knob turn. Preet couldn't think of anything else so he dove under the bed.
"Meher Di?" said Veera.
"Veera!" cried Meher turning around to face her visitor. "What a wonderful surprise! What are you doing here?"
"Everyone was gone from the house and I was bored, so I thought I'd come and see you. I saw Balraj Chacha going towards the fields. He said you'd either be in the kitchen or in your room. You weren't downstairs, so I came up. Nice room by the way", said Veera looking around. "Hey! Do you know we're going up to Kasauli tomorrow to decorate the log house for Prem Bhaiya and Heer Bhabi?"
"Yeah...so I heard", said Meher.
"Really?" asked Veera. "From whom?
"Oh...Pree...Uh...I mean Prem...Prem Jiju", stuttered Meher nervously. "He mentioned it when he was here to pick up Heer Didi this morning".
"Yes well, it's really beautiful up there. We'll have lots of fun, just be sure to pack a sweater", continued Veera. "Anyway...for now why don't you show me your outfits for the Mehndi and Wedding ceremonies?"
Meher nodded and walked over to her closet. She pulled out some clothes and watched helplessly as Veera sat down on the bed inches from where Preet was hiding.
"Veera", said Meher. "Have you had lunch? I bet you're hungry. Why don't we go down and get something for you to eat?"
"Sounds good!" smiled Veera. "But if you don't mind, could you bring it up here? In the meantime I'll check out the accessories you have in your closet".
Meher looked towards the bed helplessly and nodded. She darted out of her room, and with lightening speed was back with a plate of food for Veera.
"Wow!" cried Veera as Meher handed her the plate. "Muttar Paneer and Gobi! Mmm! This is so good. You know Gobi is Preet Bhaiya's favorite sabzhi (vegetable). Too bad he's not here", said Veera taking a bite.
The smell and talk of food was making Preet's mouth water and stomach grumble. That should have been my lunch, he mumbled to himself. Not to be out done, he watched Veera and Meher walk back to the closet and took the opportunity to reach out and grab a morsel for himself. Meher gasped as she turned around and saw Preet's arm disappear under the bed.
"Kya hua (What happened) Meher Di?" asked Veera as she turned and went back to sit on the bed.
"Nothing!" lied Meher quickly joining Veera on the bed.
"Hmm...Do you have chudiyan (bangles) to match this outfit?" asked Veera.
"Over there in the box on the dressing table", pointed Meher.
As soon as Preet saw Veera walk away, he went fishing for some more food. Meher gasped as she felt Preet's hand ride up her leg in search of another morsel. She shook Preet's hand off her leg and stomped it with her foot.
"OW!" cried Preet.
"Ah!" screamed Meher.
"What happened?" asked Veera.
"Nothing!" cried Meher. "Just a cockroach". She stamped her foot again a couple of times for emphasis. "Why don't you finish your food?"
Funny how that cockroach's leg looked an awful like Preet Bhaiya's arm, thought Veera, smiling mischievously. She had seen everything reflected in the dresser's mirror.
Veera walked back to the bed and surprised Meher by jumping onto it.
"Ouch!" cried Preet as Veera's action made the mattress boards whack his head.
**Cough**Cough**", said Meher quickly in order to cover the sound of Preet's voice.
"I must say Meher Di", said Veera slyly, "you're an excellent cook. Nothing at all like Preet Bhaiya described".
"What are you talking about?" asked Meher.
"Well, he told mom you couldn't cook something as simple as pakoras. In fact he said you almost poisoned him with yours", explained Veera.
"Really?" said Meher in surprise.
"Yeah, and he said ke aap ko pyar se baat karni nahi aati...gussa har waqt aap ke naak pe rehta hai (you have no sense of manners and that you get angry at the drop of hat) , but I have to say he's got you all wrong", said Veera.
"Well thanks", said Meher sarcastically.
"Oh no!" mouthed Preet.
"And when he said you couldn't walk without falling on people, I was about to disagree, but then I witnessed that myself", said Veera smiling weakly.
"Did he say that?" asked Meher.
"Yeah, but the worst was when he said you were a little...moti (fat)", said Veera.
"Preet called me moti?!" cried Meher.
"Just a little", offered Veera apologetically.
Preet slapped his forehead in frustration. He knew he was in big trouble.
"Hey you know...This is a real comfortable bed", said Veera, jumping again a couple of times.
Preet quickly covered his mouth to keep from yelling from all the whacking he was getting.
"Whoa look at the time", said Veera, checking her watch. "I better get going, I promised Kulraj Di, I'd give her a break and watch the kids. Oh and Meher Di...you can let Preet Bhaiya know I'll be waiting for him in the car...otherwise he'll have to walk all the way back to the Havaili."
Meher bit her lip and blushed as Veera left her room. They had been caught yet again, she thought. First by his mom and now his little sister. How embarrassing! Preet and his stupid antics! Meher made a serious face as turned towards her bed. She had a score to settle.
"Preet Juneja!" cried Meher, as a very worried looking Preet climbed out from under the bed.
"Now Meher...take it easy!" said Preet raising his hands defensively.
"I don't know how to cook?" cried Meher as she picked up a pillow and threw it at Preet.
"I can explain everything" said Preet, as he dodged the pillow.
"I can't walk without falling on people?!" cried Meher as she threw a cushion at Preet.
"I don't mind if you fall on me", said Preet, ducking once again.
"Gussa har waqt meri naak pe rehta hai (I get angry at the drop of a hat)?!" cried Meher throwing a small book at Preet.
"Careful now", said Preet dodging the book. "You don't want to prove me right do you?"
Suddenly Meher stopped and started to wail loudly. Preet carefully approached Meher and turned her to face him.
"What's wrong Meher?" he asked worriedly.
"You called me moti!" sobbed Meher.
"Mazak kar raha tha main (I was joking)! Can't you take a joke?" chuckled Preet.
"A joke?! Everything is a joke to you isn't it, Preet Juneja?" cried Meher as she pounded Preet's chest with her fists.
"Meher...", began Preet.
"You don't really think I'm fat...do you Preet?" asked Meher.
"Meher", smiled Preet, as he wiped her tears. "I only said all of that to discourage Ma, because she was trying to pair you up with Herman Bhaiya".
"Oh...", sniffled Meher. "Wait a minute! You didn't answer my question!" she protested as she beat her fists lightly into Preet's chest.
"Meher", said Preet grabbing her hands and pulling her close to him so that their heads could touch. "Tum jaisi bhi ho...Bauhut achi ho. Aur mere liye bilkul perfect ho (I like you just the way you are. You're perfect for me)...And I mean it". He leaned over and kissed her gently, as if to reinforce his words.
"I love you Preet", said Meher.
"And I love you more", said Preet.
Meher smiled and fell back into Preet's strong and reassuring arms, snuggling against his chest. This is where she wanted to be, she thought. This is where she belonged.
Hope you all liked it 😛. Please remember to leave your comments or at least hit the like button. Thanks again for your continued support.
Chapter 34 Preview: Preet and Meher in Kasauli
Edited by ummesulaiman - 10 years ago
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