Another update and another birthday...😛
This time it's our very own Heer...the best sister Meher could ever ask for.
So a very special Happy Birthday Greeting to Additi Gupta...🥳:
Chapter 45 - Family Reunion
Meher walked into the office at the community center. She had been told to come and attend a personal phone call. "Hello?" she said.
"Hi Meher, it's me", said Preet. "Look I'm sorry. About what...I'm still not sure...but I'm sorry. I'd really like for you to reconsider about the..."
"No!" Meher said, before hanging up. She was about to walk away, when the phone rang again. "Hello?" she answered.
"Okay, to hell with the project", said Preet. "I still want to see you. I need to find out why you..."
"No!" cried Meher.
"Meher please!" cried Preet. "Meri baat toh suno (At least hear me out)".
"Tumhe samajh nahin aata kya (Don't you understand anything)?" said Meher. "Hindi, English, Spanish, French...the answer is still 'No'. Aur yahan pe bar bar call kar ke tamasha mat khada karo (And don't create a scene by calling here again and again). Please...just leave me alone".
Later that afternoon...
Meher collected her things and got ready to leave. She locked the main entrance of the community center and walked out only to stop. There was a lone car standing in the parking lot. The roof was down, and the driver had apparently gotten tired of waiting and fallen asleep. Preet? wondered Meher.
As Meher got closer to the car, she saw that it was indeed Preet. Dressed casually in T-shirt, jeans, and sun glasses, with tousled hair and asleep with his mouth slightly open, he looked so at peace with himself that Meher could not resist the smile that had crept up to her lips. His boyish good-looks not going unnoticed by her, she gently pushed the hair back from his forehead and smiled again as she carefully pushed his chin up to close his mouth. She pulled her hand back as soon as she felt him stir in his sleep, and quickly walked away.
"Meher", Preet whispered as he came to. He looked around the lot, but there was no one there. Preet looked at his watch and then ran to check the community center's doors. They were locked. Preet cursed his bad luck. He had millions of things to take care of at the office, but had spent the entire afternoon waiting for Meher to come out. And now she was gone. Yeh ladki mujhe pagal kar ke chode gi (This girl is going to drive me insane), he thought.
The next day...
Meher was standing by a closet, sorting and packing supplies into boxes for the community center's upcoming move, when Mrs. Mathews approached her. "Meher, Mr. Juneja is here to see you. I've asked him to have a seat in my office. You go on and see what he wants and I'll take over from you here. Oh and Meher, please be nice...these are very important people and they've been very considerate of our needs".
Meher nodded but she was very upset. She walked quickly to the office. What is wrong with him?! She thought. Why doesn't he understand?! "Preet!" she cried as she entered the room. "Didn't I tell you..." Meher stopped in mid-sentence. The Mr. Juneja standing before her was not Preet. "Prem Jiju?!? Oh my God! I can't believe this!" she cried as she covered her mouth, with her hands, in disbelief.
"Meher!" said Prem as he walked over and gave her a hug. "So I was right! It is you! What a relief! Wait a minute young lady! You have a lot of explaining to do! We all thought you were...Where were you all this time? How? When? Why didn't you...?"
"It's a long story", Meher said wiping a tear from her eye.
"I'm sure it is", said Prem, "and I want to hear every single detail...but first, I want to take you home. There are 2 very anxious ladies waiting there, who are counting every second of my return".
A short while later...
Heer was pacing back and forth, in front of the door, wringing her hands nervously. Prem had been gone for 2 hours now, and he still hadn't returned. Ever since he had told her about Preet taking Meher's name she had been going through an entire range of emotions, from joy to uncertainty to fear. Was it Meher? Our Meher? Was she alive? Why hadn't she contacted them? Uff!! Why hadn't Prem at least called her? Just let him come home, thought Heer angrily. I'm going to flush that iphone of his down the toilet for sure! Just then she heard movement outside the door. She opened it almost as soon as Prem rang the bell. Teji too came running anxiously.
"Heer, I..." Prem began.
"It wasn't her, was it?" said Heer dejectedly. "I should have known it was too good to be true". She took her mother by the arm and turned to walk back into the house. "I'm sorry Ma. I didn't mean to get your hopes up. It's just that..."
"Heer Didi...Ma", Meher called out.
Heer and Teji turned around to see a smiling Prem step aside to reveal the girl who had been standing behind him.
"Meher!" Heer and Teji cried simultaneously, as they ran to hug her. It was a tearful but joyous reunion. As everyone sat themselves down in the living room to hear Meher's story.
Meher related to her family the extent of her injuries in the accident and how helpless and alone she felt after being led to believe that her family had rejected her. She also told them about Rajveer and his dadi coming out of no where and helping her through her recovery, and about how Shampa and Manmeet had taken her in.
"My poor little girl, you've been through so much", cried Teji. "But how could you ever think that we abandoned you?"
"Yes", said Heer. "In fact, we were told you didn't survive the accident".
"I know", said Meher. "And I didn't believe it at first. But I couldn't get in touch with you all despite repeated attempts. And then the state of mind I was in...I guess I just started assuming the worst. If it wasn't for Rajveer I would never have found out the truth or about Papaji".
"He remembered you till the very end", said Teji. "If only he was alive to see his little girl". Meher hugged Teji and cried her heart out remembering her Papaji. Heer brought over a box of tissue and offered it to Meher and Teji, before pulling one out for herself.
"Who? Who would have stooped low enough to spread a lie about something like this? And why?" Heer asked, as she wiped her tears.
"Daljeet Singh", Meher replied simply. "I'm sure she had a hand in it. She was willing to do anything to have Preet for her daughter. She even tried to buy me off in the hospital with promises of large sums of money if only I would walk out of his life for good. She probably bribed the staff after I refused".
"And you've been in San Francisco for over a month now? Why didn't you try to contact us?" asked Heer.
"I would have, if I only knew where you were", said Meher. "After my recovery the first thing I did was go the Juneja's house in Toronto. Unfortunately I showed up at Herman and Maya's wedding. I asked the servants, but everyone just kept on saying that you guys were no longer living there. I didn't know whether to believe them or not. But then I met Lalit Uncle. He wasn't happy to see me at all. I tried to ask him about you but he wouldn't let me get in a word edgewise...just asked me to leave, else he'd have me arrested for trespassing".
"What!" cried Heer.
"I don't believe this! You met Bauji? He knew you were alive all this time?" Prem cried in disbelief. "He knew and didn't tell anyone?"
"I'm afraid it's true", said Meher. "He was very bitter about you and Heer Didi having left the family. I guess he thought I had come to take Preet away too".
"That means that Bauji is involved with Daljeet Singh in this whole cover up. Mere Bauji itna gir sakte hain (My father could stoop so low)...I can't believe it", said Prem. "I'm sorry Meher. I'm so sorry that you, Heer, and Ma ji had to suffer because of him.
"It's all right Jiju. It wasn't your fault", said Meher.
"No. But that Dr. Khanna pulled a fast one on us and we just bought his story...never even thought to question anything. Damn! I should have known better", sighed Prem. "Even when Preet met you here, he tried to tell me and I just didn't get it".
"Preet told you he met me?" asked Meher.
"Well not exactly", said Prem. "I mean he said that a girl was giving him a hard time..."
"I was giving him a hard time!" cried Meher. "What about him?! I was there the night of his engagement. We met, but he ignored me completely, and walked up onto the stage and stood next to Ashlesha, as if I was a stranger, as if I didn't matter any more! I don't know what Lalit uncle was worried about. Preet seemed perfectly content to fulfill his wishes. Main hi bewakoof thi, joh her pal usko yaad karti rahi, jabke who apni zindagi mein aagay bar gaya tha (I was a fool to think of him every second of the day, when he had moved on in his life). And when I met him here in San Francisco and asked him if he knew where my sister was, he lied and said he had no clue".
"Meher, did you stay for the entire program?" asked Prem.
"No" replied Meher. "I couldn't bring myself to watch the entire drama unfold. Waise bhi I had over stayed my welcome. But I'll never forgive him Jiju. I know he's your brother but please, aap uski taraf daari mat kijiye ga (don't defend him)".
"You've got it all wrong Meher", said Prem, shaking his head. "Preet treated you like a stranger because to him you were one. He suffered a head injury in the accident, and it gave him a kind of amnesia, which wiped out recollection of events prior to it. He doesn't remember anyone he's met or anything that's happened to him in the last couple of years. In fact, Preet just blurted your name out by chance, otherwise we'd probably never have found you".
"What?" Cried Meher. Preet had lost his memory! No wonder he was always saying he had no idea what I was talking about. He wasn't just saying it, he really didn't know.
"We all thought you were dead Meher" explained Prem. "Bauji insisted no one mention anything about you to Preet, while he was recovering. He didn't think it was necessary to further traumatize him and tell him that the accident took someone's life. Especially of someone he loved. It seemed harmless at first...maybe even necessary for Preet's well-being. But as he got better, Bauji and Daljeet began to tell Preet that he and Ashlesha were going to be engaged before the accident. As far as they were concerned that was the truth. Ma, Kuldi, Herman just kept quiet...for the sake of peace in the family I guess. But Veera and I didn't want to have any part of this. Veera went back to London to start university. And as fate would have it. I stayed back in India, because your father had gotten ill.
Heer and I took your dad to Delhi to get treatment, but it was no use. After he passed away, we took Ma ji with us to London. Veera came to stay with us too. I thought maybe having someone your age around Ma ji would help, but she was having a hard time coping with her losses. I couldn't figure out if being around Veera was helping or hurting her, so a couple of months ago we moved to San Francisco and I took over the Juneja offices here".
"You did so much for Ma", said Meher. "I don't know how to thank you Prem Jiju".
"She's my mother too Meher", smiled Prem. "Having her with us almost makes up for the distance between me and my own mother. Ma's almost daily phone calls from Toronto makes up for the rest. Bauji and I, on the other hand, haven't spoken in a while. He may be bitter about my deciding to live separately fom the rest of the family, but until he decides to accept Heer whole heartedly...khair chodo...I guess Preet was right...it's always been 'my way or the highway' with Bauji.
It's funny though...he bent himself over backwards to have Preet accept Ashlesha, but he couldn't force him to fall in love with her. Preet didn't get engaged the night you saw him in Toronto, Meher. Bauji's couldn't make him agree to doing more than just make an announcement about an engagement in the near future".
Meher's mouth fell open. Preet is not engaged, she thought. He's not in love with Ashlesha. "Oh my God!" Meher cried. "Heer Didi, I've said so many terrible things to Preet...treated him miserably. I even told him I hated him! I have to find him and apologize!"
"So do I", muttered Heer.
"Don't worry Meher", smiled Prem. "I think Preet will more than understand once he learns the truth. In fact, I'll give him a call and tell him to come home right away".
"Ek minute Prem", said Teji. "We need to think things through before we talk to Preet. Maybe we shouldn't tell him anything".
"What do you mean?" asked Prem.
"I mean, why open a pandora's box unnecessarily", said Teji.
"But Ma ji he has to know", said Prem. "He should know that Meher is alive. That he's been lied to".
"And then what?" asked Teji. "Preet doesn't remember Meher. He doesn't remember that he loved her once. Telling him so is not suddenly going to awaken feelings for her that don't exist anymore. Nor is it going to make your father accept Meher. He knew she was alive, but didn't tell anyone. I don't even want to imagine the extent to which he and Daljeet are willing to go to achieve their purpose. No...It's a miracle that I've gotten my daughter back. I won't risk losing her again".
"But Ma ji", said Prem, "what about Preet? What if he marries Ashlesha?"
"You just said yourself that Preet hasn't agreed to anything because he doesn't love the girl", said Teji. "He's a smart boy. I don't think he'll compromise his life just to please your father. In any case, I don't want Meher to have any involvement in this".
"Ma please", protested Meher. "I love Preet. I won't lie to him. I already lost him once and I don't want to lose him again. We finally have a chance of putting everything that went wrong right aur aap dewaar ban rahi hain (and you want to become a wall between us). It's not fair! Maybe we can..."
"No Meher!" said Teji. "Enough is enough! You may love Preet, but he doesn't love you anymore. I know you're hurt, but things don't always work out in life as we'd like them to. Don't you see how much everyone's already suffered? Heer has been deprived of a normal life in her sasural, Prem of his family, and Gaytri of her Bahu. I'll talk to Manmeet as soon as possible, about getting our house back. I think it's best if you and I start making arrangements to go back to Ambala, so everything can go back to as normal as possible".
"But what about Preet?" asked Meher.
"Preet is not a child Meher", said Teji. "He will have to make his own decisions in life. But one thing is for sure...you are not going to be a part of it. And that's final!"
"This is not right Ma ji", said Prem. "I know how you feel but..."
"If you know how I feel then you'll cooperate", Teji said firmly. "If it was okay to remain quiet about the past for Preet...I expect you to do the same for Meher's sake. Now if you'll excuse me I'll go get dinner started".
Heer looked at her younger sister sitting with furrowed eyebrows and wearing a frown on her face. She obviously wasn't happy with their mother's decision. Knowing their mother though, she also knew it was no use arguing further at that point, so she tried to change the topic. "Oh God!" she said in as cheerful a voice as she could muster up. "Meher will get to eat your cooking after such a long time Ma".
"No Heer", said Teji. "Meher...Preet will be home soon and I think it'll be better for everyone, if you don't stay. The less interaction we have with you in front of him, the less we'll have to lie. Prem beta, I don't want to have to explain to Preet where you are either, so please call a cab for Meher. Don't worry... ", she said giving Meher a hug, "I'll come by and visit you tomorrow, and feed my little girl with my own hands. Please Beta...try and understand. It's for your own good".
Heer came and sat next to Meher after her mother left and hugged her younger sister. "Don't worry Meher, everything will be alright. Hey! You know I have something to tell you that'll surely cheer you up. Guess what? You're going to be a masi!"
"What?!?" Meher cried in surprise. "You're pregnant?!? Oh Heer Didi I'm so happy for you and Prem Jiju!" she said as she hugged her sister tigtly.
"4 months and counting", said Heer proudly patting her tummy.
"I wonder if Ma will let us stay until the baby comes?" said Meher.
"I don't think Ma will want to miss the entry of her first grandchild", said Heer. "But don't worry, even if she has other plans, together we'll do enough arm and leg twisting to make her stay". She looked over at her husband. He seemed quiet and lost in thought. "Prem are you all right?"
"Hmm? Oh yeah...", said Prem. "I'm sorry I don't mean to put a damper on this family reunion, but I was just thinking about Preet. If only there was a way..."
"Tum chinta mat karo Prem. Sab theek ho jaye ga (Don't worry Prem. Everything will be alright)", said Heer reassuringly. "Just give Ma some time".
Just then the doorbell rang. "Preet", whispered Prem looking at his watch. "It must be Preet".
"What do we do now?" asked Teji as she came rushing from the kitchen. "Meher quick! Go out the back door!"
"No Ma...just relax", said Meher.
To everyone's surprise she went and answered door. But no one was more surprised to see her than Preet. "Meher?!?" he cried. "Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho (What are you doing here)?" He had been hounding her for days, without any luck and now here she was standing inside his brother's house.
Preet walked in and looked from Prem to Heer to Teji. Oh-O, he thought. Why does everyone looks so serious? Meher must have complained about me to Prem Bhaiya. Preet Beta, tu toh aaj gaya kaam se. Aaj toh PB se maar bhi pade gi aur Heer bhabi se khana bhi nahin mile ga (Preet you're a goner. Today PB is going to beat you to a pulp and Heer Bhabi won't even let you have your last meal).
"How could you come here and complain to my brother about me", Preet whispered to Meher. "I know you don't want anything to do with me, but that's kind of hitting below the belt isn't it?"
"Huhn?" said Meher.
"Listen everybody", said Preet. "I...I can explain everything. Um...Uh...Yeh ladki bilkul pagal hai. Iski baatoon mein app sab bilkul mat aana (This girl is absolutely crazy. Don't listen to a word she says). I didn't do anything...Dharti Ma ki qasam".
"Preet!" cried Meher. "I didn't come here to complain about you".
"You didn't?" asked Preet.
"No", said Meher rolling her eyes. "Although right now I'm having second thoughts. I came here to see Heer Didi and her mom". Meher saw Teji frowning at her. "We...Uh...know each other from Ambala...grew up together in fact. I only found out they had moved to San Francisco today".
"Heh heh...Small world isn't it", Heer added, glaring at her sister.
"Well...are we all going to stand here in the doorway all night or are we going to get something to eat?" Prem asked. "I'm starving. Meher, would you like to stay?" Just then his phone rang. "Hello? Oh yes...Meher...the cab's outside...I can cancel it if you want to stay".
Meher glanced over at her mother and decided she didn't want to push her luck. "Perhaps another time", she said as she walked over to Heer and hugged her then Teji. "It was so good to see you all after such a long time. Um...Preet. Do you mind walking me outside?"
"No, of course not", said Preet.
Teji was about to protest, but Heer put a hand on her shoulder to calm her. "It's okay Ma", whispered Heer. "Meher's not going to disobey you".
"I know", sighed Teji, "but it's the loopholes she'll find that worry me".
Preet and Meher walked onto the driveway towards the waiting cab. "Why are you leaving Meher? Why don't you stay for dinner? I can always drop you home afterwards. Or Prem Bhaiya can drop you if you don't like my driving. In any case..."
"Preet", interrupted Meher. "I'm sorry. I said some awful things and totally misjudged you. I could almost kick myself, for ever doubting you. I hope you can forgive me".
"What? What did you say?" Preet asked in disbelief.
"I said I'm sorry", repeated Meher. "I was mean to you and I was wrong".
"One more time please", said Preet as he pretended to clear his ear with his finger. "Woh kya hain na...main thoda uncha sunta hoon (I don't think I quite heard you)".
Meher smiled at Preet's antics. "You're going to milk this one for all it's worth aren't you?" she said.
"You bet", said Preet. "This doesn't happen too often you know. I mean it's usually me who does all the apologizing. It feels good to be on the receiving end for a change".
"Uff ho! Sorry baba sorry!!" cried Meher holding her ears. "Khush (Happy)?" Preet nodded and smiled. "So...does this mean I'm forgiven?" she asked.
"Yes", said Preet, "but I still don't know why you were so angry with me. And what did you mean by doubting me?"
"Nothing", said Meher. "It was all just a big misunderstanding".
"Nahin Meher. Koi to baat thi (No Meher...there was something)", said Preet. "Why do I get the feeling you're keeping something from me?"
"Maine kaha na, it was all just a misunderstanding" said Meher. "Gussa kisi aur pe nikaalna chahiye tha aur galti se tum pe nikal gaya (I already told you it was all just a misunderstanding. My anger was intended for someone else and came out on you instead)".
"Koi baat nahin", said Preet. "Mere Bauji aur mere saat bhi aksar aise hi hota hai (That's okay. My dad often makes the same mistake)". Meher couldn't help but giggle, but straightened up as soon as she saw Preet smiling at her. She looks so different today, thought Preet. There's a brightness in her eyes that wasn't there before, as if someone just lifted a heavy burden from her heart. "So", he said, "does this mean we can be friends?"
Meher bit her lip and hesitated for a moment before walking on and answering, "Maybe".
"I'll take that as a yes", said Preet as he followed her. "And does this mean you'll take up my project?"
"No", said Meher as she sat in the cab.
"But why?" asked Preet. "I though we were friends now".
"I have to go", said Meher. She turned her attention to the driver and gave him her address.
"But you haven't answered my question", said Preet.
"Good night Preet" smiled Meher, as she passed her hand lovingly on his cheek.
Preet realized he wasn't going to get anything further out of Meher, so he backed away letting the cab drive off. He touched his cheek where Meher had just patted him. Suit yourself Meher, he thought as he walked back to the house, smiling to himself, per main bhi itni jaldi give up karne wala nahin hoon (But I won't give so easily).
"Preet! Tum aa gaye (Are you back)?" Heer called out as she heard the door close.
"Han Bhabi...woh", began Preet.
"Good!" said Heer. "Now go and freshen up quickly. We're about to sit down for dinner. I made your favorite...rajma and chawal".
Hmmm...Meher came by to say sorry, and now Heer Bhabi's being extra nice. Just what is going on here? Preet wondered. His amazement continued onto dinner, with Heer and Teji being unusually talkative. The same two women, who hadn't spoken 2 words to him in the entire last month, were more than willing to speak to him tonight about everything under the sun.
"So Preet", said Heer. "How is the new hotel project going?"
"Fine", said Preet. "We start construction in a few days. Everything is in place except for one thing...I'm still looking for an artist to handle the art design for the main lobby. I've asked Meher. It would be a great opportunity for her, but she keeps on refusing, and I'm not sure why? Maybe you can put in a good word for me seeing as how she's your childhood friend".
"Chodo na Preet (Forget it Preet). You don't know Meher. She can be very stubborn when she wants to be", said Heer. "If she refused then you may as well forget it. I'm sure you'll find someone else".
"No", Preet shook his head, "I don't want anyone else. There's something about her... I can't quiet put my finger on it...I don't know...call it gut instinct if you will, but I just know she'll be perfect for the job".
"Heh heh", Heer giggled nervously. "More rajma chawal anyone?"
Hope you all liked it 😛. Please don't forget to leave your comments or at least hit the like button. Thanks again for your support.
Also a special mention. As most of us know...Sushant is soon going to be making his bollywood debut in Abhishek Kapoor's next project based on a Chetan Bhagat novel. I'd like to encourage everyone interested, to join other Sushant fans at his Fan Club (#7), for the latest up to date news and discussions. The link is below:
Also for all those who loved Preet, Meher & the rest of the KDMHMD gang...please help increase their rank by taking the time out to comment on their profiles. Again no compulsion but a humble request...the choice is yours. Thanks again. 😃
Chapter 46 Preview: Preet tries to serenade Meher after getting a clue about their past from an unlikely source.
Edited by Fatima_Q - 10 years ago
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