Please excuse the spelling and grammatical errors 😳
Part 5:
The lunch dishes were cleared away by the women leaving the men free to retire to the living room. Prem watched as Heer disappeared into the kitchen with her mother and aunts to pack away the leftovers and clean the dishes. He got up with the rest of the men ready to follow them back to the living room. He felt a tap on his shoulder and saw Nihaal motioning with his eyes to follow him. Prem acknowledged and quietly walked behind him to the back yard and up the stairs to the roof top porch. He was beginning to feel uneasy as it was only the two of them. He knew Nihaal for the same number of years as Heer and they had always been on friendly terms. But for some reason he felt Nihaal was exerting his role as the elder brother. He was in protection mode for his little sister. Prem swallowed hard as he looked down from the roof top noticing that from this height should he have an unfortunate accident he would be visiting the hospital morgue. "Nice weather we are having today..." Nihaal stated as he turned around to look at him.
"Yea, nice weather," Prem nodded.
"Are you nervous?" Prem's eyes flexed at his question but he remained silent. "You seem to be a little nervous. Is there are reason for that?"
"Um, no...wh-why would I be nervous?" Prem uneasily chuckled.
"Only if your intentions aren't what they should be," Nihaal answered.
"I love your sister."
"I know...you told us yesterday...and obviously you married her," Nihaal replied. He then sighed looking out at the blue sky above, "I could grill you like some of my uncles who have some doubt on your intentions and all of that...but for me there is only one thing I really care about," looking back at him, "Heer's happiness. She had been really down...during the wedding preparations...you would think someone about to get married would be happy but she wasn't. I couldn't figure out why and of course she wouldn't tell me anything. She and Viren had a decent relationship from what I could tell but obviously it wasn't meant to be. I just have one request from you Prem. Keep her happy."
"I will. It's a promise. Her happiness is all that matters to me as well," Prem simply replied.
Nihaal nodded his head, "You're a good man. I know you will take good care of her. I just needed to hear you say it."
The two turned their attention to the stairs when they heard the soft footsteps of someone walking up to the rooftop porch. "So there you guys are," Heer said as she appeared around the corner steps.
"We were just getting some fresh air. I thought Prem could use a break from all the elders downstairs," Nihaal greeted. He gave Prem a firm pat on the back before he walked towards the stairs. "I'll head back down to keep them occupied." He gave his sister a warm smile and then walked down the stairs.
"So what were you guys talking about?" Heer probed as she curiously walked towards him with her hands crossed behind her back.
"Just how nice the weather is," Prem answered. His eyebrows knitted when she heard her chortle at his comment. "It's the truth."
"He wasn't too hard on you was he?" Heer inquired.
Prem frowned, "Don't believe me?"
"I know my brother," Heer answered. She put her hands around his neck and beamed a smile. Prem couldn't help but smile back and placed has hands around her waist. "I remember when we were fourteen and had that science project..."
"Yeah, we set up the telescope and watched the meteor shower," Prem replied recalling it fondly in his mind. "Hmmm...maybe we should do it again."
"That would be fun. The weather has gotten a little chilly...we can have hot chocolate."
"Now we just need a meteor shower to happen," Prem chuckled.
Heer nodded and then leaned inward looking down at her husband's lips. She watched them slightly purse as they inched forward to connect with hers. The kissing was slow and soft as they took their time relishing in the moment of togetherness. Heer slipped her hand into his silky hair and hummed with pleasure. Prem gently pulled her closer and held her tightly. There was a moment's pause as Heer pulled away and rested her forehead against his. "We should go back downstairs before they start looking for us."
"A few more minutes," Prem pleaded and then captured her lips again.
Heer giggled as she felt him cup her bottom. "Prem...not in public like this..."
"Your neighbors have a habit of spying up here?"
"No, but what if someone from my family comes up here?" Heer replied. She placed her hands on his chest so she could keep him at a distance.
Prem sighed and lowered his head so their noses touched. "I want to go home."
"To your Mom, Dad, Kul Di, Kiran Jiju, Preet, Ketan, and Tanu? Not much privacy..." Heer replied with her eyebrows raised.
"Why are your cousins staying at your apartment again?"
Heer chuckled at his reply. "We will just have to make the most of it."
"I guess so," Prem said.
"Come on," Heer said holding his hand trying to drag him towards the stairs, "Let's go."
"Hey," pulling her back a little. Heer smiled but then saw the pensive look on his face. "I'm sorry for that day. I should have said something instead of being silent for those six months."
"Prem," Heer replied and placed her hand on his cheek, "If anyone should be sorry it should be me. You were right I could have said something to you as well. I thought we had an understanding. But it was my mistake...and I'm sure hearing about Viren and I talking again was sending the wrong signals. I want you to know that nothing happened between Viren and I. You are the only man I want to spend the rest of my life with."
"We both probably could have handled it a lot better than we did. But I won't take your apology..." making her eyes widen, "instead I want a lifetime of kisses."
"That can most definitely be arranged," Heer giggled as she gave him a tender kiss. When they broke apart Prem held her hand and began walking down the stairs with her. "Oh, I totally forgot," stopping in mid stride forcing him to stop as well, "You will never guess what I found out."
"What?"
"Meher and Preet exchanged phone numbers," Heer excitedly gossiped.
"Really? I thought Meher hated Preet," Prem mused.
"You know Preet hasn't exactly been the nicest to her either," Heer defended.
"We can both agree that they never really shared a fondness for each other. What changed?" Prem inquired.
"I'm not sure. I guess they mended the fence? Decided to become friends?" Heer reasoned.
"So they exchanged phone numbers, huh? And he didn't say anything to me."
"Well, neither did Meher. I happened to catch her talking on the phone with him a few minutes ago when I was looking for you and Nihaal," Heer explained.
Prem smirked, "Heh, I'm definitely going to be having a little chat with him about this."
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When they arrived downstairs Heer was immediately whisked away from Prem's side to speak with some family members. Prem rubbed the back of his neck feeling nervous as he was alone again with the men of the household. He looked up in surprise when he saw his father-in-law coming towards him. "Prem, a moment," he simply stated. He nodded his head and followed Balraaj into the office and closed the door behind him.
"We didn't get to talk much during the wedding," Balraaj stated as he turned around to face him. "I've known you since you were eleven years old," smiling fondly, "You love the strawberry short cake Tej makes...in fact any cake...probably explains why you were here so often." Prem gave a timid smile. "You've grown up to be a very responsible man. Your father tells me you send home a check every month to your sister?"
"It's not much just something for her children...Ketan and Tanu...a bank fund for their education. I am their uncle." Balraaj nodded with approval. Prem glanced downward and then back up at him, "I know you must be wondering about how all this happened. I can't really explain. But I want you to know that I love your daughter. I will take good care of her. I promise you this."
Balraaj crossed his arms across his chest and nodded. "If you don't you know you will have to answer to me."
"Yes sir," Prem replied.
Balraaj placed his hand on his shoulder and gave a firm grip, "In the meantime don't worry. I won't give you a hard time. Your mother-in-law is particularly fond of you. She won't allow me to hurt you." Prem's eyes went wide with alarm. "Relax...just joking...welcome to the family son." Prem smiled and walked out of the office with his father-in-law by his side.
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Small slender fingers curled comfortably around a bigger yet graceful set as feet walked slowly down the park pathway. Her dark black hair was tied up on each side of her head with pink ribbons. Her outfit was a simple pink sundress with white shoes. "Can we having pizza for dinner?"
"I don't see why not," Heer replied with a gentle smile.
"Yay! Can we have ice cream too?"
"I think we ran out," frowning a bit, "We'll have to go get some," Heer mused.
"Vanilla...Bhaiya loves vanilla." Her eyes suddenly grew wide with delight as her mouth curled upward into a beautiful smile; a perfect mirror to her mother's. She let go of Heer's hand and raced down the walk way into a pair of strong arms.
Prem beamed a grin as he effortless picked her up into his arms. "How's my princess doing today?"
"Great! The park was a lot of fun," giggling merrily away. "I got to pet a dog! If Bhaiya was here he'd run with them."
"He would," Prem chuckled. He adjusted her weight on his arm and looked towards his wife. She was wearing a lilac spaghetti strapped dress with a white shrug and white sandals. "Hey..." he smirked as he gave her sideways hug and peck on the lips.
"You're late," Heer replied.
"Sorry...office matters," he apologized. "But now that I am here I think we should go get some ice cream!"
"Yay! Ice Cream!"
"Who's the best?" Prem asked with cocky confidence.
"Heer Mami!" Prem's eyes flexed in surprise, while Heer chortled at the response her niece gave. "Mami said we could go get ice cream."
"Oh, did she now?" Prem asked raising his eyebrows.
"We don't have any ice cream at the house. You know how the kids love it. Tanu wants to get Vanilla...it's Ketan's favorite," Heer explained. Prem nodded and glanced at his watch. "They should be back from the doctor's soon."
"Yea, I think we have time to swing by and grab some ice cream at the store. Should we get pizza too?" Prem asked.
"Wow Mamu...you and Mami think alike," Tanu giggled.
"We do?" he inquired as he tickled her tummy making her squirm with laughter.
"Yes...heheheheheh..."
"She asked if we could have pizza for dinner tonight," Heer explained.
"We do think alike," Prem grinned. "Let's go to the store. Should we get frozen pizzas or get them delivered?"
"It may be easier to have them delivered. We only have one oven. We will probably need at least two pizzas. You and Kiran Juji could polish off one by yourselves. Anyways, I have coupons for Pizza Hut."
"Sounds great," Prem replied and tenderly placed his niece back down onto the ground. He loosened his tie and took Tanu's hand into his. Heer took her other hand into hers and they walked carefree and happily out of the park.
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Kulraj walked to the sink with a pile of dirty dinner plates and placed them on the side of the sink. "Thank you so much for watching Tanu."
"No need to thank me. We're family," Heer smiled.
"I'm glad Ketan's out of the wheelchair. The first week when he broke his leg it was actually a good thing. But by the third week he was getting fidgety. Now that he's on crutches he will be able to move around a lot more...which I guess is a good thing," Kulraj replied. Heer nodded and started to pick up the dinner plates so she could wash them. "No, no, no...I'll do these. You dry." Heer grabbed a soft kitchen towel and began drying the clean dishes. "So, have you and Prem been putting any thoughts towards starting..."
"A family?" Heer finished for her. "We've been talking about it. I know everyone has been waiting...they thought after two years but we really wanted more time to ourselves...I mean we were only 25 when we got married...and now we're headed into our fourth year together. I don't know...am I...are we ready to be good parents?"
Kulraj chuckled, "I don't think anyone is truly ready...you can plan all you want but kids...they are unpredictable...believe me...Kiran and I we've been through some times."
The two women turned towards the doorway when they heard a soft voice. "Mom, Dad wants to know if we can have apple pie with the ice cream."
"Apple pie?" Kulraj repeated.
"The neighbors came by and gave it to us. Mrs. White bakes a lot so she sometimes drops things off for us," Heer explained.
"I see. My glutton of a husband...ice cream and apple pie."
"Apple pie does go great with vanilla ice cream," Heer reasoned.
"Vanilla ice cream?" Ketan exclaimed. "That's my favorite."
"That's why we got it," Heer smiled.
"Mom, can I have some water?"
Heer placed her hand on her sister-in-law's shoulder, "It's okay I'll help him." Heer walked to the cupboard and got out a plastic cup and filled it with ice cold water, "Here you go sweetie," ruffling his hair.
Ketan slowly drink the water and then passed the cup back, "Thanks Mami." He was about to walk away when Heer stooped down and motioned for him to come closer. His eyes went wide when he saw what she put in his hand. A mini sized Cadbury chocolate.
She placed her finger to her lips and shook her head. "Between you and me," she whispered. "Don't let Prem Mamu know."
Ketan nodded knowing how much his uncle loved chocolate. "Thanks Mami," he said quietly and then gave her a kiss on the check.
Heer grinned and then motioned that he could go. She walked back to the sink and picked up another plate to dry. "That was very sweet of you."
Heer's eyes looked on with a guilty look. "You don't mind do you?"
"It's fine. He's been very good about his sweets," bumping her shoulder, "And here you are worrying about being a mother. You're good with kids."
"It's only thing to be good with children and other to be a parent of one," Heer sighed.
"Don't put so much pressure on yourself," Kulraj encouraged. "No one is perfect. You don't think our mothers didn't accidently dropped us one time when were little? Or lost us at the grocery store? You will do fine. You and Prem both will."
"You think?" Heer repeated.
"I know so," Kulraj firmly stated.
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Prem and Heer waved goodbye to Kiran, Kulraj, and their kids as the silver Infiniti JX slowly backed out of their driveway and drove down the road. Prem closed the door and hooked the door chain into place. He turned around to see Heer picking up some left over cups sitting in the living room. He followed her into the kitchen taking with him some dessert plates. "Dinner was fun."
"It was. I'm so glad Ketan is out of that wheelchair. He seems to be doing a lot better now," Heer said.
"Yeah, he's getting a hang of using the crutches. But it will be some time before he's fully recovered," Prem stated. He took the glasses she had just finished washing and dried them with the dish towel. "What's up?"
"Huh?"
"You have that thinking look. I know you long enough to know when you're deep in thought about something," Prem answered.
"I know we've been talking about this a lot lately," turning off the faucet, "And I think it's time," raising her eyes to look at him, "I want this. I really do."
Prem grinned and handed her a towel to wipe her wet hands with. He gingerly tucked her hair behind her ear and caressed her cheek. "I want this too. Have ourselves a Choti Heer..."
"Chota Prem..." Heer corrected.
"I want both," Prem replied with a gently half grin. He leaned forward and delicately brushed his nose against hers before he captured her lips. Heer dropped the towel she was holding and wrapped her arms around his back pulling him inward towards her. Their lips collided in a rhythmic fashion as their tongues danced sensually with one another. When the kiss naturally broke Prem smirked at seeing Heer giving him bedroom eyes.
She leaned forward and whispered against his ear, "Let's go have some fun." She followed her remark with a playful pat on his butt making his eyes flex with surprise.
"You are simply amazing Mrs. Juneja," Prem replied as he swiftly swept her off her feet.
"I know. That's one of the many reasons why you love me."
"Yes, it is," Prem answered and carried her up the stairs to their bedroom.
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Prem fidgeted with his hands unable to keep still. He never thought waiting 15 minutes could be so tortuous. He glanced up at the clock and frowned that only 8 minutes had passed. "Prem..." he turned and saw the concern and anxious look of his wife. Her hand was resting against his thigh trying to calm his nerves. "It feels like an eternity Heer."
"I know but we have to wait. The instruction on the box said so."
They had been trying for the past four months to get pregnant. The first month wasn't possible because Heer had just gotten off of birth control. Her body had to have time to adjust to its own natural cycle. She had received positive marks on her check up with the doctor so their minds were at ease with that fact. However, they noticed that their desire to become parents had increased as the days progressed. They tried not to pressure themselves because they knew it could take them some time but it was still a hard thing to shake.
Prem exhaled and took her hand into his, "Whatever happens..."
"Positive thoughts Prem...positive thoughts..." Heer stated.
Several minutes later Heer walked back into the bathroom to check on the pregnancy test. Prem stood up from the bed and walked half way towards the bathroom before stopping. He felt like he needed to wait and let her see the results first. His eyes flexed with concern when she walked back with her head looking downward. "Heer?" His heart thumped loudly in his chest when he saw her watery eyes and her hands covering her face as if she was ashamed of the results. He quickly walked over to comfort her. "It's okay Heer. We can keep trying. Maybe I should go to the doctor. There is always in vitro." He hugged her to him and rubbed her back.
"It's going to be all right. It's going to be okay." Heer shook her head as she buried her head into his shoulder. "Sweetheart please..." She pulled back and gave him the stick to look at. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion but then relaxed. He looked back at his wife and realized the tears she had in her eyes were one of joy. She had been joking with him, but a part of him still needed her confirmation so he inquired, "Heer? We're parents?"
"Haan Prem," nodding her head as joyful tears rolled down her cheek, "We are."
"We are? We are...We are!" He lifted her up and spun her around in joy. "We're going to be parents! This is great...this is unbelievably awesome!"
Heer giggled at his response and rested her forehead against his, "Congratulations Papa Prem."
"Congratulations Mama Heer," he replied with a bright smile. He gave her a thankful kiss and then enveloped her into a hug. After they broke apart he shook his head at her sighing, "You had to play that joke on me like that? You know how panicked I was?"
"You were so stressed. I thought I surprise you...made my announcement a lot sweeter didn't it?" Heer inquired.
"Yes, it did but still..." shaking his head at her.
"I won't do it again," Heer promised. She curled into his shoulder and let out a relaxed breath. "I was worried about the results. I never thought I could want something so badly...I was trying to mentally prepare myself for the worst. But then I didn't have to."
"Instead you decided to give me a heart attack," Prem replied with a frown.
"I'm sorry."
He placed a tender kiss on her forehead, "Now you have to give me a Choti Heer."
"Prem, I can't control that."
"No, you have to give me a Choti Heer," Prem pouted. "I don't care. I want a Choti Heer."
"And if I give you a Chota Prem?"
"Then you have to give me a Choti Heer next time. I won't settle for anything less...we will just have to keep trying until my beti comes," he stated firmly. Heer grinned at his insistence and snuggled against him even more. "So when should we tell the family?"
"I think not until I go to the doctor to confirm the results. You know just in case. I think it should be between you and me for now."
"I think that is a good idea. I kind of like it...you and me...our little secret," placing his hand on her stomach, "Our little miracle."
Heer nodded and placed her hand over his, "Our little miracle."
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Prem sighed as he placed his hand on his cheek and stared at the nuts and bolts and pieces of wood scattered about the floor of the second bedroom. Everything looked simple enough on the box. How hard could it be to put a baby crib together? The answer to that question was it looks deceivingly easy but is actually quiet complicated. He looked up when he saw the door open and Preet walking through the door with Ginger following behind. Prem rubbed his dog's head and greeted his cousin, "Hey."
"I have come to assist you," Preet answered.
"They are talking about shopping...and are gossiping, aren't they?"
Preet nodded, "I don't understand how they can get so excited over purses and shoes. Meher gets all giddy when she sees sale signs. She absolutely has to go inside and check it out...and text everyone she knows about it. "
"That is just the way they are. Heer isn't any different. Explains why they are best friends," Prem replied. "Here," handing him the instructions, "Tell me does this make any sense?"
Preet quickly read the information and then scratched his head, "Looks complicated. Part B goes into Part D but Part C and A need to be put on first? What the kind of crap directions are these?"
"I don't know," Prem sighed. "It's one of the best baby cribs out there."
"The store didn't have a service to put it together for you when they delivered it?"
"They did but it was expensive. I thought I could put it together myself," Prem replied.
Preet took off his black hoodie and hung it over the computer chair. He sat down next to Prem and stated, "Well, let's do this then."
Thirty minutes later, the base of the baby crib had been successfully completed. But there was still a lot parts left to go. "So, you and Meher have been dating for a while...any thoughts?" Prem gently probed.
"Oh man, not you too? I would think you would be the last person to say anything to me about this," Preet whined. "They put you up to this didn't they? Did you really need my help putting this crib together?"
"I'm only one person Preet. Heer wanted to help but I didn't want her to left anything heavy," Prem explained. "I'm just asking cause I'm curious that is all. Your Mom and Dad are getting a bit antsy. You've been dating for three years now."
"You know I would like to know who dictated that once you pass two years you are suppose to get married? Our relationship is perfectly healthy and fine...we like where we are."
"I don't know. It's just that magic number I guess," Prem replied.
"Why didn't anyone say anything to you? You and Heer knew each for 15 years."
"We were also kids back then and I didn't tell her I loved her until she was about get married to other guy," Prem stated. "We never dated. But I knew I wanted to be with her for the rest of my life...as a friend or if I was lucky more than her friend. "
"So you would have asked her to marry you if you two had been dating back in college?" Preet inquired.
"Possibly...little young as a sophomore to get married...but I think we would have a conversation about our relationship. I would have proposed to her senior year," Prem reasoned. "Look, you either know or you don't. And I guess by year two of dating if you can't see yourself with that person in the long haul then what's the point of continuing the relationship? All you would be doing is stringing the other person along."
"I'm not stringing Meher along," Preet defended. "I like where we are a...and I don't see why we have to define our relationship over these arbitrary customs or thoughts that other people have. I love her and she loves me. What more do they want?"
"Hey man, I was just asking," Prem replied with his hands up in air showing his innocence. "If you guys are happy with the way things are going then it doesn't really matter what other people think. Everyone is entitled to have their own relationship and define their own sets of rules...when they want to become exclusive, get married, or have children."
"Sorry for yelling at you. It's just...getting to be really annoying...I mean after marriage everyone expects you to have children...then they start comparing your children with other people's children...oh so and so's kid got straight A's...he won the Science Fair...she's got a perfect score on her SATs...she's going to Harvard...he's going to Yale..."
"Yeah, I know...it's just the way it is unfortunately," Prem sighed. He then glanced down at the instructions so they could get back on track to what they were doing, "Hand me that little knobby thing over there...I think that hooks to part X..."
"No, I think that is part AA...you want this other thing," Preet replied and handed him an oblong shaped piece of metal."
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Heer stretched her back feeling the tension in her muscles release before she got up from bed. Still in a sleepy haze she made her way into the bathroom to start her morning routine. She used the toilet and then washed her hands before grabbing her toothbrush to brush her teeth. Her eyes took in her reflection in the mirror making her wonder how little had changed since she had found out she was pregnant. She was now in her third month and her stomach wasn't showing. She had read that each person and pregnancy could be different and there wasn't an exact time frame before the baby bump would come, but she was eager to see hers form. She sighed and stood back from the counter and turned to the side to check her stomach. Flat. Her ears perked to the sound of her husband waking up from the bed and his heavy footsteps walking to the bathroom. He sleepily entered and mumbled a morning greeting before he went to relieve himself. Heer finished brushing her teeth and splashed her face with warm water before grabbing her face towel to wipe her face. She felt a pair of damp hands wrap themselves around her waist making her exclaim, "Prem, use a towel not my shirt."
"I washed my hands and wiped my hands on my towel."
"Not well enough," Heer whined.
"Sorry sweetheart," he replied and gave her a kiss on the neck. Heer gave a warm half grin at the way Prem was snuggling into her shoulder. He was still groggy and his hair was a ruffled mess. She felt him place his hand on her stomach and gently rub. "Papa says good morning to you too...my little one."
"My baby bump hasn't formed yet."
Hearing the pout in her voice Prem soothed, "Don't worry it will come." Heer titled her head so it was resting against his and gave a half smile. "Go take your shower. Don't want you to be late for work." Heer nodded and walked towards the shower.
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Heer walked down the stairs and was happily greeted by Ginger in the kitchen. She wagged her tail excitedly making Heer smile and bend down to give her a good rub down. Heer's hair was still slightly damp as she had only gently blow dried it. She was wearing a light blue dress shirt with a pencil skirt. She could smell the fresh coffee brewing and grinned at her husband still in his pajamas cooking eggs on the stove.
"Ginger," Prem called as he opened the oven door. The smell of turkey bacon instantly filled the room. Prem pulled the tray out of the oven and broke off a small piece of bacon to feed his dog.
"Prem, you shouldn't feed her like that. And that bacon was hot she probably burnt her tongue," Heer chided.
"It's just a little treat," Prem defended as he patted Ginger's head. "Mom is being mean today, isn't she?"
"Prem..." Heer sighed. "Go upstairs and take a shower. I'll handle the rest."
As he walked passed his wife he reach out with his arm and hooked her waist bringing her into his body. "Sorry, Sweetheart. You know I was just joking." He had forgotten since her pregnancy her temperament had changed causing her to become more sensitive to the things he said or did.
"I know."
Prem kissed her earlobe and then turned her around so he could capture her lips. Heer wrapped her arms around his neck enjoying the morning affections. "I love you," Prem whispered when he broke the kiss.
"I know." Prem grinned and leaned inward again eager to continue their morning makeout session.
"Prem, you are going to be late." Heer warned between kisses.
"Maybe we should just call in sick?" making Heer giggle at the thought. "Okay," Prem sighed as he felt her place her hands on his chest gently pushing him away. "I'll be back." Just as he was about to leave the house phone started to ring. "Wonder who it is," he uttered as he went to pick the phone up. "Oh it's Ma," Prem announced. "Hello, Ma? Anything wrong?"
"Nothing wrong Beta. Is Heer there?"
"Um, yea," Prem replied and then handed the phone to his wife, "Ma wants to talk to you."
Heer nodded and turned off the stove moving the pan of scrambled eggs to a cool burner. "Hello?" she answered.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay. I'm glad the morning sickness has calm down a lot," Heer replied.
"That's good to hear. Your Bauji has been invited to attend this function. It just found out about it today. He had the invitation in his suit pocket for over a week. I swear that man...Prem does it too doesn't he?"
"Haan, he does. I find things there all the time," Heer replied giving a quick glance at her husband.
"You don't have to say yes. I just wanted you to know if it was possible for you and Prem to also attend. It's a family business gathering at the firm. Supposedly Bauji is nominated for an award. If you aren't feeling up to it then you don't have to come."
"No, of course we will come. Bauji was nominated. We can't miss that," Heer stated.
"Are you sure? I know how tiring it can get...with work and the baby."
"I'll be fine. If I absolutely cannot go I'll send Prem. He should be there to see Bauji get his award," Heer reassured.
"Okay. But, if you feel even slightly tired I want you to stay home," Gayatri informed.
"Ji Ma...I will," Heer replied.
"Okay, I need to find something to wear. I'll see you later tonight. I will text Prem the address. The function starts at 7:00 but that is just cocktail hour. The actual dinner and awards ceremony starts at 8:00."
"Okay Ma, bye," Heer said and hung up the phone.
Prem looked at his wife wondering what was going on. "Bauji has an awards function to go to. He has been nominated for an award. Ma just found out about it because he had stuck the invitation in his suit pocket and forgotten about it. The function starts at 7:00. Ma will text you the address."
"Okay," Prem nodded. "Guess I'll wear my gray suit."
"Wear your black one," Heer instructed. "You look incredibly sexy in that one," putting her hand on his chest in a loving manner. Prem's eyebrows rose at her comment but then lowered as a smirk formed along his lips. "Go take a shower."
Prem gave her a quick kiss and then stated, "I'll be back in a few."
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Prem hurriedly put on his black tie and then scrambled around the room looking for his socks. "Heer where are the socks?"
"I put them on the dresser," she replied from the bathroom.
"I don't know if we are going to make it in time," Prem said checking his watch.
"Cocktails start at 7:00. We have some time," Heer replied.
"It's 7:10 now."
"What it is?" Heer exclaimed as she came out of the bathroom trying to put on her left earring. She had on a strapless black dress that reached down just above her knees. "I thought it was 6:50 at least."
"No, it's 7:10," Prem stated.
"Oh, we better hurry then," Heer stated. I just need to get my shoes.
"Hey," Prem said pulling her arm. "You look beautiful."
"Thanks. I don't know when I'll be able to wear this dress again so I thought I wear it tonight."
"Great choice," Prem replied and gave her a tender kiss.
Heer grinned as she was pulled closer towards him. "Prem, we're going to be late."
"Oh yea," Prem sheepishly replied and let go.
Within a few minutes they were in the car backing out of the driveway. "Don't rush. I know we want to make it on time but be careful."
"I am careful," Prem answered.
"Prem!" The car immediately jerked to a stop and Prem looked at his wife. "Neighbors walking."
He glanced diagonally through the back seat window and saw two people on the sidewalk making their way across their outer driveway. "They were fifteen feet away Heer."
"But still they were walking towards us." Prem waited patiently for the neighbors to pass before he pulled out into the street and began driving to their destination.
Prem checked the clock on the dashboard and frowned it was already 7:35pm. He stared out in front of him wondering why there was so much traffic at this time of night all of a sudden. "What do you think is going on up front?"
"I don't know," Heer sighed. "Maybe there was a traffic accident? I'm going to call Ma and let her know we are going to be late. With this much traffic I don't think we are going to make it there on time." As she was dialing she saw her husband begin to turn the car. "Hello Ma? I'm so sorry. Prem and I are stuck in traffic. I think there was an accident. We are going to be late."
"It's okay Dear. You and Prem be safe. Take your time," Gayatri replied.
"Okay, see you soon," Heer said and then hung up the phone. "Prem, what are you doing?"
"I'm trying to get to the left turn lane and turn out of here. It's a short cut. We can probably cut across and hit the main road from there."
"Ma says to be careful. It's okay if we are late," Heer explained.
"I understand but we can't be that late. It's one thing to be fashionably late and the other to be extremely late," Prem replied. "I don't want to miss Bauji's award...what if he wins?"
"I know Prem but don't rush."
"I know," he replied and made a quick left onto a side street. He followed the traffic down the road. A few streets down, the cars started to separate and the road congestion thinned. He smirked to himself, "See...now we just need to make a...right...and then a left and we should be on the main road again." Prem saw the light turn green at the upcoming stoplight and continued to drive at the speed he was going. Just as he made his right turn, he caught out of the corner of his eye a truck driving straight for them. It had run the red light. Prem tried his best to turn the car so the truck wouldn't hit them but it was too late. Impact was felt as the truck slammed into the left back passenger side of the vehicle. Everything was spinning out of control because of the force and angle of how they were hit. The car eventually landed on the sidewalk with the right side slamming into a street lamp. The airbags deployed and the last words coming from Prem's mouth was, "Heer..."
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