Fatima's Cozy Corner - Page 27

Originally posted by: AASUS

Hi 😃

pls visit when time permits :)

Check it out

Originally posted by: AASUS

I wanna Meher's bday treat - when's next story coming 😛

I will however tell you this much ...the title is Dus Bahane Kar Ke Le Gaye Dil

Originally posted by: AASUS

Fatima Ji Ty but I already know it cuz saw banner :P

Btw you're a pinki now - yay all that hard work being busy bee paid off huh

Now sizzle away 🥳

"Hey Preet", said Gaurav, as he walked into the office balancing a stack of files in his arms. "I've been working all morning on the quarterly report and I'm finally done. Want to grab a bite to eat?"

Preet didn't respond.

"Preet? Hello? Earth to Preet'", said Gaurav, as he waved his hand before his friend's face.

"Huhn?" said Preet, as if realizing for the first time that someone was in the room with him. "Oh...hey Gaurav. What's up?"

"I came by to give you the quarterly report", said Gaurav. "I had accounting double check all the numbers. You should be all set for your presentation next Friday. I'm also starving, so let's go get some lunch".

"Um...no...it's okay", Preet said, pointing to a tiffin lying on a side table. "I have this".

"Ooo", said Gaurav rubbing his hands together, "ghar ka khana! You don't mind sharing do you?"

"Help yourself", Preet said, shrugging his shoulders.

Gaurav promptly opened the various containers of the tiffin taking in the delightful aroma of the contents each one held. "You know you are so damn lucky'", he said in between bitefuls, "you better have some before I finish it all".

Preet didn't respond.

Gaurav stopped eating, and looked at his friend. He was being awfully quiet today. And it certainly wasn't like him to forgo an opportunity to eat, that too if the food was as good as the one before him. "Preet...aren't you going to have some?"

"Huhn?" said Preet, "Um...yeah...maybe later".

Gaurav wiped his hands on a napkin. "What's going on Preet?" He asked. "I mean you seem to be on another planet. Is everything alright?"

"Yeah...I'm fine", Preet assured him.

"Then why the long face?" asked Gaurav.

"It's nothing really", insisted Preet.

"Come on Preet!" said Gaurav. "We've been best buddies since the time we were in diapers. There isn't anything you can't talk to me about. So come on, spill the beans. What's bothering you?"

"Well...", said Preet taking a deep breath, "I know this is going to sound really silly...but...I...I think I'm in love".

"What?!" cried Gaurav. "Preet Juneja you cheat!! You're a married man for God's sake! I never thought you'd stoop so low! I'm almost ashamed to call you my friend!"

"Gaurav will you please shut up!" said Preet rolling his eyes. "It's Meher". He pointed to the picture on his desk. "I think I'm in love with Meher".

"Oh. Well...that's a good thing right? I mean, she is your wife", chuckled Gaurav. "So what seems to be the problem?"

"Gaurav...you know the circumstances under which Meher and I got married", Preet reminded him. "She was in love with my brother'".

"Yeah and you had a thing for that nautanki Ash", added Gaurav.

"Don't remind me", sighed Preet. "Anyway, we promised to put our past behind us and commit to our marriage. And over the past 6 months we've become really good friends...but...it's never gone beyond that. You know what I mean? And now...'"

"Friends?" interrupted Gaurav. "You mean you and Meher have been living together as just friends?" asked Gaurav.

"Yes", said Preet.

"Sharing the same bed too...as just...friends?" asked Gaurav.

"You know what just forget it!" said Preet getting up from his seat. "For some insane reason I thought you'd possibly give me some genuine advice, and instead you want to make fun of my situation".

"No I'm not, I swear", said Gaurav, as he took his friend by the shoulders and made him sit down again. "Okay...so...you and Meher are friends...but you want more than that. She's your wife man...so that's a good thing. I don't see what the problem is?"

"The problem is I don't know how to approach her about this", said Preet. "I mean I can't force her to accept me just because my feeling for her have changed. What if Meher doesn't feel the same way about me? What if she's still not over Herman Bhaiya? And...what if she never feels the same?"

"Hmm'", said Gaurav. "But...surely you must have noticed some change in her behavior towards you. Something...anything?"

"I don't know", sighed Preet. "I mean, this past Holi we were sort of sharing somewhat of a romantic moment together and Herman Bhaiya walked in on us. You should have seen the hurt expression on Meher's face. Would she have reacted that way if she wasn't still in love with him? She dotes on me like a dutiful wife..." Preet pointed to the tiffin, "...cooks my favorite foods, keeps all of my stuff organized, even laughs at all my stupid jokes, but that doesn't mean she loves me does it?"

"That is a tough situation Preet. But how long are you going to continue like this? Maybe you should just have a heart to heart talk with her and find out where things stand", suggested Gaurav.

"Maybe", said Preet. "But what if she's not ready? I may wind up pushing Meher away and jeopardizing the friendship we have. I just don't want to risk that".

Gaurav became silent in thought for a moment. But it wasn't long before a smile returned to his face. "Preet, what if you let Meher know how you feel without having to actually say anything, and make her fall in love with you at the same time?"

"And how do you expect me to do that?" asked Preet.

"I don't know", smiled Gaurav. "But that's where we call in the experts".

"Experts?" said Preet. "Gaurav, I don't want to discuss my personal life with anyone. I'm already having second thoughts about telling you".

"Look...just give me 5 minutes and I'll be right back", said Gaurav. He darted out of the office, leaving a very confused Preet behind him. A few minutes later, he returned with an arm load of men's and women's fashion and health magazines.

"What is this?" chuckled Preet, as he watched his friend dump the magazines on his desk. "You actually read these?"

"Laugh all you want...but this, my friend, is a treasure cove full of expert advice on everything women love", insisted Gaurav. "Let's see...10 best places to take her on a date, Top 20 ways to propose to your woman,.25 new moves you can try tonight'...um...I think I'll hold on to that. 10 easy ways to get her pregnant...woah...you're not quite there yet..."

"Gaurav!" cried Preet.

"Ah here it is'", continued Gaurav, "10 Easy Ways To Get Your Partner In The Mood For Romance. This is the one I was looking for".

"No", sighed Preet.

"So then what's the harm in trying?" asked Gaurav.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but...okay", said Preet, "tell me what it says".

"Alright'", said Gaurav, rubbing his hands together, "Step 1: It may seem superficial, but you have to begin by taking care of your health and appearance. Stay well groomed and fit if you want her to take notice". Gaurav looked his friend over carefully. "Hmm...Preet...when's the last time you had a manicure".

"A manicure?" asked Preet. "Actually, I've never had one".

"Well you're going to get a manicure, pedicure, and a haircut, before the day's over", insisted Gaurav. "And starting tomorrow you're going to start wearing a tie".

"A tie!" protested Preet.

"Yes a tie!" said Gaurav. "Oh and you're joining a gym too".

"A gym?" winced Preet.

"Look...do you want Meher to fall for you or not?" asked Gaurav.

"Yes...but...'", began Preet.

"No buts", said Gaurav. "This is expert advice I'm telling you. She'll be lattoo over you in no time...guaranteed".

Later that evening...

Meher was in the washroom scrubbing her turmeric stained hands. "Mera bhi na...dimaagh kahrab ho gaya tha, jo haldi kootnay bait gayi thi", she scolded herself. "And now just look at my hands!"

Just then she heard Preet call out her name. '"Meher! Meher where are you?"

"Preet", smiled Meher, as she came out of the washroom, drying her hands with a towel. "Aaj tumhe inti dair kyun lag gayi? Here, have some water".

"Thanks", said Preet. He took the glass from her hands, but not before he ran his fingers through his hair. "I stopped by the salon and got a haircut".

"So I see", smiled Meher. "You look very nice". The fact that his nails were also neatly manicured did not escape her notice either, but just to make sure, Preet held his empty glass practically up to her nose. Meher took the glass from him quickly. She suddenly felt very conscious of her own yellow hands and tried to conceal them as best as she could with the towel she was holding.

"Um...Preet...why don't you go freshen up and I'll get your dinner for you", she offered.

"It's okay Meher", smiled Preet, "I actually grabbed a bite to eat with Gaurav. Oh and I joined a gym today, so you can expect me to get home around this time everyday".

"You joined a gym?" Meher asked in surprise. "But you jog every morning".

"Meher...our body is a temple...we need to take care of it if we want live a long and healthy life", Preet explained as he tweeked her cheeks. "Jogging is so old news. Ab to weight training aur 6 pack abs ka zamana hai".

"Oh...okay", Meher said quietly. She took Preet's coat from him and hung it in the closet and watched him head towards the washroom to change. What's with him today? She wondered. Our body is a temple? Haircut...manicure...gym? She placed both hands on her cheeks. And just what was he trying to tell me by tweeking my cheeks like that? She looked over at her reflection in the mirror and patted both cheeks again, then sucked her stomach in. That's it Meher Juneja'! You are going on a diet...effective immediately!

"She said I looked very nice". Preet beamed with happiness as he gave his progress report to Gaurav.

"Yes!" said Gaurav, exchanging a high-5 with his friend. "See I told you the experts never fail".

"Okay, so what's the next step?" Preet asked eagerly.

"It says here...that women love chocolate. Sometimes even better than sex" said Guarav.

"Really?" asked Preet.

"Yeah...it says it has something to do with serotonin, dopamine and hormones. Anyway...bottom line...get her a box of her favorite chocolates and she's sure to love you back", said Gaurav.

"Seems simple enough", said Preet.

"Hey Meher!" smiled Preet, as he walked into the kitchen. "I've got a surprise for you".

"Chocolates?" winced Meher. "What are these for Preet? I mean, it's not like it's my birthday or anything".

"Meher...I don't need a special occasion to give you chocolates. I just thought you'd like them so I bought them. Here have one", said Preet, as he attempted to open the box.

"Thanks Preet", said Meher, quickly taking the box from his hands, "but how about if we have dinner first?"

"Oh...okay", said Preet. He quickly washed his hands at the kitchen sink and proceeded to the dining table. "Actually I'm starving. My trainer at the gym is a tyrant".

Meher placed several items in front of Preet, before sitting down with a plate of salad for herself.

"Where's your dinner?" asked Preet.

"This is my dinner", said Meher.

"Meher you hate salad", said Preet.

"No. I mean...not really", lied Meher. "Besides, I had a late lunch and I'm really not that hungry".

Meher was in her room getting ready for bed.

"Hey Meher", said Veera, "can I borrow your hair dryer? Mine seems to have conked out".

"Sure", said Meher. She walked over to her dressing table and got the dryer for her sister-in-law.

"Thanks", smiled Veera. She was about to leave when she spotted the box of chocolates lying on the bed. "Oh my! Are those Godiva chocolates?"

Meher nodded. "Preet brought them home tonight".

"Ooo...a gift from the hubby", teased Veera. "What's the occasion?

"No occasion? He just gave them to me", blushed Meher.

"Well then he must really love you", remarked Veera, making Meher turn an even darker shade of red. "I can't believe you haven't even opened the box yet. If I were you I would have devoured them by now".

"I know, but I just started my diet today. And I've sworn off sweets or anything fatty until I lose at least 10 pounds", Meher said determinedly.

"How tragic", sympathized Veera, "Mind if I have one then? They're my absolute favorite".

"Help yourself", sighed Meher.

"Oh! These are sooo good!" Veera exclaimed, as she bit into a piece of chocolate. "Mind if I have another?"

"No not at all", chuckled Meher.

"What's so good?" asked Heer, as she waddled into Meher's room. At 8 months pregnant it was getting more and more difficult for her to walk around.

"These chocolates", replied Veera. "Meher's on a diet, so I thought I'd help her stay on it by having a couple. You want some?"

"Sure", replied Heer. "I was on my way down to the kitchen to get something to eat anyway".

Meher quickly walked over to her sister and helped seat her on the bed, and placed some pillows behind her for added comfort. Veera then passed Heer the box of chocolates.

"Mmm...", said Heer, as she took a bite, "I think I'm in heaven".

Just then Gaytri and Maya passed by the room. "Hey what's going on here?" They asked.

"Mom! You have to try these chocolates! They are absolutely divine", said Veera, offering her mother some.

Meher bit her lip. Everyone was eating the chocolates except for her. I better think of an exit strategy before I quit my diet on the very first day, she thought. "Heer Didi, I think I'll go down and get a glass of milk for you. Anyone else want anything?" she asked.

"No thanks dear", smiled Gaytri, as she helped herself to another piece of chocolate.

Meher hadn't been gone long when Preet came walking down the hall towards their room. As he approached the room, he heard someone moan with delight. Looks like Meher finally got to those chocolates, he smiled. But when he got to the room, he realized that it wasn't a moan he had heard, but rather several moans in unison. To his dismay, he found all the ladies of his house, except for his wife, hovering over the box of chocolates he had brought.

Just then Meher, returned.

"Meher, what's going on here?" he whispered. "And why is everyone eating the chocolates I brought for you?"

"Oh look Preet's here", remarked Gaytri. "Chalo girls, party's over. Time to give Preet and Meher their room back. Beta thanks so much for the chocolates". She hugged her son before leaving.

"I'm still licking my fingers", remarked Maya.

"Goodnight Preet Bhaiya...Love you loads", said Veera.

"You are such a good devar", said Heer. She patted Preet's cheek and took the glass of milk from Meher, as she left their room.

Preet walked over to the bed and picked up the empty box. "I can't believe they finished them all. Did you get to taste even one?" He asked Meher.

"No", Meher said apologetically. "Actually, I just started a new diet today, and...well...I didn't want to binge". The disappointment on Preet's face was evident. "I'm sorry", offered Meher, "but I do appreciate your thoughtfulness".

"Well did it work?" asked Gaurav.

"Sure", scoffed Preet. "It worked so well that every single woman in my house loves me...except my wife that is".

"What?" said Gaurav.

"Meher started a new diet yesterday,and chocolates aren't exactly allowed", sighed Preet. "She misunderstood my joining a gym as a sign that she needed to lose some weight too. So she passed the box along to Veera, and then Heer Bhabi. Even Ma and Maya Bhabi joined in. The poor little gooey gobs never stood a chance. So much for your expert advice".

"Wait a minute Preet", protested Gaurav. "The experts never fail. The chocolates did make women love you...just not the right one. Call it bad timing, but that's no reason to give up. Let's see what step 3 says".

Preet simply shrugged his shoulders.

"Step 3 says decorating a room with candles is a definite way to create a romantic environment and get her in the mood".

"Well then there you go", said Gaurav. "Tonight just may be the perfect opportunity to surprise her".

Preet picked up candles of different shapes, sizes and scents on his way home from work. Once in his room, he checked his watch. He still had half-an hour to set things up before Meher came home. He quickly placed the candles all around his room, then began to light them up one by one, but the wind coming through the open windows kept blowing them out. He promptly walked over to the windows and closed them.

About 15 minutes later the bedroom was glowing with candle light. Preet surveyed the room, and smiled in satisfaction. Another 15 minutes passed, Meher was still not home and the room was beginning to get quite warm. Preet wiped the beads of perspiration from his forehead. Where was Meher? He wondered. Another 20 minutes went by. Preet was sweating profusely and cursing his bad luck, when Meher suddenly walked into the room.

"Preet!" cried Meher. "What's going on here? Why is our room filled with so many candles?"

"Meher, thank God you're home", sighed Preet. He quickly walked over, took her by the hand and pulled her into their room. "How do you like it? I did it myself".

"It's a little warm in here isn't it?" said Meher, fanning herself with her hand.

"Oh...yeah...I guess I can open a window now that you're here", offered Preet. He quickly walked over to the windows and began to open them. "We'll have this room cooled down in no time".

To Meher's horror, as soon as Preet opened the window, a gust of wind made the curtains fly up right by where he had placed some candles. They immediately caught fire.

"Preet aag!" cried Meher, as she made a dash for the bathroom.

Preet quickly turned around and caught the curtain, yanked it down and was about to stomp out the fire when Meher returned with a bucket and splashed him and the curtains he was holding with water.

The next day...

"Dil ke armaan aasoo-oon mein beh gaye", sang Gaurav, "Or in your case a bucket of water".

Preet watched his friend roll over laughing. "Ha Ha! Very funny!" Remarked Preet. "Go ahead, have a good laugh at my expense. I almost burned down my house, my mom and dad were furious, and Meher thinks I'm crazy. So much for the stupid advice from your stupid experts".

"That's not fair Preet", argued Gaurav. "I mean 10 candles are romantic...a 100 candles are a bit of an over kill don't you think?"

"Well you didn't specify a number, so how was I supposed to know?" said Preet glaring angrily at his friend.

"Okay forget it", chuckled Gaurav, "let's just move on to step 4. It says here that you should give her a smoldering look and whisper sweet nothings in her ear".

"Smoldering? What's that?" asked Preet.

"Um...smoldering...how should I explain this one?" said Gaurav thinking out loud. "Okay...have you ever watched Disney's Tangled with your niece? It's that sexy slash flirty look the hero would give the heroine".

"You mean right before she would hit him with a frying pan?" remarked Preet.

"Well...yeah", said Gaurav.

"Forget it!" said Preet. "With my luck Meher will hit me with a frying pan too".

"Well maybe we should practice this one first, till you get it right", suggested Gaurav. "Come on show me what you can do".

Preet thought for a minute, before raising an eyebrow, throwing back his head and flashing Gaurav a grin.

"Preet, I said look romantic not desperate", sighed Gaurav.

"I can't do this!" cried Preet.

"Okay okay wait", said Gaurav, "maybe it'll help if we do role play. I'll be Meher and you can try again".

"Gaurav this is ridiculous", protested Preet.

"No it's not, trust me", said Gaurav.

Preet took a deep breath and slowly walked over to where Gaurav stood. He looked at him intently before taking his hand in his and said, "Meher...I think we need to talk..."

"Go on'", encouraged Gaurav.

"I know over the past few months we've become really good friends", continued Preet, "but I think it's time we consider moving our relationship beyond that point..."

"Oh this is good...real good", said Gaurav.

Just then someone cleared their throat. Preet turned around to see that his secretary was standing at the door. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important sir", she said, with a raised eyebrow.

Preet and Gaurav quickly broke apart.

"No...we were just...uh...uh'", stuttered Preet.

"Yeah...we were just...'", said Gaurav.

"Its okay sir", said the secretary, "I'll come back when you're not otherwise occupied".

Preet slapped his forehead in frustration.

"You don't think she misunderstood what just happened here do you?" Gaurav asked worriedly.

"Of course she did!" cried Preet, "This is great! I can't get to first base with my wife, and now my secretary probably thinks I'm gay!"

Later that evening...

"Preet...yeh tum kya kar rahe ho?" she chuckled.

Preet quickly took a deep breath then took confident strides towards Meher. He then gently took her hand in his and gazed into her eyes intently.

"Preet", said Meher, "Kya hua? Tum mujhe is tarah kyun dekh rahe ho?"

"Meher", whispered Preet, taking another step closer to her. "Meher...we need to talk..."

"Hey Meher", Veera called out, startling Preet. He quickly took a step away from Meher. "I brought back your hair dryer".

"Thanks", smiled Meher.

As soon as Veera left, Preet again took Meher's hand in his and whispered, "Meher...I wanted to say something to you..."

"Okay", Meher whispered back.

"Preet!" called out Lalit. Preet quickly turned away from Meher to face his father. "I was just about to turn in and thought I'd find out how you and Gaurav are doing with that presentation you have to make next week".

"Fine", sighed Preet. "All the reports are ready, and I've double checked our figures. We're almost done putting together the presentation CD. In fact I think we can probably give you and Prem Bhaiya a demo on Thursday, if you like".

"Good work", remarked Lalit. "I'll let Prem know".

"Good night Bauji", said Preet, as he walked his father to the door and locked it. No more interruptions, he thought. He turned around to see that Meher was standing right behind him with a puzzled look on her face.

"Did you want to say something to me Preet?" She asked.

Preet nodded as he took her hand in his for the third time. "Meher I...Meher...I...I...", Preet gulped. There she stood, ever so close to him, staring into his eyes, with her lips upturned into the slightest smile. Suddenly his mind went blank and his throat felt very dry. "Meher I think...I...I think I need a glass of water".

"Okay", smiled Meher, "is that why you were whispering?" She walked over to the bedside table, brought back a glass of water for Preet, and watched him gulp it down gratefully. "Ahem...Preet, if you're feeling a little better, do you want to watch a movie or something?"

"Sure", Preet replied meekly.

Meher turned the TV on and climbed into their bed. Preet came and sat next to her. Midway between the movie, Meher began to yawn. She slid her arm into Preet's and let her head rest on his shoulder. It wasn't long before she was fast asleep. Preet looked over at Meher. She looked so at peace, almost angelic. The scent of the soft fragrance she wore, filled his senses, and the gentle sound of her breathing made him smile.

Preet rubbed his cheek against her soft hair, before placing a gentle kiss on her head. "I love you Meher", he whispered, as he carefully laid her head down on her pillow. He watched Meher stir in her sleep, before turning to face away from him. "If only I could tell you".