Oct 04
Prem is dead. Long live Prem...
I am very confident that Prem will be back with us soon. There is no KDMHMD without him. *Sigh*
For all those who read the FF and left comments, thank you! Enjoy!
Chapter 3
"Yeah, I am thinking about it. More
like thinking how to avoid it," he murmured.
Lalit and Harman both sniggered into
their coffee. They were smart not to open their mouths when Gayatri was in this
mood.
"Kya
kaha?"
"Nothing", Prem said hastily.
Heer chose that moment to walk back
in. Prem immediately got to his feet.
"Are you done? Got everything you
need? Let's go"
Heer was staring at him blankly. She
looked back to see who Prem was talking to. "Wh…what?"
"Didn't I tell you, I was going to
drop you off?" Prem bent to kiss his mother on the cheek. "Love you, mom" he
whispered to her.
Gayatri smiled. He really knew to
charm the socks off anyone, if he wanted to. "I know…you don't want to talk
about this. Theek hai. It's good that
you are dropping Heer off. Her school is on your way to work anyway"
Heer was stuck. She bid her goodbyes
and walked out. He was waiting for her by the car, a silver Mercedes, holding the
passenger door open. She was furious with him, for being rude this morning and for
the stunt he had pulled just now.
Heer stood there, glaring at him.
"Did you realize that I might not have wanted to go with you?"
"I did. But then I also had to
apologize for this morning" he smiled. "I am really sorry. May I please drop
you to work?"
Heer did not look very impressed,
but got in the car anyway. A few seconds later, Prem took his seat next to her
and started the car. Heer nervously glanced at him. She was still not sure of
what to expect from him. He confused her. One minute he was grouchy like this
morning and then turn on the charm, like just now.
His hand came out to fiddle with the
radio and he turned on to the local channel. He has really nice hands, she
thought as she started at his fingers drumming on the steering wheel.
"So, do you like working at the
school?" he asked, navigating the car in the traffic.
"Hmm…yes. I like working with the
children"
"Yes, I can see how that can be
nice. Kids running around yelling and screaming" he looked over and laughed at
her expression. "I am just kidding, ok?"
Heer was panicking. She was out of
her depth here, so unsure of what to say. She decided to get straight to the
point. "Look…I am not upset with you for this morning. Yo…you don't have to be
nice to me out of guilt." She was glad as the school church came into view. "We're
there," she added hastily.
Prem stopped the car. "That's not
true," he started, but a car horn blared from behind and he swore under his
breath. Heer scrambled out of the car, hastily muttering "Thank you". She didn't
run, but walked as fast as she could and did not give in to the temptation to
look back.
For the second time that day, Prem
watched Heer walk away. He was frowning, as he pulled his car from the curb and
drove to work. He had watched her when she was with the rest of his family. She
was always smiling and laughing with them. But with him, she was prickly and
edgy, like just now. What was the matter with her?
"Aap
abhi tak soye nahin?"
Gayatri walked into their room to
see Lalit, sitting in an armchair, deep in thought. He smiled when he saw her
come in. It was almost 10.30 pm and Lalit never stayed up this late, if he
could help it.
"No, I was not sleepy. Gayatri…I
have been thinking," he started.
Gayatri looked at him, mildly
surprised. "What have you been thinking about?"
"Something you said this morning…Prem ki shaadi ke bare mein."
Now Gayatri was really surprised.
Lalit always sided with Prem when it came to his marriage. He was proud that
his son was so focused and determined towards his career. He had always
consoled her that when the right time came, Prem will make that all important decision.
So it was somewhat shocking for Gayatri to think that Lalit had been sitting
here and pondering over Prem's marriage. Yet she didn't say anything and waited
for him to continue.
"What do you think of Heer?"
For a minute, Gayatri looked
confused thinking what this had to do with Prem's marriage and then the penny
dropped. She looked absolutely delighted at the prospect of having Heer as her
daughter-in-law.
"Aaj
apne yeh baat kehke, mujhe bahut khushi di hai," Gayatri came to sit
opposite Lalit and reached over to hold his hand. "Heer is perfect and I
couldn't have asked for anything more. Now she will be with us forever.
Goodness," she had tears in her eyes. "Teji-bhabhi
aaj hoti to kitni khush hoti, nahin?"
Lalit had been thinking along the
same lines. He wished Balraj was alive so he could have taken this rishta to him and just to see that smile
on his face again. His throat constricted and he nodded to Gayatri. "I know."
"But," she started. Gayatri was
looking a little worried now. "Is Prem going to accept this? When do we ever
know what he is thinking? What if he says no?" She looked devastated at this.
"Now that you have told me this, I don't think I want anyone else for Prem, but
Heer."
Lalit was still lost in thought. "I
have to talk to him. That's all I can do and try and make him understand how
important this is." He stood up. "And there is no time like the present."
Gayatri stared at him. "Now? You are
going to talk to him now?"
Lalit nodded and walked out of the
bedroom. Their suite was downstairs, owing to the fact that Gayatri's knees
could not handle the stairs. Lalit began walking up the stairs and when he
reached the landing turned right. He knew Prem would be in his study, working.
"Papa-ji, did you want something,"
Lalit turned to see Heer & Meher walking in from the opposite end.
"You girls are not asleep yet?" he
asked.
"Ji…we…actually," Heer started, when
Preet interrupted.
"Dad, we were planning to watch a
movie. Do you want to join us," he asked grinning.
"Just because you don't have any
work to do, does not mean that you ruin their sleep too. No wonder you don't
wake up early," Lalit started, just warming up.
A door to their right, opened and
Prem walked out. "What's going on? Dad?"
Grabbing his chance, Preet ushered
Heer and Meher to the family room, located at the opposite end. Meher was
giggling and Heer looked a little worried. Looking at Heer, Preet said, "Chill.
PB hain na?
Lalit looked at Prem. "Beta, I need to talk to you. In
private", he said and without waiting for another second, walked into Prem'
study.
Edited by sshekar - 15 years ago
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