Fatima's Cozy Corner - Page 17

oh great yaar

u know what i just cant wait for it now

i am already smiling and excited for it

hey but wait u said on meet anniversary but i dont know when is it

could u tell me the date

It's on December 2...don't worry...I'll PM you...😃

And I'm trying to come up with something very interesting soon after that too...😃 😃 😃

Thanks Athisda...but this one has to be the sweetest...and my favorite 😉

By the way...Happy Diwaali to you and your family...and to all of my readers. 😃

oooh new stuff coming up *rubbing hands and waiting patiently*

Read your Meet SS: She's Having A Baby! <3

It's FABULOUS man! :D

I loved how you showed Preet's transition <3 :D

And oh, him introducing himself to the kid. That just brought a smile on my face :D

I loved each and every bit of the entire story. Hats off! ^_^

Now, I'm really excited and eager to read your next SS! :D

Thanks Archana...and welcome to my little world of Meet...🤗

Guess what...Today is Meet's wedding anniversary.

If you haven't already done so, please visit the celebration thread at the following link...

And the best part is, I'm posting it all at once so...no waiting for PMs.

I hope you enjoy it.

"Hi Kishan", said Heer. "I came by to drop Gungun home".

"Memsaab uppar hai", said Kishan.

"That's okay", said Heer, "I'm in a bit of a hurry, so I'll speak to her on the phone later. Take care Gungun".

"Bye Heer Maasi, and thanks", said Gungun.

8 year old Gungun Juneja walked into the house, with her favorite doll tucked under her arm. The slightly plump little girl, with bouncy black hair, big brown eyes, and a beautiful smile had spent the morning at her cousin Chahat's house. They had finished watching all of her favorite Saturday morning cartoons, and even had a pretend brunch with Winnie the Pooh, Strawberry Shortcake, Barbie and Ken.

But now she was home and needed something new to do. Her first instinct was to try and locate her father. He was the fun one. He gave her piggy-back rides, took her to the ice cream parlor in January, and even let her and her brother have chocolate chip cookies and milk for breakfast, when their mother was sick. Of course there were somethings he wasn't very good at. He hated the sight of blood, especially his children's, so he would perform first aid with only one eye open. That usually meant his bandages wound up being lopsided. He hated doctor's visits, so she had to make sure to hold his hand and reassure him whenever she had to get an injection. And he wasn't very good at making pony tails either. After the last time he got the hairbrush badly tangled in her hair, that had officially become mom's department.

Gungun checked the living room and kitchen, two of her dad's favorite hangouts, but no one was there. She went upstairs and heard sounds coming from her parents' room. Sure enough, her mother was there sorting things out in the large walk-in closet. Her mom wasn't as crazy as her father, but she was definitely one of the most intelligent and creative people she knew. And she wanted to grow up to be just like her.

"Hi Mom!" said Gungun.

"Hi sweetie!" said Meher. She took a break from her work to hug her daughter and give her a kiss on her cheek. "Did you have fun with Chahat?"

"Mom, we always have fun together", giggled Gungun. "Um...Heer Maasi had to run, but she said she'd call you".

"Oh...okay", said Meher. She got up and went back to sorting things out in the closet.

"What are you doing?" asked Gungun

"Well you know how cold it gets in Chicago", said Meher. "So...I was just taking out some more of the winter stuff and putting away the summer things. I'll come to your's and Krish's room later and take out some stuff for you guys too. Speaking of which, do you mind going and checking on your little brother for me. He was in here trying to help me, but I guess he got bored, so he went off to his room a little while ago. He's being awfully quiet though".

"Sure", smiled Gungun.

"Thanks", said Meher. "I'll be done in like half-an-hour. Then we'll go down together and make sandwiches for lunch. Okay?"

"Okay", agreed Gungun, as she walked out of her parents' room and down the hall to her brother's room.

6 year old Krish Juneja, was a pretty good brother, decided Gungun. A good looking boy with straight jet black hair, he was taller and more sensible than most boys his age, a trait he obviously picked up from his dad. Well...at least the height and good looks part, thought Gungun. He loved to read, and was pretty good at it considering he only learned to do so last year. He also loved to build things, whether it was with Lego, K'nex or even building blocks. He easily finished kits that were designed for children much older than him, and Mom never had to worry about him swallowing any of the pieces. He also loved watching sports with his father. Baseball, basketball, football, cricket...as long as it involved a ball, the father and son duo loved it. Typical boy stuff, thought Gungun. Nothing like the wonderful tea parties she and Mom would have with her dolls. But the best thing about Krish was that he would always obey his older sister.

Gungun walked into Krish's room and found him lying on his bed apparently engrossed in a book. "What are you up to Krish?" she asked, as she climbed up on the bed and sat next to her brother.

"Di...I found this while Mom was cleaning out the closet", explained Krish. He pointed to an old photo album, and slid it over slightly so his sister could get a better look. "It's Mom and Dad when they were little. I've seen some of their younger pictures at Nani and Dadu's house. But I don't think I've ever seen these".

"I think you're right Krish", remarked Gungun. "I never knew Mom kept an album other than the one from her and Dad's wedding".

"I don't know", said Krish. "Maybe they didn't have computers back then".

"It's pretty worn out too. Like it hasn't seen the sun in ages. Hey Krish! I've got an idea", said Gungun, brightening up suddenly.

"What?" asked Krish.

"Well, you know Mom and Dad's wedding anniversary is coming up next week...right?" said Gungun. Krish nodded. "Maybe we can give these pictures to them as a wedding gift. You know, sort of like a trip down memory lane".

"You just don't want to break your piggy bank", laughed Krish.

"That's not so!" protested Gungun. "I'm just trying to be creative like Mom. You know she always says you don't have to buy people expensive gifts to make them happy. It's the thought that counts. Come on we'll need Heer Maasi's help, but it'll be a great present, I just know it".

One week later...

Preet glanced over at the alarm clock. There was still an hour before it was set to go off. It was Sunday so he was allowed an extra 2 hours of sleep today. But this was no ordinary Sunday. He quietly switched the alarm clock off and then looked over to his better half, his wife, Meher. She looked so at peace, fast asleep all snuggled up in their white down comforter, almost angelic. I really should let her sleep, thought Preet, as a mischievious grin spread over his face, But then again...

Preet scooted over to to where Meher lay and pressed his body against hers, while with his mouth he nibbled at the delicate shell of her ear. "Meher", he whispered, "Meher wake up".

Meher's eyes fluttered open just as she felt her husband's strong arms wrap around her waist pulling her closer to him. "Mmm", whined Meher. "Preet...please...sonay do na. Abhi to alarm bhi nahi baja".

"I know", grinned Preet, as he kissed Meher behind her ear, "but I can think of plenty of ways to spend the next hour...and none of them involve sleeping".

"Preet!" giggled Meher as she turned to face him. "What's gotten into you this morning?"

"Well you see Mrs Meher Juneja", said Preet, "this is no ordinary morning. It's not even any ordinary Sunday. It's the 2^nd of December. And on this very special day, not too long ago, I made the very wise decision of tying the knot with you".

"Oh I see", smiled Meher, "So you remember that today's our anniversary".

"How could I forget?" chuckled Preet. "I mean you've circled this day in big, bold, red marker on every single calendar we have. You even had Nancy circle it on the ones at work. The only thing lacking was sticking a post-it note on my forehead as a reminder. So...um...Happy Anniversary".

"Happy Anniversary to you too Preet", smiled Meher, as she kissed him lovingly on the cheek, then promptly turned back to go back to sleep.

"That's it?" Preet asked, with tinge of disappointment in his voice.

"Well...what else did you have in mind?" Meher asked teasingly.

Preet slid one arm under her waist again and in one quick motion turned her to face him. "You really want to know?" he asked. With his free hand he brushed back the stray strands of hair from her eyes, and tucked them behind her ear, letting his hand gently caress her cheek on its way down to her chin.

Meher stared into his bright brown eyes, full of mischief, and blushed a deep pink. His nearness alone was beginning to drive her to distraction, so how could she find the strength to resist him? Just then he leaned in close and whispered "I love you Meher". Meher gasped as Preet kissed her passionately, all the while pulling her body closer in a tight embrace against his own. Lost in the moment herself, she wrapped her arms around him, and allowed him to slowly work his way down her neck. That's when she heard a sound.

"Preet!" She said. "Preet ek minute. Did you hear that?"

"No Meher", whispered Preet. "I didn't hear anything". He was about to kiss her again when she stopped him.

"Preet, no really...I mean it", insisted Meher. "I heard a noise. It's coming from downstairs".

Preet raised his head and listened for a moment. Sure enough the silence was disturbed by low but audible Thud! "I think you're right", said Preet sitting up.

"You don't think someone's trying to break in do you?" asked Meher.

"Great!" sighed Preet. "Chor ko bhi yahi waqt milla tha break-in karne ke liye".

"Preet be serious!" said Meher. Just then there was some more noise.

"Okay look...don't panic. I'll go and have a look", said Preet. He quickly pulled his robe on and headed for the door.

"Preet wait!" said Meher. She too pulled her robe on and ran to the closet to grab his baseball bat. "I'm coming with you".

Preet and Meher tip-toed down-stairs and looked around. Everything seemed normal. Just then they heard noises coming from the kitchen.

"Looks like we've got a hungry thief", whispered Preet.

"Maybe there's more than one", Meher whispered back.

"Meher, I want you to stay here", Preet said, as he took the bat from her hands.

"Becareful Preet", she said.

Preet walked over to the kitchen door as noiselessly as he could, and peaked inside, ready to pulverize anyone who came in his way. But the sight before him not only surprised him, but also brought a smile to his face. He put a finger on his lips and motioned for Meher to join him. Meher's face also brightened with delight as she saw the spectacle before her. It was Gungun and Krish.

"Okay Krish, the toast is all ready, and I've got the juice, milk, and butter out. You go get the breakfast tray", Gungun instructed her younger brother. Krish ran and got the tray, and then stepped back as his sister carefully placed everything on it.

"That looks kind of heavy", said Krish, scratching his head. "How are we going to carry it up the stairs without spilling everything?"

"It won't be that heavy if you hold it from one end and I hold it from the other", explained Gungun. "We'll just have to go upstairs slowly".

"Right", nodded Krish. "Ek minute Di". He ran to the study and brought back a single red rose, which he placed on the tray.

"Nice touch", remarked Gungun.

"Thanks", smiled Krish.

"But where did you get the rose from?" asked Gungun.

"Oh that", said Krish. "I saw daddy hide a whole bunch of them in the study last night, along with mom's gift. But there are so many of them, I'm sure he won't miss one".

"That's my boy", Preet chuckled under his breath. "So much for my surprise".

"Aww Preet, that was so sweet of you", Meher whispered, as she gave him a hug. "Oh look...they're coming". She took Preet's hand and quietly led him back up the stairs to their room. "Come on...hurry up", urged Meher, as she slipped back into the bed. "We can't spoil their surprise. Just pretend to be asleep".

"Right", said Preet. He pulled the covers up under his chin closed his eyes and began to make loud snoring sounds.

"Uff ho Preet! Over-acting mat karo!" said Meher.

Just then the bedroom door opened, and Krish and Gungun came running into the room.

"Surprise!!" They yelled simultaneously. "Happy anniversary!!"

"Oh wow!" said Preet, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. "Look Meher it's the kids! I am so surprised!"

"Thank you sweetie", said Meher as she and Preet exchanged hugs with the children. "I can't believe you guys remembered our anniversary".

"Come on Mom", said Krish, "you had this day circled in big, bold, red marker on every single calendar we have. The only thing lacking was a post-it note on our foreheads".

"That's my boy", laughed Preet as he exchanged hi-5s with Krish.

"Ha Ha! Very funny!" said Meher.

"Um...Meher...the kids must be hungry. How about we fix them some 'breakfast'", said Preet winking at Meher.

Meher shook her head. Uff! Preet and his over-acting!

"You don't have to go downstairs daddy", smiled Gungun. "We brought up a tray so that we could all have breakfast in your bed".

"Really?" smiled Meher.

"Yup", smiled Krish. "But...um...dad, could you please help us carry it to the bed? It's kind of heavy".

"Sure", smiled Preet as he swung Krish onto his back in piggy-back style, and walked to the bedroom door. Sure enough there was a tray sitting outside. With Krish still on his back he carefully kneeled down and picked up the tray and brought it back to Meher.

"Oh yummy!" exclaimed Meher. "That's my favorite cereal. And you made toast too...Wow! That's my big girl. Everything looks wonderful". She hugged Gungun tightly.

"I would have made eggs too", explained Gungun, "but you know I'm not allowed to turn the stove on yet".

"Ahem", said Krish clearing his throat, "the rose was my idea".

"Really?" smiled Meher. "It's perfect".

"Hmm...that rose looks awfully familiar", teased Preet.

Gungun and Krish exchanged glances and giggled. "Krish, why don't you go and get mom and dad's present?" said Gungun.

"You mean there's more?" asked Preet. Krish nodded his head enthusiastically before running out of the room. He was back in a few minutes, holding a square shaped package, and promptly climbed into bed next to Gungun, between Preet and Meher.

"Open it! Open it!" both children exclaimed excitedly.

"I wonder what it could be?" smiled Meher, as she lifted the lid off the box. Inside was a beautiful, brand new photo album, with the words, Our Memories, written across the top.

"Gungun...Krish...this is beautiful", said Meher. She opened the album and gasped in surprise. She and Preet exchanged smiles as they slowly flipped through the pages full of familiar photos. "I think this is probably the best anniversary gift we've ever have gotten".

"Krish found the pictures when you were cleaning out the closet last week. And Heer Maasi took us to the store and helped us buy a new album for them and put everything together", explained Gungun. "She said these pictures were very special because they contained your memories, and that there was a story behind each one. Your story".

"I want to hear your story mommy", cried Krish.

"Me too", exclaimed Gungun, clapping her hands excitedly. "How did you and daddy meet? Was it love at first sight?"

"Hey, how do you know about all that?" asked Preet, raising an eyebrow questioningly.

"Come on daddy", giggled Gungun, "I've watched Cinderella hundreds of times".

"Oh", said Preet, "Meher, remind me to write a letter to the Disney people. They're apparently corrupting our youth".

"Mom, tell us about your story", Krish insisted again.

"Oh...Okay...Everyone loves a good story, especially if it's a good love story", began Meher. "I don't quite know how or why people fall in love. They just do. Love just happens. Kabhi kabhi ek hi mulaqaat kafi hoti hai. Aur kabhi kabhi bauhat si mulaqaatoon ki zaroorat padti hai. Aur kabhi kabhi, bauhat si mulaqatein bhi kum pad jati hain".

Krish and Gungun looked at Meher with blank stares on their faces.

"Aw Geez Meher...we don't work for Yash Raj Films", laughed Preet. He pulled Gungun up onto his lap. "To answer your question, your mom and I met when we were just kids. See this picture here", he said pointing to a picture of some children standing at the beach. "That was taken right after we first met. I think I was about 10 and your mom was just 8".

"Like me!" exclaimed Gungun.

"Exactly", smiled Preet, gently tweeking his daughter's cheeks. "Love at first sight? I don't think so", he and Meher said simultaneously.

{Flashback}...

8 year old Meher Maan took a deep breath as she took in the sights and sounds of the beach around her. There were plenty of beaches in Chicago, where she lived, but her family's vacation to California had given her an opportunity to visit the Pacific Ocean, something she had only seen in pictures till now. She clapped joyfully as she ran from waves trying to crash at her feet, then stopped in order to let the water help wash away the sand from between her toes. She looked around once again and finally settled on a safe spot to build her sand castle. Meher was almost done with her project when an older boy walked up to her.

"Here's your ice cream Meher", said Nihal.

Meher looked up from the sand castle she was building and smiled at her brother. "Thanks Bhaiya", she said as she quickly wiped her hands and took the cone from him.

"Listen, mom and Heer will be back soon. I'm going to go play volleyball with some friends I made over there. But I can see you, so if you need anything just holler. And don't wander off. Got it?"

"Got it", said Meher, as she flashed her brother another smile through lips laden with strawberry ice cream.

Meher watched her brother run off into the distance and then turned her attention back to her work of art. She took a bite of her cold snack, and was just about to take a step back in order to admire her creation, when some one chasing a frisbee crashed into her. Both fell straight onto the sand castle demolishing it into nothing more than a pile of sand.

"Oh no!" cried Meher. "My sand castle!" She glared angrily at the young boy scratching his head and wondering where his frisbee had flown off to. He quickly got up dusted the sand off his clothing and was about to run off, when Meher grabbed his T-shirt from behind.

"Hey!" cried the boy. "Let me go! What do you think you're doing?"

"What am I doing?!?" cried Meher. "Look what you did! I spent so much time making a beautiful sand castle and you ruined it! Now I'll have nothing to show my mom or Didi".

"Look", said the boy, "if it makes you feel any better, I'm sorry. I guess I was so focused on catching my frisbee, that I didn't see it in my way. Now do you mind letting go of my shirt?"

"No! First fix it!" demanded Meher.

"What?" the boy asked in surprise.

"You heard me," said Meher still holding onto the back of the boy's T-shirt, "you have to fix my castle".

"Forget it!" cried the boy, giving Meher a slight push, which made her fall onto the already demolished sand castle.

"Bhaiya!!!" yelled Meher.

"Bhaiya?" said the boy. He shook his head and turned to go, only to run into a brick wall. He looked up to see an older boy about the age of 14, staring down at him angrily. "Heh Heh, you must be her bhaiya".

"Any problem Meher?" asked Nihal.

"Bhaiya look!" cried Meher. "This ruffian ruined my sand castle! And then he pushed me!"

"No I didn't", protested the boy. "I mean it was just an accident...Dharti Ma ki Qasam. And I said I was sorry didn't I?"

"What seems to be the problem Preet?" asked another boy, joining the group. He looked to be about Nihal's age.

"Uff! Prem Bhaiya, I'm so glad you're here", cried Preet. "These people are holding me hostage!"

"What?!?" cried Nihal.

"Is that so?" said Prem, stepping in between Preet and Nihal. "Why don't you go pick on someone your own size?"

"Excuse me", said Nihal, "maybe you should ask your little brother that question. I mean he's the one who was picking on my baby sister. He ruined her sand castle, and then pushed her".

"I even dropped my ice cream", sobbed Meher.

"Oh God!" said the Preet, rolling his eyes. "Look I already said I was sorry. I didn't do it on purpose. It was an accident. I can't believe you're making such a big deal out of a stupid sand castle".

"Stupid sand castle!" cried Meher.

"Look he said he was sorry", said Prem.

Just then 12 year old Heer Maan arrived at the scene. "What's going on Bhaiya?" Asked Heer. "Ma sent me to check up on Meher. Aww, why is she crying?"

"It's all his fault", cried Meher, pointing an accusing finger at Preet.

"What? Why you little'" began Preet, as he took a step towards Meher. Suddenly he felt 2 hands clasp his mouth, keeping him from finishing his sentence. He looked up surprised to see that the hands belonged to his brother Prem.

"Heh Heh", said Prem, smiling towards Heer. "Don't be rude Preet. I know it was an accident. Per galti to ho gayi na? Now be a good boy and apologize".

"But I already did", protested Preet.

"Well do it again...just in case", urged Prem.

Preet looked up at his brother again, but he was too busy staring at Heer. Great, thought Preet, Leave it to a girl to come between me and PB. "I'm sorry", grumbled Preet with his arms folded.

"Good", said Prem. "So...um...we can all be friends now. I'm Prem, by the way, Prem Juneja. And this is my brother Preet".

"I'm Nihal", said Nihal extending his hand to Prem. "And these are my sisters Heer and Meher. Hey listen Prem, a bunch of us are playing volleyball over there. You want to join us? I mean, we could use another player".

"Sure", smiled Prem, "are you coming too Heer?"

"I don't know, maybe I should help Meher", said Heer.

"Don't worry about that", said Prem. "Preet will help her fix her castle. Won't you Preet?"

"Huhn? I will?" said a puzzled Preet.

"And here", said Prem, handing Preet some money. "Why don't you go buy your new friend another ice cream cone?"

"Lekin'", said Preet. But before he could protest, the older children had run off to join their game.

"Well...what are you waiting for...an invitation?" asked Meher, as she grabbed Preet's hand and dragged him along with her to the snack bar. "Let's go get that ice cream".

At the snack bar, Preet paid for Meher's ice cream and bought a can of Coke for himself. "I can't believe my brother sold me out for a girl", he grumbled to himself, as they walked back.

"You can't really blame him", offered Meher. "It's the age".

"What do you mean?" asked Preet.

"He's a teenager silly?" laughed Meher. "It's what teenaged boys do. I've seen my Nihal Bhaiya do it too. Don't you watch TV? It has something to do with raging harmonicas".

"Oh", said Preet, scratching his head. He looked around the sand pile where Meher's castle had once stood. His face brightened as he spotted his frisbee. He promptly picked it up and began to walk away.

"Hey what about my sand castle?" asked Meher.

"What about it?" asked Preet shrugging his shoulders.

"Aren't you going to help me fix it?" asked Meher.

"No", Preet replied simply.

"But I thought we were friends now", said Meher.

"You and me friends? Never!" cried Preet.

"But why?" asked Meher.

"Because I don't like girls!" said Preet glaring at Meher. "And I don't like you!"

{end of Flashback}

Please do remember to hit the like button...😳

Link to part 2:

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/70737371