Meet FF: Aadha Ishq - Page 55

Originally posted by: vrushika

hello ma'm sorry i know i havent been commenting really really chorry!!!
but i have read all the updates. and you know you write them so so so nicely!!
they were awesome.. so cute!! and the song.. ROFL... heheheh😆😆
it was very sweety sweety update! i loved it.
and preeet and meher were awesome
thank you so much for such a fab update!
i loved it.. and thank u for the pm.
next time i will not forget commenting
sorry again.. love ya take care..
beautiful update
loads of love vrushika

Chapter 47 - Mukhtasar Mulakatein

(Title Translation: Little meetings)

Meher walked out onto the community center's parking lot, where Preet was waiting for her. "Hi Meher!" he called out. Meher didn't answer. She walked up to his car, took a deep breath, opened the door and quietly sat down.

"It's a beautiful day isn't it?" Preet asked cheerfully. {Silence} "Is Mrs. Mathews satisfied with the new location of the community center? {Silence} How are your art classes going? {Silence} Is there any particular place you'd like to go for coffee?"

Meher remained quiet and stared silently ahead. Oh-O, thought Preet. She must be super angry with me. I guess I really over did it last night.

Preet drove in silence to a nearby coffee shop and picked up some coffee and snacks to go. He then drove his car to a scenic spot overlooking the city. "There...this is so much better than some restaurant isn't it?" he asked, "you can see the entire town from here". Meher didn't answer.

"Fair?" Meher finally spoke. "Tumne mujhe apne saat aanay ke liye majboor kiya hai apni bachkani harkatoon ki wajah se (You left me no choice. I had to come because of your childish behavior). Is that fair? You never once stopped to think how I felt or what I wanted. Forget about me, what about all the other people you disturbed? People I have to interact with on a daily basis. Do you have any idea how mortified my family was? They don't think they can ever face their neighbors again. You're really lucky you're drinking coffee and not wearing it right now!"

"Meher, I'm sorry", said Preet. "I'm sorry about my behavior over the past few days, and most of all I'm sorry if I upset you. It was never my intention to hurt anyone. But you kept on ignoring me and I couldn't think of any other way to get your attention.

If it makes you feel any better, I'll have you know...I called Mrs. Mathews and apologized. I even sent her a bouquet of flowers. I also apologized to the fishermen at the docks after you left that day. I had my office send them gift certificates to the best fish and tackle shop in town. Oh and I paid for everyone's lunch at the bistro yesterday to make up for the disturbance I caused. And I'm having my secretary send fruit baskets with apology notes delivered to all of your neighbors...so everything should be okay on that end too.

Still...I don't blame you for being upset. My behavior was rude, inconsiderate, childish, immature, irritating...", Preet looked at Meher, she was nodding along. "You can stop me anytime you want you know...Um...Uh...Here", he said holding out a cup for Meher with one hand while holding his ear with the other, "You're perfectly welcome to make me wear this coffee if you're not interested in drinking it. But I have to warn you...it totally clashes with what I'm wearing".

Meher covered her mouth with her hand in an effort to conceal her smile. She took the cup from Preet's hand, shook her head and sighed. "Preet Juneja...what am I going to do with you?"

"Not with me...For me?" Preet corrected her. "I'd like you to take up my hotel project".

"No", said Meher.

"But why?" asked Preet. "You said we could be friends. And I'm assuming you've forgiven me for serenading you. So what's the problem?"

"There isn't any problem, Preet", said Meher. "It's a fantastic opportunity. But it's just not for me. Waise bhi...maine painting karni chod di hai (In any case, I've stopped painting)".

"Why?" asked Preet. "Does this have something to do with your accident?"

"I don't want to talk about that", said Meher. "Besides, I'm just an amateur. I'm not good enough for a large scale project like yours".

"Yes you are", Preet argued. "I saw your painting at Gaurav's house. The one you gave to him and Sam as a wedding present. It was beautiful. And, you'll have an entire team of helpers, so there is nothing to worry about".

Meher's eyes widened in surprise. The friend with him the other day was Gaurav? Sam's husband? No wonder he looked familiar. I wonder what else he told Preet. Did he know about us? How could he, we hardly ever met. A part of Meher wished she could tell Preet everything and be done with it. But she couldn't bring herself to disobey her mother out right. She was the only parent she had left and had already been through so much. Meher didn't want to be responsible for causing her anymore pain.

"Preet, please try and understand", said Meher. "I have my reasons. I made some promises to my family. And I just...can't".

"Lo...itni si baat hai (Is that all)", said Preet. "I'll talk to your family for you. I'm sure I can convince them".

"No", Meher shook her head, "I don't want my family to find out". She shuddered at the thought of her mother finding out that she was with Preet right now.

"What's the matter Meher?" Preet asked, gently taking Meher's hand into his and looking into her eyes. "What's holding you back? What are you so afraid of? Your family? The scale of the project? Or spending too much time with me?"

Meher's face turned red. "No...I...", she stammered pulling her hand back. "I'm not afraid of anything".

Preet smiled. Meher's reaction had given him yet another confirmation to prove his hunch about them was right.

Just then her phone rang. It was from home. "Hello?" she answered.

"Why? Is everything alright?" Meher asked.

"Yes, but I your need help", cried Manmeet. "Shampa is trying to get home from her book club meeting, but there is an accident on the highway on that side of town, and she's stuck in traffic. The babysitter left for the day and in the mean time I'm home alone with Harpreet. I had a tough at work today and I'm afraid he's proving to be a bit too much for me to handle. Plus he keeps asking for his Meh Meh. Do you mind coming home right away?"

"No, of course not", said Meher. "I'll be right over. Preet, I need to go home right away".

"Is everything alright?" said Preet as he started the car.

"Just a little family emergency", said Meher.

A short while later...

Preet pulled up in front of Shampa and Manmeet's home. "Mind if I come inside?" He asked. "It'll give me a chance to apologize to everybody". Meher nodded and rushed towards the door. Preet followed her to the house. To his surprise, a young child's wail pierced the air, as soon as she opened the door. Inside stood a tired looking young man, about Prem's age, holding a toddler, who was desperately trying to get away.

"Meh Meh" cried Harpreet with outstretched arms, as soon as he saw Meher.

"Meher! Thank God you're home. Yeh lo apne laadle ko sambhalo", said Manmeet as he handed Meher the baby.

"Aw. Poor Harpreet. What happened sweetheart? Why are you so cranky?" Meher asked as she kissed the baby. "I'm sure it's nothing a change of diaper and something for your tummy can't fix...right? Don't you worry, I'm here now. I'll take care of everything". Just then she remembered Preet. "Oh Preet! I'm so sorry. Manmeet this is Preet. Preet...Manmeet".

"Hello sir", Preet said meekly as he extended his hand. Manmeet nodded and shook his hand.

"And this little guy is Harpreet or Harry as we like to call him", continued Meher. "Isn't he the cutest little angel you've ever seen?"

Preet looked at the toddler, with soft curly brown hair, bright brown eyes, fair skin, and rosy cheeks, smiling happily in Meher's arms. He looked just like her. "Yes", Preet said quietly, "I can see the family resemblance".

"I'll go and freshen him up, and then get dinner started", said Meher. "In the meantime, you guys can talk to each other".

"So", said Manmeet. "Preet...Preet Juneja. We've actually met once before in Ambala, I think. Yes...it was at the Mela. I was there with Meher. Come to think of it...you were following her around there. It was you who was out serenading Meher last night too wasn't it? Do you have any idea what a disturbance you caused?"

"I'm so sorry sir", Preet gulped.

"You woke up the baby. You woke up the entire neighborhood. What were you thinking?" asked Manmeet.

"I'm really sorry", said Preet. "I...I had no idea Meher was..."

"You're lucky no one called the police. And you're damn lucky Meher didn't hit you over the head with something. She can be a real spit fire when she gets her feathers ruffled. I remember the time when I first proposed to her, she hit me with a fork", chuckled Manmeet.

Preet was feeling sick to his stomach. Meher was married. This was not how he had imagined things would turn out. "I think I should go", he said.

"Why don't you stay for dinner?" offered Manmeet. "Meher's a great cook".

"Perhaps another time", said Preet. He quickly turned around and walked out the door.

"Wonder what's gotten into him", said Manmeet.

Damn! Thought Preet. She kept on saying 'No' and I just didn't get it!! Of all the stupid mistakes to make!! Hitting on a married woman!! And here I was getting my hopes up thinking we were in love before the accident...and maybe we could once again...But why didn't Neha bring it up? Why would she? She didn't know my intentions. Meri toh kismat hi kharab hai (What stupid luck I have)! Gaurav, I'm going to kill you!!

Preet got into his car and began to drive away. He had almost made it back to the highway, when he noticed something on the passenger's seat. It was Meher's cell phone. Damn! I'll have to go back, he thought. Preet drove back to Meher's house and rang the bell nervously. How was he going to face her? What if she had told her husband about him holding her hand? He was never going to be able to live this down. What if PB and Heer Bhabi found out? No, he didn't even want to think about that. He was about to ring the bell again, when Manmeet opened the door.

"Oh it's you", said Manmeet. "Kuch aur chahiye Meher se (Did you want something else from Meher)?"

"Yeah...I'm really sorry about that. It was all a big misunderstanding. It won't happen again. I promise", stammered Preet. "Actually I just came by to return your wife's cell phone".

"My wife's cell phone?" Manmeet asked with a raised eyebrow. "Tumhare pass kaise aya (How come you have it)?"

"She accidentally left it in my car when we went for some coffee", said Preet.

"You had coffee with my wife? I thought she was at a book club meeting. Shampa!" Manmeet called out.

"Uff ho! I'm coming! I'm coming!" cried Shampa. She walked into the room adjusting her dupatta. "You know I just got home...theek se kapde bhi nahin change karne diye (you didn't even let me change properly). What's wrong?" She stopped suddenly, surprised to see Preet Juneja standing in her living room.

"Tum Preet Juneja ke saat coffee peenay gayi thi (You went out for coffee with Preet Juneja)?" asked Manmeet. "Yeh kab se shuroo hua hai (When did this all happen)?"

"What?!?" cried Shampa "What are you talking about?"

Preet was confused. Did this guy have two wives? "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause any problems", he said. "I just wanted to return this phone".

Manmeet took the phone from Preet. It was Meher's. "Just a minute", he chuckled. "Meher!"

Meher walked into the room holding Harpreet. "Preet?" she said. "What are you doing back here?"

"Allow me to explain", laughed Manmeet. "Preet, I'd like for you to meet my family. This is Shampa, my wife". He took the baby from Meher. "This is Harpreet, our son. And this is my cousin Meher".

"Cousin?!?" Preet said in surprise.

"Cousin", Manmeet nodded.

"Would someone please care to tell me what's going on?" asked Shampa.

"I'll fill you in", said Manmeet taking his wife to one side. "Um...Meher, won't you ask Preet if he wants to join us for dinner?"

"Preet, would you?" Meher began.

"No, it's alright", smiled Preet. "I think I should go. Heer Bhabi and Prem Bhaiya will be waiting for me". Meher nodded and walked him to his car.

"Well...goodnight", said Meher.

"Good night", said Preet. He surprised Meher by suddenly grabbing her and pulling her into a hug.

Meher's heart skipped a beat. "Preet?" she said.

"Meher thanks", Preet said breathing a sigh of relief.

"For what?" asked Meher.

"For not being taken", smiled Preet.

A few days later...

Meher was attending a lecture at San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art when her phone rang. People seated nearby stared at her, evidently annoyed by the disturbance. Oops, thought Meher, I forgot to put my phone on vibrate mode. She checked the number. It was Preet. "Hello", she whispered discreetly.

"Meher, where are you?" asked Preet.

"I am at the museum of Modern Art, Preet", said Meher.

"Really? What a coincidence I'm there too", said Preet. "Which exhibit?"

"Um...abstract art...Mark Bradford", said Meher.

"I had a meeting in the neighborhood", lied Preet. "Actually, no. I got done early from work and I went by your house. Shampa told me you'd be here. So...here I am. Mind if I join you?"

"Not really. I mean, it's a public place", smiled Meher.

"So", said Preet, "I'm glad you're researching for the hotel project?"

"You're not going to give up on that are you?" said Meher.

"No", said Preet giving her a determined look. "And I'm all yours for the rest of the afternoon so don't bother trying to get rid of me".

"Thanks, I think", laughed Meher. Preet spent the next 2 hours following Meher around the museum. It was the most boring 2 hours he had ever spent in his life, but he didn't care. At least he was with Meher. He watched her study a painting titled Scorched Earth. To him there was nothing scorched about it. I wonder what she sees in it, he thought. I mean, from how many angles can you look at the same thing before going cross-eyed?

"I love how the artist's patterns subtly capture the structure of American life", Meher remarked. "What do you think?"

Preet meanwhile had moved onto a picture named Untitled. "I don't know", he said. "I just see a shoe lying on top of a crumpled piece of paper".

"Uff! I thought you'd never ask!" cried Preet. "I'm starving! The guy at the corner stand sells one mean hot-dog. Chalein?"

Meher followed Preet to the stand, and watched him order 2 cokes and 2 hot dogs with everything on them. She ate quietly as she listened to him chat excitedly about how well his project was going. And how he would love to take her down to the site and show her the progress. She walked with him towards the private parking garage where his car was parked, stopping every now and then to peer into the shops along the way. She smiled at their joint reflection in the store windows, and secretly wished the day would never end. She wasn't disobeying her mother, she tried to convince herself, just bending the rules a little.

A few days later...

"You're late", complained Meher.

"Only by 10 minutes", said Preet. "Besides, we're at a farmers' market shopping for organic vegetables, not running a race, so what's the big deal?"

"Oh really", said Meher. "You obviously don't know how big the crowd gets here. Besides, isn't it like a business motto or something that time is money?"

"Oh God! Can we change the topic? I mean you're beginning to sound like my Bauji", cried Preet.

"Fine!" said Meher. "You're the one who insisted that you join me".

"Well that was because Heer Bhabi was running low on tomatoes", said Preet.

"Didi...I mean, Heer knows you're here with me?" asked Meher.

"No", said Preet. "Actually, I get the feeling she feels uncomfortable every time I mention you, so I just stopped. It's probably those mood swings you get when you're pregnant. Either that or she's jealous. You'll be amazed at how possessive bhabi's can get over their devars. Especially ones as smart, sexy and handsome as me".

"Ha!" Meher laughed out loud. "Come on. Let's go find you some tomatoes".

Soon Preet and Meher were lost in the crowd of the large open air market, taking in the sights and sounds. Preet had never before seen so many aunties gathered in one place...all arguing over produce prices. He watched with surprise at how deft they were at sneaking a grape or two into their mouths right under the vendor's nose. And he watched with amusement at Meher's ability to elbow her way into the crowd and emerge triumphantly with everything on her list...including his tomatoes.

Soon the shopping was done and all the goods paid for, and Preet and Meher got ready to leave. "Here Meher, let me carry your bags for you", Preet offered.

"No Preet, it's okay, I'll manage", said Meher.

"No I insist", said Preet.

Meher smiled and handed her bags to Preet. "Are you sure you can manage them all?" she asked.

"I'm a man Meher", said Preet. "Of course I can manage".

They were about to walk on, when the lady from a nearby flower stall called out to them. "Some flowers sir, for your lovely wife?"

Before Meher could say anything, Preet put his bags down and ran over to the stall. He picked out a single red rose, and then walked back to Meher and held out the flower for her. Preet smiled as he saw Meher's face turn red, as she quietly accepted the rose. "Chalein (Shall we go)?" he said.

A few days later...

"Come on Meher, let's go out somewhere. I haven't seen you for 2 days", complained Preet.

"I'm sorry Preet", said Meher. "Manmeet and Shampa have gone out on a date after so many days. And I'm baby-sitting Harry. I'm going to spend a quiet evening at home with the baby and a movie rental. So, I'm afraid you'll just have to add another day to your wait list".

"Oh yeah? We'll see about that", said Preet.

Meher had just put Harpreet to sleep, when the doorbell rang. Who could that be? She wondered. She went to answer the door, and was surprised to see Preet standing there.

"I've brought over a box of microwave popcorn...extra butter...when does the movie start?" he smiled.

Meher shook her head and let him in. "I haven't started watching yet", she said. "Harry just went to sleep".

"Great", said Preet rubbing his hands together. "What are we watching tonight? Action? Adventure? Horror? Comedy? By the way if it's horror, feel free to grab onto me. I won't mind".

"Actually, I rented The Notebook", chuckled Meher.

"The Notebook?" said Preet. "Isn't that supposed to be some soppy romantic film? Aw come on Meher! I hate sop. I mean isn't life heavy enough?"

"The Notebook it is", sighed Preet. "At least it's in color".

Meher prepared the popcorn, checked on Harpreet once more and then turned off the lights and settled in to watch the movie with Preet. About 20 minutes into the movie Preet pretended to stretch his arms out and then conveniently brought one to rest around Meher's shoulders. "What?" he asked innocently, when he saw her looking at him.

Meher shook her head and smiled. It was a lovely movie. Near the end however, she heard a sniffling sound. She looked over at Preet. It was definitely coming from him. "Preet, are you crying?" she asked in surprise.

"No I'm not", said Preet.

"Yes you are" said Meher.

"No I'm not", said Preet.

"Yes you are", Meher said turning on the lights. "Aww...I think that's so sweet".

"You do? Well...yeah...I mean, what did you expect from a sensitive guy like me?" Preet sniffled. "I just hate it when someone dies in the end".

Just then they heard Harpreet. "Looks like the baby's awake", said Meher.

"What is he crying about?" said Preet. "He didn't even see the movie?"

A few minutes later, Meher returned with Harpreet. "Well, I've changed his diaper. Hopefully he'll take his bottle and go back to sleep", she said. "Preet, will you please watch him while I get his bottle ready?"

"Me?" said Preet. "I don't think so".

"Oh come on Preet, he's very friendly", said Meher. "Besides...don't tell me you've never held a baby before".

"Actually not one this small", said Preet. "In fact, I was away at college when my sister had her kids. By the time I came back they were potty trained and old enough to toss a ball".

"Well then, there's a first time for everything", said Meher, as she propped Harpreet on Preet's lap, and then left to prepare his bottle.

"Hey big guy", said Preet offering Harpreet a weak smile. The toddler giggled in response and promptly reached out and grabbed a hold of Preet's nose. He was still holding on to it when Meher returned. Meher couldn't help but burst out laughing. "If you're done laughing", said Preet, "Do you mind asking him if I can have my nose back?"

Still struggling to control her laughter, Meher tried to take the baby from Preet, but he wouldn't budge. In fact he began to cry. "Oh-O", giggled Meher. "I'm afraid he's taken a liking to you".

Preet had no choice but to put up with tiny fingers wrapped around the tip of his nose, while Harpreet finished his bottle. He then walked around, carrying and rocking him in an effort to put him back to sleep. After about an hour, the baby fell asleep. Preet was exhausted too. Meher carefully took Harpreet from Preet's arms and went to lay him down in the nursery.

When Meher returned, she saw that Preet had fallen asleep on the couch, his mouth left slightly open. She smiled as she quietly sat next to him, reached out and gently closed his mouth, only to have it open again. She was about to push it close again, when Preet suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him so that she fell on him with her arms resting on his chest. He looked into her startled eyes and smiled.

"Sorry Preet", she mumbled nervously. "Woh main'"

"What happened Meher?" Preet whispered. "Tum itna ghabra kyun rahi ho (Why are you so tense)?"

Meher's cheeks turned red. Just then, to her relief, there came the sound of keys turning in the front door. She quickly stood up and began to fidget with her hair in an effort to regain her composure. "I think Shampa and Manmeet are back", she said. "It's getting late. Perhaps you should go".

Great! Thought Preet. In donno ki bhi kya timing hai (What great timing these 2 have). He nodded quietly and got up to go. Meher walked him to the door, just as Shampa and Manmeet were entering. Both exchanged surprised looks at seeing Preet.

Meher watched Preet walk to his car. He turned back to smile and wave at her before he drove off. Meher returned the smile and waved back to him. It wasn't until she closed the door and turned that she realized Shampa had been watching her very closely. She avoided any eye contact with her friend and quickly walked past her, and straight to her room. Once there, she finally allowed the warm glow rising inside her to burst into a smile on her lips. She was sure she wasn't going to get any sleep that night.