Meet FF: Aadha Ishq - Page 38

Originally posted by: ctnabilah

finally u updated it after 2 weeks dear..thank u soo much..

i love it but i found MEET part was too little..

do update it soon dear..will be waiting for it eagerly

Originally posted by: ummesulaiman

Yes...Sorry for the late update...Actually January was a very hectic month for me. In fact, I was out of town for half the month. And right now it's tax season here in the US...so until I finish filing all of our taxes it'll be crazy.

Plus I'm also planning to move to a new house in 2 months time. So like I said it's pretty hectic. Still, I'll try to get back to a regular posting schedule...depending on how much writing my schedule will permit.

Chapter 35 - Romance Preet Juneja Style

"Hello?" said Meher anxiously.

"Hey Meher! How are you?" said Prem. "Is Heer around?"

"Oh. Hi Prem Jiju, I'm fine", said Meher. "Yes, I'll call Didi. Heer Didi...Jiju ka phone hai (It's Jiju's phone)! Um...Prem Jiju, have you seen Preet? I needed to speak to him".

"Sorry Meher", said Prem. "He left for Ludhiana after coming back from Kasauli yesterday. He hasn't returned yet, but I'll let him know you're looking for him as soon as he comes back".

"Thanks Jiju", said Meher dejectedly. She handed the phone to Heer and went back to tidying the house. Preet had gone to Ludhiana. Maybe it was work related. But why wasn't he answering his phone? Wondered Meher. We'll be surrounded by family and friends at the mendhi party, so we'll hardly be able be to spend any time with each other. He could have at least attended his phone. We already have so little time left as it is.

She spent the rest of the morning in the same dejected and listless manner. Getting the house ready for tonight's party was the least interesting thing for her right now. Even the wonderful lunch her mother had fixed seemed unappealing to her.

"Meher! Stop fingering your food and hurry up and finish it", scolded Teji. "We still have so much work to do!"

"What's wrong Meher?" asked Heer with concern.

"Nothing Di", lied Meher. I guess I'm just not hungry".

"Meher Maan not hungry?!" cried Heer in shock.

"Stop teasing Di!" cried Meher.

"Han han! Abhi stop keh rahi ho (Sure you're telling me to stop now). But after a few days I'll be gone and then...", said Heer.

"Don't remind me Heer Didi", cried Meher as she hugged her sister. "I'm really going to miss you. I mean who am I going to talk to and discuss all my problems with now? Aur ab to Jiju ke ilava aap ke paas kisi ke liye time bhi nahin ho ga (And now you won't have time for anyone other than your husband)."

"Budhoo (Silly)...I'll always be your Di. And I'll always be there if you ever need me", said Heer as she tweeked Meher's cheeks. "Besides", she whispered, "We'll only be apart for a short time. Before you know it, Preet will sweep you away, and bring you back to Canada with him. Then we'll all be together again".

"Yeh tum dono kya khusar phusar kar rahi ho (What are you to chatting about)?" asked Teji.

"Nothing Ma!" both girls giggled.

After lunch, the Maan ladies returned to cleaning and decorating their home for the guests they were expecting later that evening. After finishing up inside, they went outside to set up the charpayees (straw cots) when Teji remembered something.

"Meher Beta, ek kaam karo (Meher do me a favor)", said Teji. "Go to the loft in the barn, where I keep the storage trunks, and get out the fancy cushion covers. You know the ones with the embroidery and glass work on them. They'll be perfect for a special occasion like tonight".

"Gotcha!" cried Preet.

"Preet!" cried Meher. "Are you crazy?! You almost gave me a heart attack sneaking up on me like that! And why did you pick me up? What if we had fallen?"

"Then I would have cushioned your fall as always", chuckled Preet.

"That's not funny!" cried Meher, as she smacked him on his arm.

"Sorry Meher", said Preet. "It's just that I was missing you. I thought I'd surprise you, but if you don't care, I'll just leave". He took a step towards the ladder, when Meher stopped him.

"Preet wait!" she said, hugging him from behind. "I'm sorry...I missed you too. In fact, I've been calling you all morning. Where were you?"

"Oh", said Preet. "I had something to take care of".

"Did your Bauji give you some work?" asked Meher.

"No", replied Preet, trying to avoid answering her question directly. "It was more personal. Um...Listen Meher, I wanted to give you a heads up. Daljeet Singh and Ashlesha are back. In fact they'll be at the party tonight".

"Oh No!" cried Meher worriedly. "How did they seem? I mean did they say where they went? Did it look like they were up to something?"

"Nothing about those two is normal", said Meher as she furrowed her brows in thought.

"Aray Meher tum toh perayshan ho gayi (Meher you're getting worried over nothing)", said Preet, putting his arm around Meher's shoulders. "Tonight's the mehndi party and tomorrow's the wedding. If Daljeet had wanted to disrupt the wedding she would have done something by now. So don't you worry your pretty little head off. Everything is going to be just great!"

"I hope so", sighed Meher. "But with those two at the party tonight, we'll have to be extra careful. Oh God! I was so enjoying myself with them gone. Why did they have to come back?"

"Look Meher", said Preet. "Just forget about those two, and let's focus on more important things. Ahem...Tell me how your day's been. I mean, what have you been up to other than daydreaming about me?"

"Hmpf!", said Meher, shrugging his arm off her. "You think all I do, is think about you the whole day?"

"Yes", said Preet.

"Well I'll have you know Mr. Preet Juneja", replied Meher, "That I have lot's of things to do. In fact", she said picking up the cushion covers she had come for, "I had better get going before Ma comes looking for me".

"Not so fast", said Preet as he took Meher into his arms. Meher smiled and was enjoying the moment when all of a sudden she heard her mom call out.

"Meher?!" Teji called. "Beta samaan nahin mila kya (Didn't you find the things I sent you for)?"

"Han (Yes) Ma", Meher cried. "Bas ek minute...Main abhi ayee (Just a minute...I'm coming)!" Meher tried to get out of Preet's grip, but he wouldn't let go. "Preet! Chodo mujhe (Let me go)!" she pleaded.

"No way, not unless you want to offer me a bribe first", said Preet pointing to his cheek.

"Preet! Ma aa jaye gi (my mom will come)!" cried Meher in a panic.

Preet shrugged his shoulder and let Meher go, only to suddenly grab her by her wrist.

"Preet!" cried Meher.

Preet ignored her, and began to whistle, looking at his watch and then his nails.

"Alright!" cried Meher. She gave Preet a quick peck on the cheek. Preet let her go and pointed to his other cheek. Meher slapped him playfully and ran off.

"Alright fine!" Preet called after her. "I did have another surprise for you, but if you're not interested...it's okay".

Sure enough, Meher came running back. "A surprise? For me?" she asked Preet checking his hands and pockets. "Where?"

"Na Ha!" smiled Preet. "Ab yeh surprise tumhe aaj raat ko hi mile ga (Now you'll get this surprise tonight only)".

"Aaj raat ko (Tonight)? Kaise (How)? Preet please, tell me what it is", pleaded Meher. But Preet folded his arms in determination and just shook his head.

"Meher?!" Teji called again.

"Han Ma main ayee (Yes mother, I'm coming)!" called Meher. She turned and frowned at Preet.

"What?" asked Preet innocently. "Tonight..." he reassured her. "Ab jaldi jao warna tumhari Ma naraz ho jaye gi (Now hurry up and go else your mother will get upset)".

Later that evening the Juneja family joined the small group of guests at the Maan home for the mehndi rasam. Gaytri, Kulraj, and Veera arrived followed closely behind by Ashlesha and Daljeet. Gaytri handed Teji the bowl of mehndi from the groom's family and she and Kulraj then took their seats. Veera began to mingle with the other young girls there, stopping to take pictures of the event with the camera she had brought.

All the women drifted to the left side of the yard, where mehndi would be applied to their hands. All were looking forward to their turn. The men on the other hand not having much to do gathered on the right side to catch up on the latest news in sports and politics. The cool evening air and festive music played on the dholki by the local women had everyone in a good mood. Only Ashlesha in her western attire looked out of place.

Meher was inside helping Heer get ready, when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in", said Heer.

The door opened and there stood little Tanu. "Heer Mami!" she cried as she ran in and hugged Heer and then Meher.

"Tanu?" said Heer. "Beta what are you doing here? We're going to be down in a few minutes. Did your mom send you?"

"Na Ha", said Tanu shaking her head vigorously. "Prem Mamu did. He said to give you this". She handed Heer a red rose. "And this", she said kissing Heer on the cheek, before running outside again. Heer gasped as her face turned crimson.

"Oh Ho!" teased Meher. "Romance karna to koi Prem Jiju se seekhay (One can learn a thing or 2 about romance from Prem)! Is it just me or has it suddenly become hot in here?"

"Who said I was teasing?" laughed Meher, as she locked arms with Heer and walked towards the door. "Neechay janay ka time ho gaya hai (It's time to go down stairs), and your face is as red as a tomato! Prem Jiju ka paighaam soon kar ye hal hai toh unke saamne ja ker kya hal ho ga (If this is your reaction on getting a message from him, what will happen when you come face to face with him)!"

Minutes later, Heer and Meher were outside. Cheers rang out among the guests to welcome the lucky bride. Meher helped seat her sister near Gaytri, as the woman applying mehndi came to Heer and asked her what name to write into her design. Heer stole a glance at Prem and then looked down shyly.

"Prem!" cried Meher and Veera together.

Preet meanwhile was seated next to Prem watching his brother closely. Prem's gaze was fixed on Heer. Preet leaned close to Prem's ear and coughed loudly, bringing him back to reality.

"Kya baat hai Prem Bhaiya (What's up bro)?" teased Preet. "Thoda humse bhi kabhi baat kar liya karein (You know, you hardly ever spare time to talk to me any more)".

"Preet tum bhi na (Preet you're impossible)!" cried Prem. But now Preet was not listening. His eyes had become fixed on the beautiful girl approaching them with a tray of snacks. Prem smiled. It was his turn to tease his younger brother. He snapped his fingers in front of Preet.

"Huhn?" said Preet coming back to reality.

"Kyun bachoo (Okay kiddo)", said Prem. "Ab aap kahan kho gai thay (Look who's lost now)?"

"Woh...main (Um...I)", stuttered Preet.

"Sherbet and snacks anyone?" asked Meher and Veera, holding their trays before Preet and Prem.

"Thanks", said Prem. "You're looking very pretty tonight Meher. Hain Na (Right) Preet?" He said nudging his brother with his elbow.

"Huhn? Oh yeah...I guess", said Preet quietly, not wanting to give his brother another opportunity to tease him. His excitement suddenly grew as he looked over the tray of snacks and picked out something. "Aray wah!" he cried. "Gol gol ladoo, bilqul tumhari tarah (Oh Wow!...Little round ladoos, just like you)".

Meher's mouth fell open. She glared at Preet in disbelief. She had taken such care in getting ready for tonight, and this was the response she got?! I mean okay he was sitting next to his brother but just what was he implying. "Excuse me..." she said in a serious tone. "Did you just call me a ladoo?"

"Yes...I mean No!" cried Preet, his eyes widening as he realized his mistake. "I mean...your dress...it's the same saffron color with bits of green and red, and...and...you're as sweet...and...No?" he asked shaking his head. Meher wasn't buying it. Preet looked over at Prem for help, but he just shrugged his shoulders. "Man! Sometimes I'm like a poster boy for Aa Bayl Mujhe Maar (Hey bull come and hit me)", Preet remarked out loud.

"Oh! So now she's a bull?" asked Veera mischieviously.

"No!" cried Preet, glaring angrily at his sister.

"Thanks", Meher said dryly.

"It's moments like these Meher, that make it hard for me to believe a nice girl like you has settled on my younger brother", chuckled Prem.

"Yes, well...everyone has a momentary lapse of sanity", said Meher looking at Preet and shaking her head in disappointment.

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" cried Preet.

"Nothing", said Meher, nodding at Veera. "Oh by the way Preet...what's that on your shirt?" As soon as Preet looked down to where she was pointing to, Meher flicked his nose, making his mouth fall open and his head fall back. Veera quickly snapped his picture on her camera.

"Ha! Ha!" laughed Veera, as she gave Meher a high-5. "My friends from Prep school are gonna love this shot of the Great Preet Juneja!"

"Why you little!" cried Preet as he lunged at Veera.

Meher stopped him and stuffed another ladoo in his hand. "In case tumhe meri yaad aye (Just in case you miss me)", she remarked, before walking back into the house.

Preet passed his hand through his hair and exhaled loudly. He got up and went after Meher. "Meher wait!" he said, catching up to her in the kitchen. "What was that all about?! How could you gang up against me with Veera?!"

"And how could you call me fat?!" demanded Meher. "Woh bhi Prem Jiju ke saamne (That too in front of Prem)!"

"When did I say that?!" asked Preet.

"You called me a gol gol (little round) ladoo Preet! And...and...a bayl (bull)! In front of the guests!" cried Meher.

"But I didn't mean..." said Preet.

"Don't tell me...tum mazak kar rahe thay...hai na (you were joking...right)?" said Meher. "That's the problem! You think everything is a joke. Why can't you for once be romantic like Prem Jiju? You know what he did? He sent a red rose for Heer Didi. And a kiss..."

"Prem Bhaiya kissed Heer bhabi in front of you?!" asked Preet with his eyes widening.

"No Preet!" said Meher rolling her eyes. "He did all this via Tanu!"

Meher sighed. "Gestures Preet. I'm talking about simple little gestures. What Prem Jiju did was so sweet and simple, but so romantic. Forget it. Tum nahin samjho gay (You'll never understand)".

"Lekin (but) Meher...", said Preet. But Meher wasn't listening and walked out of the house. Preet thought for a minute. A smile came over his face as he marched out after her.

Meher came and quietly sat next to Heer. She saw Preet come out of the house and walk over to the guys. He was busy discussing something with them. I wonder what he's up to now, sighed Meher. She shook her head and turned to admire her sister's mehndi when, to her surprise, Preet joined the ladies and sat between his mother and Heer.

"Aray Preet. Tum yahan kya kar rahay ho (Preet...What are you doing here)?" asked Gaytri.

"Just checking out how everything is going on this side", replied Preet. "It's so boring over there. You girls look like you're having all the fun".

"Well technically speaking", said Veera, "you guys are not even supposed to be here. This is supposed to be a girl's only thing".

"Yes", added Kulraj, "Don't tell me you want mehndi applied to your hands too".

"Ha! Ha! Very funny!" retorted Preet. He glanced over at Meher, but she was avoiding looking at him, so he turned his attention towards Heer. He smiled mischievously as he caught Heer smiling shyly and exchanging glances with Prem every now and then. "Kya baat hai Heer Bhabi (What's up Heer Bhabi)?" he said nudging her lightly on the shoulder. "Yeh ankhon ki code language mein yoon chup ke se Prem Bhaiya se kya batein ho rahi hain? Koi paigham hai toh main PB ko poncha deta hoon (I see you and Prem have this reading each others eyes code language going on. If you have a message for him, just tell me. I'll be happy to deliver it)".

"Kya? Um...Nahin to (What? Um...no)", said a flustered looking Heer.

"Preet tum Heer ko tang karna bas karo (Preet, stop bothering Heer)", said Gaytri.

"Aray tang kahan kar rahoon Ma (What makes you think I'm bothering her Ma)?" asked Preet innocently. "Main toh bas itna keh raha hoon ke maana PB romance ke department main ustad hain...par yahan to woh ladkiyon ki tarah sharma ke aik taraf bhaitain huay hain. I mean...is tarah chup chup ke pyar ka izhar karne se kya faida (All I'm saying is that PB may be the head of the romance department, but right now he's standing in a corner like a shy little girl. Why be so shy about showing your love)". He paused and smiled as he saw Meher look up at him, with her brows furrowed. "Hey PB, kya khyal hai? Kuch ho jaye? (Hey PB, what say? Shall we do something?) You know...some poetry...some song and dance to serenade Heer Bhabi...not to mention liven up this party with. Waise bhi shadi se pehle ke romance ka alag hi maza hota hai (You know, some of the best romance happens before marriage). I mean after that...who knows when the cricket team will start to arrive".

"Preet!!!" all the ladies cried simultaneously.

"Me? Well...", Prem thought for a minute, before coming back to his senses. "Preet stop pulling my leg!"

"Han", said Kulraj as she smacked her younger brother on the head. "Har koi tumhari tarah besharam todi na hota hai (Yes. Not everyone is completely shameless like you)".

"Look Preet!" interrupted Ashlesha. "I just had your name incorporated into my mehndi design.

"Okay! It's getting dangerous over here", said Preet getting up nervously. "Maybe my coming over here wasn't such a good idea after all". He began to walk away, when Meher stopped him.

"Ek (One) minute Preet", said Meher as she walked over to him and folded her arms as if challenging him. "Jane se pehle itna bata do...ke agar tum Prem Jiju ke jaga hote...to kya kehte (Before you go...at least tell us what you would do if you were in Prem's place)?"

"You really want to know?" smiled Preet.

"Yes", said Meher.

(Song credit: Soniye Ve, from Kismat Konnection. Lyrics in pruple in case anyone wants to skip over them.)

Make Some Noise

Put Your Hands Up

Come on

Chorus: {Come On Come On Now

Sing It Aloud Soniye!}

Preet:

Dhak Dhak Dhak Mera Dil Dhadke

Tere Bin Tere Bin Dil Na Lage

Oye...Dhak Dhak Dhak Mera Dil Dhadke

(He points to Meher)

Tere Bin Tere Bin Dil Na Lage

Jab Jab Dekhoon Tera Mukhda Haseen

Akhiyon Mein Milne Ke Khwab Saje

Tujhe Doli Mein Bhittah Ke

Teri Maang Saja Ke

Lejaoon Mein Sab Se Chura Ke

Oye! Soniye Ve Soniye Mere Naal Aaja Soniye

Soniye Ve Soniye Mere Naal Aaja Soniye

Soniye Ve Soniye Mere Naal Aaja Soniye

(Preet smiles at Meher as if to ask if he's answered her question.)

Chorus:

{You're So Beautiful...

(Preet walks over to a girl and flashes Meher an A-OK sign. He twirls over to some other girls, dancing and flirting with each one in turn. Meher rolls her eyes.)

You Got The Moves But You're In Control'

O Meri Sweet Hot Soniye,

You Make Me Hip, You Make Me Hop,

So Lets Beat It Non-Stop...}

Meher (thinks for a minute then challenges him further):

Kehthe Hai Pyar Kise Aaj Humko Yeh Bathla De

Chorus:

{You Got Me Hipping and Hopping

Got My Beating Non Stopping,

Everytime I Got You Looking At Me

Crazy For You Baby Now!}...

Meher:

Ho... Kehthe Hai Pyar Kise Aaj Humko Yeh Bathla De

Matlab Pyar Ka

Deewane Zara Samjha De

Preet (walks back towards Meher smiling):

Rakdo Kadam Tum Apne Jahaan Par

Jaan Wahi Hum De Denge

(He takes her hand and kneels)

Itni Ijaazath Raab Mujhe De De Sajda Mein Ishq Ka Karloon

(Meher quickly pulls her hand back, and looks embarrassed. Preet walks in a circle around her, pretending to be carrying a doli)

Haan Tujhe Doli Mein Bhittah Ke

Teri Maang Saja Ke

(He flashes his hand in front of her face suddenly, startling her)

Lejaoon Mein Sab Se Chura Ke

Soniye Ve Soniye Mere Naal Aaja Soniye,

Soniye Ve Soniye Mere Naal Aaja Soniye

(Preet extends his hand. Meher thinks he's offering it to her and smiles, but he reaches past her and pulls a girl dressed in a blue outfit standing next to her towards him and twirls her around in dance. Meher's mouth falls open.)

Meher (sits next to her mother and sister, then asks):

Chodd Ke Mein Apno Ko Tere Saath Kaise Jaaoon?

Ho...Chodd Ke Mein Apno Ko Tere Saath Kaise Jaaoon?

Ajnabi Rishton Ko Soch Soch Mein Ghabraoon

Preet (puts his arm around Balraj's shoulder, and continues):

Hogi Kami Mehsoos Na Inki Ithna Khayaal Mein Rakhoonga

(He looks towards Meher intently)

Kehna Saka Jo Baath Zubaan Se Aakhon Se Meri Padh Lein

(He winks at her, as she tries unsuccessfully to control her smile.)

Ho.. Tujhe Doli Mein Bhittah Ke Teri Maang Saja Ke Lejaoon Mein Sab Se Chura Ke

Hoye! Soniye Ve Soniye Mere Naal Aaja Soniye

Soniye Ve Soniye Mere Naal Aaja Soniye

(The guys and girls start clapping and dancing in a circle. "Come on Meher Di" pleads Veera as she pulls Meher into the circle. "Let's join them!" Prem runs over and takes Heer by her arm and they too join the circle. Preet and Meher run over to Gaytri, Kulraj and Teji and pull them in as well).

Everyone sings:

Soniye Ve Soniye Mere Naal Aaja Soniye

Soniye Ve Soniye Mere Naal Aaja Soniye

Later that night, Meher was in her room admiring the mehndi design drying on her hands. She wasn't going to wash it off until morning, she had decided. Her mother had said that the darker the color turned out indicated how deep a love their soulmate would have for them. If only I could have had Preet's name written on my hand instead of Ashlesha, she wished. Oh well, she sighed, only one more day to go, then she'd talk to her parents about Preet.

Meher turned off the lights pushed her bed covers back and sat down on her bed, only to get up quickly. "Ouch!" she cried rubbing her behind. Something had pricked her. She quickly turned the lights back on and checked her bed for the culprit. She was surprised to find a red rose there. Meher picked up the flower carefully avoiding the thorns. What on earth is this doing here, she wondered, as the already squished flower's stem gave way and bent in her hand. Just then she heard a sound. She looked towards the window. There it was again. She grabbed her dupatta and quietly tip-toed to the window, and gasped as Preet's head appeared.

"Preet?!" she cried.

"Shhh!" whispered Preet. "Do you want to wake up the entire house? And don't worry", he grinned, "I used the ladder this time".

Meher backed up to allow him in. "Preet!" she hissed. "What are you doing here at this hour?"

"Well", said Preet. "I came to see you. Aren't you surprised?"

"Yes...but...", said Meher.

"I even snuck upstairs and left you a rose, before leaving the party earlier tonight", said Preet cutting her off and raising his arms out SRK style. "I wanted you to feel my love in full filmy style".

"Kyun (Why)?" asked Preet cornering her against the wall and moving his eyebrows up and down mischievously. "Aur kya chahtee ho (What else would you like)?"

"Preet!" said Meher, pushing him away. "You shouldn't be here. Everyone is at home! Koi aa jai ga! Koi dekh le ga (Someone will come! Someone may see us)!"

Preet rolled his eyes, exhaled loudly and then took Meher by the shoulders and turned her back and forth, before lifting and looking under her dupatta.

"Preet!" cried Meher as she hit his hand. "What do you think you're doing?!"

"I'm looking for the replay button", said Preet. "It seems to be stuck on auto. Kya Meher...Tumhe Prem Bhaiya itnay romantic lagte hain (Come on Meher...You think Prem is so romantic). Here I take all these risky Romeo steps and my Juliet's just like a broken record...Koi aa jai ga Koi dekh le ga... Koi aa jai ga Koi dekh le ga".

"Preet! Romeo and Juliet died in the end!" said Meher.

"Oh yeah? Well...main apni honay wali biwi ke saat hoon...kisi ka kya jaata hai (I'm with my wife to be...so why should anyone care)", he argued.

"Honay wali biwi Preet...not biwi (Wife to be not wife Preet)...there's a difference", said Meher. "And we're not even official yet".

"I thought we already made it official in the mandir", said Preet scratching his head.

"Yes. But that was for you and me", explained Meher. "We haven't gotten our parents' permission, and we're not even engaged yet. So it's not official official".

"Which friend?" asked Meher, her curiosity suddenly peaking.

"Bas woh thi na aik (Just someone)", said Preet.

"Bauhat...khoobsurat thi kya (Was she really beautiful)?" asked Meher jealously.

"I don't know...I wasn't really paying attention", said Preet shrugging his shoulders.

"Oh" said Meher. "The one in the green dress".

"Na Ha!" said Preet trying to hide his smile. "Light blue dress, choker chain, long curly hair".

"Wow...total recall...and you weren't even paying attention", said Meher sarcastically.

"You should have seen her heels", Preet continued to tease Meher. "They must have been at least 6-inches long. Tum pehanti toh gir hi jaati (If you had worn them you definitely would have fallen)".

"What?! What's that supposed to mean?" cried Meher.

"I mean...cause you don't normally wear high heels...right", grinned Preet.

Meher's mouth fell open. "I thought you were only dancing with those other girls so Daljeet Singh wouldn't suspect. Preet Juneja!" she cried beating his chest with her fists. "If you so much as even look at another girl...Mein tumhare chote chote tukray kar ke chicken feed mein mila doon gi (I'll cut you up into little pieces and add you to the chicken feed)!" She hugged Preet tightly.

"Ye kya?" laughed Preet as he put his arms around her. "Pehle maar dhar...phir pyar (What's this? First you threaten to beat me and now you're hugging me). He cupped Meher's face with his hands. "Look Meher I was just teasing okay".

Meher only pouted in response.

"Meher...okay?" Preet asked again.

"Okay", said Meher. "But you still shouldn't be here".

"Look Meher", said Preet, "I don't want either one of us to get in trouble, but I had to see you. Tomorrow is PB's wedding and then in a few days, we're all going back to Canada. Every moment counts".

"Don't remind me", sighed Meher. "I don't know what I'm going to do without you Preet".

"Don't worry", said Preet. "Ma and the rest of the family already adore you. I just have to talk to Bauji. Prem Bhaiya is marrying your sister, so in a way the road has already been paved for us. Bauji will have no objection. Sure he'll make a fuss like he did with PB about how we're worlds apart, or that I have to prove myself in business first. But at the end of the day main unko mana ke hi chodoon ga (I'll convince him). In fact the only real obstacle I can see is the independent business project my Bauji will hand me".

"How long do you think that'll take to complete?" asked Meher.

"A year maybe", replied Preet.

"A year?" cried Meher.

"Yes, but don't worry", Preet reassured her. "I'll just tell Bauji to set up something here in India. We'll see each other every day. I'll have PB, Kuldi, Veera, Ma...everyone's backing...it'll be a piece of cake. And before you know it we'll be together...forever".

"Hey!" cried Preet suddenly. "I almost forgot the most important reason I came here tonight". He took Meher by the hand and walked over to the dresser's mirror. He smiled at their reflection being brightened by the moonlight coming through the nearby window. "Now close your eyes", he said.

Meher smiled and closed her eyes. She gasped as she felt Preet's hands trying to remove the dupatta from around her neck. "Preet?" she said, as she opened her eyes and looked at him questioningly.

Preet leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Trust me".

Meher took a deep breath and closed her eyes again. She could feel Preet's warm hands remove her dupatta. After a brief pause, she felt Preet's hands around her neck again, but this time there was something cold too.

"Okay", said Preet. "You can open your eyes now".

Meher's mouth fell open as she saw something glistening in the moonlight being reflected in the mirror. It was a beautiful heart shaped pave diamond necklace.

"It's to replace the beads we tied up in Kasauli", smiled Preet. Meher became speechless as tears welled up in her eyes. "What's the matter Meher? Don't you like it?" he asked worriedly. "I spent the whole day in Ludhiana yesterday looking for just the right one". Meher still didn't say anything. "Look if it's the Tanu factor that's missing in all of this...I mean...she was asleep...and besides Kuldi would have chopped my head off if I had taken her out of the house at this hour...and..."

"Preet!" said Meher suddenly turning around and grabbing Preet by the collar. "I love you", she whispered, as she gently planted a kiss on his lips and then hugged him tightly.

"I know", said Preet, breaking off the hug and looking into her eyes. "Oops! Hey Meher, there's some mehndi on your shirt. Here let me wipe it off for you", he offered.

"Where?" asked Meher looking down. Right at that instant, Preet flicked her nose. Meher's mouth fell open. "Preet Juneja!" she hissed.

Preet and Meher looked at each other then suddenly both burst out laughing.

Preet pulled Meher into a hug again. "I love you Meher", he said. "And I always will".