"Wow", remarked Gungun. "So you were pretty mean to mom".
"He was, wasn't he?" chuckled Meher.
"Hey wait a minute! How was I supposed to know back then, that the girl I had just met was going to turn out to be your mother?" protested Preet. "Besides, I was only 10 years old. At that age girls are supposed to be the enemy. Krish, you know what I'm talking about, don't you?"
"Sorry dad", replied Krish, shaking his head. "I am not getting in the middle of this one".
"What happened next?" asked Gungun.
"Well", continued Meher. "If I had thought that that was the last I'd seen of Preet, I was wrong".
{Flashback}...A few months later...
"Meher what are you doing?" asked Heer. "You've been like glued to that window all morning".
"I'm looking out for our new neighbors", said Meher.
"You've been looking out for them ever since the realtor replaced the FOR SALE sign with a SOLD one", chuckled Heer.
"Yes, but the moving truck finally came this morning", Meher said excitedly. "And I'm sure the family will be showing up any minute now. I wonder if they have any girls my age. I wonder if they'll have any pets. Wouldn't it be great if they had a cute little kitty cat?"
"Meher, you're allergic to pet hair", Heer pointed out. "That's why we have a goldfish".
"I know", said Meher, making a face, "still it would be nice".
Just then the girls heard their mother calling them down for lunch.
"Come on Meher", said Heer, "you know how mom doesn't like us to be late coming to the table. You can look out for your new friends after you eat".
Heer and Meher were half-way through their lunch when Nihal strolled in, spinning a basketball on his finger.
"Nihal, you're late", Teji scolded him.
"Sorry Ma", Nihal smiled apologetically, "basketball practice went on for longer than I thought".
"Did you win?" Meher asked between mouthfuls.
"Meher don't talk with your mouth full", said Teji.
"Well did you?" whispered Meher.
Nihal winked and smiled at his little sister. "Ma, do you know that our new neighbors just arrived?" asked Nihal. "And you'll never guess who they are..."
"I'll go over and welcome them as soon as they get a chance to settle in", said Teji, as she placed a plate of food in front of Nihal. "But first I want you eat. Heer and Meher if you're done..." Teji stared at Meher's empty seat in surprise. "Now where on earth did this child go?"
Meher ran, with her favorite doll tucked under her arm, as fast as her little legs could carry her across her yard and 2 houses down to her new neighbors' home.
"Hi!" she cried to the couple standing in the yard giving instructions to the movers. "I'm Meher Maan. Welcome to the neighborhood!"
"Well thank you sweetheart", smiled Gaytri. "I'm Mrs. Juneja and this is Mr. Juneja".
"I live only 2 houses down from you. Well you have to cross the street too", explained Meher excitedly. "My mom will be over later this afternoon to welcome you. Do you have any pets or any little girls my age?"
"I'm afraid we only have 3 boys", smiled Lalit. "But one of them is about your age. They're over in the back yard putting their bikes away. Why don't you go and say Hi?"
Meher was a bit disappointed, but decided to make the best of the situation. Perhaps having a boy neighbor wouldn't be so bad after all, she thought. He could come in handy when they played house together. "Sure", smiled Meher, as she happily ran off towards the backyard. She was coming round the corner when she ran into someone, making them both fall.
"Ow!" yelled Preet.
"Tum?!" Meher cried in surprise. "Tum yahan kya kar rahe ho?"
"I live here", explained Preet. "But what did you do, follow me all the way from California just so that you can file an official complaint with my parents?"
"So you're my new neighbor?" Meher mumbled, ignoring his remark.
"Neighbor?" asked Preet.
"Yeah. I live just 2 houses down from you", explained Meher.
"Hey that's great!" exclaimed Prem, as he and Herman joined Preet and Meher's conversation. "Hi! I'm Prem, remember, and this is Herman. You're Heer and Nihal's little sister right?"
"It's Meher", sighed Meher.
"Right", grinned Prem. "Listen is your brother home by any chance?"
"Yes, and so is Didi", smiled Meher.
"Oh...well...that's great", said Prem trying most unsuccessfully to conceal his smile. "Maybe we'll just go over there and say Hi!"
Meher giggled as she watched Prem and Herman walk away, then turned her attention towards Preet. "So, do you want to play?" she asked him.
"No", replied Preet as he suspiciously eyed the doll Meher was holding on to.
"Come on it'll be fun", pleaded Meher.
"Ha! What's the fun in leaving your old room, your old school and all your friends behind?" grumbled Preet.
"Wow...that must have been tough", Meher sympathized.
"We even had to give our dog away, because apparently I had developed some allergy to pet hair", complained Preet.
"Hey! I have allergies too", remarked Meher.
"And I'm sure all the kids are going to pick on me, being the new kid in school", Preet went on.
"Don't worry, I'll stand by you", said Meher.
"What?" asked Preet.
"I said I'll stand by you", Meher said. "I'll be your friend".
"No thanks", said Preet.
"But why not?" asked Meher.
"Because I already told you...I don't like girls, and I don't like you", cried Preet, walking into his house, leaving Meher all alone.
{End of Flashback}
"Uff!" cried Gungun, smacking her forehead in frustration. "Daddy I'm so disappointed in you! You didn't even want to be mommy's friend! I can't even begin to imagine how you 2 wound up getting married!"
"I think you were a real nice person mommy", said Krish, as he gave Meher a kiss on the cheek.
"Hey no fair!" cried Preet. "This is a complete character assassination, and I won't stand for it".
"Well, did I say anything that wasn't true?" asked Meher.
"No", sighed Preet, "but for your kind information, your mom and I did become friends, real good friends".
"How?" Krish asked Meher.
{Flashback}...A few days later...
Meher was playing in the front yard when Preet passed by on his skateboard. He was attempting to do a jump, when his feet missed the board and he landed with a loud thud on the harsh pavement.
"Oh my God, Preet!" Cried Meher, as she ran to him. She saw him holding onto his arm. It was bleeding by his elbow. Meher ran straight into her house and made a dash for the kitchen drawer, where she knew her mom kept the first aid box. She grabbed it as fast as she could and then ran back to help Preet.
"Preet are you okay?" she asked almost out of breath as she reached him.
"Yes, I'm fine", sighed Preet.
"You don't look fine to me", said Meher, as she took a hold of his arm and got a closer look.
"Ow!" cried Preet, "Would you please becareful with that?!"
"Sorry", said Meher. "Come on, I've got the first aid box. I'll help you clean up".
Preet thought for a minute before picking up his skateboard and following Meher to her back yard. Once there, Meher turned on the garden hose and helped Preet wash his wound. She then took out some gauze and dabbed it dry, followed by some antibiotic ointment and a bandage.
"Hey you're pretty good at this", said Preet.
"I've seen my mom do this a lot of times", explained Meher. She put everything back in the first aid box and then leaned over and kissed Preet on the cheek.
"Hey! Yuck!" cried Preet getting up quickly and wiping his cheek. "What did you do that for?"
"I don't know, but my Ma always does it. I think it's supposed to make you feel better", explained Meher.
"Well it didn't!" cried Preet as he began to leave. He turned back to look at Meher. "Tum kitni ajeeb ho".
{End Flashback}
"Whoa mom!" exclaimed Gungun. "You kissed a boy? And you were only 8!"
"It wasn't such a big deal, trust me", chuckled Meher.
"Excuse me, Meher, do you mind telling them the G-rated version of events", said Preet. "And you young lady", he said pointing a finger at Gungun, "are not trying this out anytime soon".
"Anyway", continued Meher. "I didn't think your dad and I were ever going to become friends, but then something happened in the first week of the new school year..."
{Flashback}...
It had been one week since school had started. Preet carefully carried his lunch tray to an empty spot on a table in one corner of the school cafeteria. He had just fnished putting his straw into his milk box when an older child, with a mean smirk on his face, came and plopped down in the seat opposite him. Preet recognized him right away. It was Roger, a 7th grader, and the infamous school bully.
"Hey! I hear you're the new kid in school", said Roger. "So...what are we having for lunch?"
Preet ignored him and was about to pick up his sandwhich, when Roger pulled his tray away from him and placed it before himself. "Chicken sandwhich, fries, salad, a fruit cup and milk. Seems like all the food groups are well represented", Roger chided Preet.
Meher had been watching the entire spectacle from another table. She ran over to Preet's side and pulled the tray back in front of him. "Leave him alone Roger!" she cried.
"Shut up pipsqueak!" said Roger pointing a finger at Meher. "And don't interfere in my business, if you know what's good for you". Meher thought for a minute, before turning around and running out of the cafeteria. Roger just laughed at her reaction. "Everyone's scared of me around here", he said as he tried to take Preet's tray again. But this time Preet held onto his tray firmly.
"I'm sorry but that's my lunch", said Preet.
"You're gonna be sorry if you don't let go of that tray", threatened Roger.
"Suit yourself", said Preet. Before Roger knew what had happened, Preet flipped the tray forward causing all the food to spill on the bully.
"Why you little..." began Roger, as he stood up and pulled his fist back to hit Preet, but he suddenly felt like his arm was trapped in something. He looked back to see it being held back by a very angry looking Nihal.
"Hey Roger!" said Nihal through clenched teeth. "Meher here tells me you've been picking on her friend". He twisted Roger's arm making him wince in pain. "Now that makes me angry. And trust me...you wouldn't like me when I'm angry".
"No...I wasn't...I swear", stuttered Roger.
"Good. Let's keep it that way", said Nihal, releasing Roger from his grip. "Now just remember, I've got my eyes on you".
Roger was about to walk away, when Meher stopped him. "Just a minute!" she said. She walked up to Roger and kicked him hard in the shin.
"Ow!" cried Roger.
"That's for calling me a pipsqueak!" said Meher.
"You okay Preet?" Nihal asked, once Roger had limped away.
"Yeah", grinned Preet. "Thanks".
"Anytime", smiled Nihal. "See you later Meher.
"Bye Bhaiya", smiled Meher.
A small crowd of children gathered around Preet.
"Hi I'm George", said a boy. "That was really brave what you did. Nobody in our class has ever had the guts to stand up to Roger the way you did". Other children nodded similar sentiments.
"Well...Nihal did help", grinned Preet.
"Yeah but the way you flipped that tray was just classic", remarked George. "I think we're in the same math and social studies class. You want to come over to my house and do some homework together? We can play video games afterwards".
"Sure", smiled Preet.
"Great! I'll just go and grab my tray", said George, "and we can eat lunch together too".
Preet nodded. He watched George walk away and then glanced over at the spilled contents of his own lunch. Just then someone placed a fresh lunch tray in front of him. Preet looked up surprised to see Meher.
"I'm not very hungry today", she said, shrugging her shoulders and walking away.
"Hey Meher!" Preet called out. "Thanks...for everything."
{End of Flashback}
"Your dad made a lot of friends that day", said Meher. "And I guess we had finally made our peace too".
"We made more than peace that day", Preet reminded her. "Sure I had a lot of friends, but your mom became my very best friend. We did everything together. And regardless of whether it was morning noon or night...she was always there to help me out".
"Ooo Mom you look so pretty in this one", said Gungun, pointing to a picture on the next page. "But why is dad sitting on the stairs and sulking?"
"Well, that's me all ready for my first date", replied Meher.
"With dad?" asked Krish.
"No", laughed Meher. "That's why he's sulking".
"So you went out with another boy?!" Gungun asked in surprise. "How could you?"
"Yeah how could you?" demanded Preet. "By the way, that's another thing you're not trying out for a very long time", he reminded his daughter.
"Gungun we were just teenagers. And it was just a school dance", explained Meher. "Besides, it's not like your father didn't go running around after other girls. In fact, at the time this picture was taken, he was desperate to take someone else to the dance".
"Kaun thi wo chudail?" gasped Gungun.
"Some girl named Ashlesha, or Ash as she preferred to be called", laughed Meher, "but usually your dad had a whole list...that too of the most stupid girls in school".
"Ha Ha! Very funny!" said Preet. "Go ahead, have a good laugh at my expense. But you know the important thing is...that night was the first time I realized that your mom was the perfect girl for me".
Preet leaned back, smiling silently as he watched Meher continue to answer their children's questions about the next set of pictures, while his own thoughts drifted back to the events leading up to that very special night.
{Flashback}
"Hey Meher!" cried Preet as pushed the door of the girls' locker room open and poked his head in side.
"Uff Preet! Why do you always do that?" complained Meher.
"What?" asked Preet.
"Barge into the locker room", said Meher.
"Well...I've been waiting like forever for you to come out, and you weren't so what else was I supposed to do?" asked Preet.
"Yes, but it is a girls locker room you know", said Meher. "Boys are not allowed". She shook her head. She should really have her locker changed to something further away from the entrance, she thought. Thankfully she had finished changing her clothes.
Preet pointed to his feet. "Well technically speaking...my feet are still in the gym's hallway, so I'm not breaking any rules", He grinned. "Besides, you have your clothes on don't you?"
"Just barely", sighed Meher. She was debating whether or not to tuck her shirt into her pants, when Preet spoke up again.
"Relax. It's nothing I haven't seen before", smiled Preet.
Meher's mouth fell open. "And what is that supposed to mean?" she demanded.
"Nothing", Preet chuckled. "Look I have a real pressing matter to take care of, and only you can help. Do you mind coming outside already?"
Meher stepped outside of the locker room, just as a girl from the cheer-leading squad passed by. "Hey Preet", the girl smiled as she ran her hand up his arm and let it rest on his shoulder. "I'll be cheering for you at practice today".
"Ahem", said Meher, clearing her throat. "Makhan ye laga rahi hai...jam main la doon?" She rolled her eyes, before walking on.
Preet excused himself from the cheerleader, and ran after Meher. "Hey Meher...what's wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you? Why are you always wasting your time with the most stupid girls?" exclaimed Meher.
Preet looked back in the direction where the cheerleader had stood. "Are you kidding? She looks like a magazine cover", sighed Preet. "Besides, it's not like I'm looking to marry any of them...just go out on a date every now and then".
"Well with your track record, who knows who you'll wind up marrying", scoffed Meher.
"Don't you worry about that", said Preet. "I'll know when I find the right one".
"Oh yeah", said Meher, "how?"
"I'll hear violins playing in my head", replied Preet.
"Ha! And you think I'm filmy", laughed Meher.
"Look, you're supposed to be my friend not my mother", Preet reminded her. "Can we get back to discussing my problem?"
"Okay, shoot", sighed Meher.
"Well...you're a girl right?" began Preet.
"Last time I checked", laughed Meher.
"Well, would a girl like you...you know a smart girl like you...go out with a guy like me?" asked Preet.
Meher couldn't believe her ears. Was Preet asking her out? Get real Meher Maan. He only thinks of you as his friend, she reminded herself. "Well you know me Preet", Meher said, putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "I have no standards. So yes...I guess I'd go out with you".
"Yeah well...I'm sorry Meher...I do have some standards", teased Preet.
Ouch! Thought Meher. That hurt!
"Besides", continued Preet, "we've known each other since we were kids, and we just wouldn't click".
"Sure", mumbled Meher, "that's why you're always coming to me with all your problems".
"What?" asked Preet.
"Nothing Preet", said Meher shaking her head. "Please continue."
"Okay...I want to ask Ashlesha Singh to the next school dance", explained Preet. "She's in the debate club with you isn't she? And you both work on the school newspaper too. I thought maybe you could put in a good word for me".
"Ashlesha? Are you sure Preet?" asked Meher. "I mean she's not the kind of girl you usually go after. She's a total brainiac". Maybe Preet is finally growing up, thought Meher.
"Trapped inside the body of a game show hostess! Yes!" squealed Preet, pumping his fists.
Then again...maybe not, thought Meher.
"Meher tum kya soch rahi ho?" asked Preet.
"Nothing Preet", hesitated Meher. "Look about Ash. She's a senior like you, but I think she prefers to go out with college guys".
"Oh yeah?" said Preet. "Well, I just turned 18 a couple of months ago. And I go away to college next year".
"Well...with an argument like that, how can you lose", said Meher.
"Look will you talk to Ash for me or not?" asked Preet.
"Okay...", sighed Meher. "I'll talk to Ashlesha for you tomorrow".
"Thanks Meher. You're a real sweetheart", said Preet, as he gave her a warm hug. "Ab chalo...I'm getting late for practice".
"Not today Preet", sighed Meher. "I've got a lot of homework to do".
"Oh come one Meher", insisted Preet, "you're my good luck charm. Besides, who will I talk to on the bus on my way home?"
"I'm sure you'll find someone", said Meher. "Look...I've got to go".
Preet looked on as Meher walked off. What's wrong with her all of a sudden? He wondered.
Meher reached home and went straight up to her room. She put her bag down and then walked over to the full length mirror hanging on her wall. She looked herself over, smiled, pulled her long brown hair up and then to one side, sucked in her stomach and smiled again, before giving up and letting herself fall back on her bed.
Later that evening...
There was a knock on Meher's door, and Heer popped her head in.
"Hey Meher", said Heer. "Ma and I just finished making dinner. And she wants you to come downstairs, set the table, and make the salad". Heer noticed her sister's mood was a bit off. "Is everything okay Meher?" she asked.
"Didi", sighed Meher, "I think I need your help".
"What's wrong?" asked Heer, as she came and sat next to her sister on the bed.
"It's Preet", sighed Meher.
"Did you 2 get into an argument again?" laughed Heer. "Don't worry about it. You know you 2 can't stay mad at each other. He'll be over here sooner or later to apologize".
"No Didi, it's not that", explained Meher. "I think...I like Preet. I mean really really like Preet. I mean...I think I'm in love".
"Oh my God! First love! That's wonderful!" exclaimed Heer. "When did that happen?"
"Shhh! Didi, please", pleaded Meher. "Ma will hear you. Or worse...Nihal Bhaiya".
"Okay", whispered Heer. "When did this happen?"
"I don't know", sighed Meher. "I mean we've known each other for so long. And we know each other inside out. And we've always been there for each other. I keep on telling myself that we're just good friends. But I can't help wishing that we were something more than that, you know? I don't know why I feel this way...but I just do".
"Well, I think that's wonderful Meher. And to be quite honest, I'm not really surprised", said Heer. "I mean you guys are inseperable, so it was bound to happen".
"Sure, that's why he just asked me to help him ask some other girl to the dance 2 weeks from Saturday", complained Meher.
"Ouch!" said Heer.
"Hmm...Main Preet ko pasand karti hoon..., but unfortunately he doesn't feel the same way about me", Meher said sadly. "I'm just his buddy, his good luck charm, the shoulder he can cry on...but not the magazine cover he can drool on".
"Well...", said Heer, as she took Meher's hand and led her to the mirror, "maybe we need to change the way Preet looks at you".
"What do you mean?" asked Meher
"Meher, I want you to stop seeing Preet immediately", said Heer. "That means no talking in school or on the phone. No going to watch him at practice, or taking the bus together to and from school. No hanging out together, and no letting him come over here".
"Didi, are you trying to match us up or pull us apart?" asked Meher.
"Uff ho Meher! Don't you get it", exclaimed Heer, "you're always there for Preet, so he takes you for granted. Ignore him completely, at least for the next 2 weeks, and see what happens. I'm sure he'll realize what he's been missing. And as for the magazine cover..." Heer paused and pulled Meher's hair out of the pony tail she was wearing and let it fall open around her shoulders. "A little modification here and there...and I think we can definitely turn a few heads".
"You think so?" asked Meher.
"I know so", smiled Heer.
"Thanks Heer Didi", said Meher as she hugged her sister, "you're the best".
Meher did as she promised Preet, and spoke to Ashlesha the very next day. Ash had seen Preet around their high school, and though she had admired his looks, she hadn't really interacted with him. But on learning that Preet was the on the school's football team, and Meher's insistence, she finally agreed to go out with him. Meher called Preet later that night and told him the good news. Preet was elated and suggested they go out for pizza to celebrate. But Meher refused, saying she had already eaten and that she had homework to do. In fact for the next 2 weeks, whenever Preet wanted to see her, she refused saying she was just too busy. It was the first time in years that Preet didn't have 24/7 access to Meher, and it bothered him to no end.
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