PART-17
"This is an amazing room..like Aladdin's cave with treasures everywhere",Meher exclaimed.
Meher had returned to Preet's flat in a state of tension. Not expecting a single moment of the session but then Preet sugested that they move into his studio and from the moment she had set her foot in that room-she had been entranced by the large ,airy room, flooded with light and all sorts of paintings, colours, brushes, so she had been unable to hold back.
"I never realized how similar our jobs are", she went on."I'm not an artist like you, but our trade is very similar"
"Hey don't put yourself down", Preet surprised her by saying..."You use your skills to enhance one's looks whereas I merely reproduce them"
"Now who's putting himself down..You're brilliant Preet and you know it..anyways so where should I sit"
He silently indicated to a chair next to the window from where the light would fall to her face.
"Put this on",he tossed a blouse to her.."The skirt would do, its only head and shoulders..you can change in the bathroom.", he saids with a nod indicating to the bathroom door as he occupied himself with the brushes and paints.
The blouse was the one she would have chosen for herself, Meher reflected in the privacy of the bathroom..Black satin silk with flowing sleeves..The colour suited her well and seemed to sharpen her features.
"Leave you har open", he called out...S she simply brushed her hair and added another coat of lipstick and took deep breadths to calm her heart before stepping out.
Apart from the sharp breath he drew as his eyes met hers, none of his moves reflected anything about his feelings..He resumed his work as she took her seat..It took some minutes as Preet arranged her in the pose he wanted, changing his mind several times and adjusting her hair, face, hair and with the proximity they shared Meher found it difficult to breath.
"I knew the blouse was right as soon as I saw it..Mind you, what I had really liked to paint you is in the dress you wore at Sam's party."An unexpectedly warm smile curled his lips in sensual appreciation.."You looke like Madame Recaimer in that"
Meher felt colour rush to her cheeks at the mention of thr painting. She knew the 19th century painting he was referring to..The woman in the painting had langerously posed on the couch and looked as if she had just got out of bed in which she had made love with the artist, which was not the way she wanted Preet to look at her.
No! She wasn't going to let him..To distract him, Meher quickly changed the topic..
"Umm..so howz Prem...Is he still in the same business", she stressed on the last word..
"Still taking things from people's houses you mean?..Well yes ..he swtill does that!"
Preet's nonchalant way of speaking was shocking..How could Preet be so casual about the fact that his brother was a thief and that he was in prison..She realled seeing him in college before he was arrested for his misdeeds..
"You're too transparent, Meher Mann..Everything you are thinking is written in your face..If taht may interest you Prem takes things from other people's houses with their approval..He's into removal business and he's a married man now"
Meher found taht her ability to speak had deserted her. Prem Juneja- the wildest guy of her college established his own business and is married. She never got a chnace to interact with him, for all she knew he hated her and that was evident from the way he openly avoided her and the hateful glances directed towards her by him..
"Nothing to say", Preet enquired casually.."Look Prem made mistakes in the past but he's paid for them"
"I am sorry", she said
He shrugged casually as if her apology no longer mattered...The next few hours passedin silence as Preet started working on the portrait, until the sound of the telephone ring filled the room..
"I'll be right back"
Meher was lost in thoughts when Preet came back..
"Lost are we', he clicked his fingers to draw her attention.."Meher I'm afraid I'd forgotten that I had promised Sid that I'l be helping her at the centre tonight, so we'll have to pack up for the day"
"The centre..You mean kids centre"
"Yea..some kids are keen on drawing and painting..so I promised to teach them"
Preet Juneja helping kids..This man never failed to surprise her...
"Alright so when shall we have the next sitting", she asked
"You are still on for it"
"Do I have a choice Mr.Juneja?", she snapped
"Meher does it have to be like this..You could try and be more friendly"
"Friendly?? To you...?..I'd rather kiss a cobra and with the way you have been blackmailing me for this how could you even expect that?"
'You're here because you let me trap you into it..You could have got out easily..you still can..All you have to do is tell Sameer the truth..But you never will, will you Meher Mann.Why can't you tell me to go to hell...tell me that Sameer wouldn't care if i told him the truth", Preet said taking steps towards her as she moved backwards..
"You can't tell me that", he taunted her cruelly.."You can't tell this man whom you describe as a perfect gentleman"
"Which he is", she retorted..
"Is he Meher..Wouldn't a real gentleman love you for who you are and not give a damn about your past"
Love..The word suddenly sounded rather strange to Meher..Did Sameer love her. He never confessed it...
"And wouldn't a gentleman keep quiet about that past if he knew it could ruin someone's future", she flung the words to Preet's face...
She saw his eyes turn dark , as she pushed her against the wall and trapped her between his arms, his face dangerously close to her..."As u say Meher, I am no gentleman and I am not going to let you off so easily..So either you tell Sameer the truth or go along with what i want..The choice is yours Meher Mann..Its your partner or me!"
Edited by Rhea_401 - 11 years ago
Pati Patni Aur Panga
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
