This part continues from Rishab and Prerna's new life in London...
Rishab Bajaj drove in and noticed that Kukki's car was not in the driveway. Huh, as far as he knew, she was supposed to be home.
He called for Prerna was soon as Smithson let him inside.
Prerna came down the stairs in a chiffon red sari: That's it for tonight, Mr. Smithson. Please tell the staff, that will be all, thank you.
Smithson nodded and left.
Rishab stopped himself from staring: Uh. I was asking...where is Kukki?
Prerna looked at him suggestively: It's Valentine's Day, Mr. Bajaj. I don't expect that you remembered.
Rishab pressed his temples, his heart racing in alarm: Are you telling my that my teenager is on a date!? God, Prerna! She's still a child! Who's the boy? It's not that hipster Ruslan kid, is it? Is it a school dance? You let him take her on his own!?
Prerna rolled her eyes: Stop panicking! Kukki is NOT on a date. We ARE. She is having a sleepover at Stephanie's.
Rishab sighed in relief and hugged Prerna: Oh, thank God, Mrs. Bajaj. I thought I would have to get out my revolver.
Prerna smiled on his shoulder: She will date eventually, Rishab, you can't stop it forever. She's not a little girl anymore. This is the age.
Rishab was tracing the line on Prerna's back: She's a child!
Prerna: She's a teenager. This is when they start having crushes. But enough of that. She's fine and away for the night. And you and I, Mr. Bajaj, will have a private night in cause it's Valentine's Day. So let's not ruin the mood.
Rishab smiled, calm now: Doesn't mean I am okay with her dating before she's 40 though.
Prerna smiled: We are going to have a chat about this soon. Not tonight. Come and freshen up, I have a surprise for you.
Prerna was waiting at the dinner table which was all set-up beautifully when Rishab came back down. He sat next to her at the corner of the long table and they looked on in silence.
Prerna smiled at him, her face resting on her palm: Say something.
Rishab: Aap kush hai na?
Prerna leaned her head: Bohot.
Rishab: Aapki kushi mere liye saabse jaayada maine rakhte hai.
Prerna teased: Other than Kukki not dating, of course.
Rishab smirked: Other than that.
Prerna: Yes, I am happy, despite the fact that you forgot Valentine's Day this year, husband (Rishab nodded). Let's have dinner before it gets cold and just stay in, I don't get to spend enough time with you.
Prerna was busy taking the tops off all the dishes.
Rishab softly: I never forget, Mrs. Bajaj.
Prerna looked at him in confusion.
He took out a small box and placed it in front of her on the table: Happy Valentine's Day, Mrs. Prerna Bajaj.
Prerna's jaw dropped: Mr. Bajaj, it's Garrard's!
Rishab shrugged.
Prerna: Oh, you didn't have to do all that...I was just teasing...
Rishab put a finger on her lips and traced them: Open it, you might not even like it.
Prerna opened it in reverence: Hardly think I would not like anything from Garrard's...oh!
Rishab watched her face silently: I gather you like it then?
Prerna sighed: It's perfect. But Mr. Bajaj, just flowers would do.
Rishab took the diamond bracelet and put it gently around her wrist and kissed it.
Prerna pulled back a few lost moments later: Now my surprise will seem very unimaginative.
Rishab, seriously: I doubt that very much.
Prerna smiled shyly: I am wearing my surprise.
Rishab, appreciatively: It's a beautiful sari.
Prerna blushed: Not the sari.
Rishab's words caught in his throat: R-right.
Prerna served a dish: Dinner first, I think, then...
Rishab: I can't eat knowing that, Prerna. (He tried to take her hand, but she pulled back).
Prerna: No.
Rishab sighed.
Prerna was taking a blissfully long time with her strawberries and cream after dinner.
Rishab, grimly: You are enjoying this.
Prerna smiled: More than you know.
Rishab: I didn't make you suffer for your present, Mrs. Bajaj.
Prerna: Delayed gratification and all that. I have to outdo your present now, Mr. Bajaj.
Rishab: You are incorrigible.
She smiled and ignored him.
At last, she stopped playing with her food and looked at him: Undo me then.
Rishab turned her around and undid her blouse: All the staff are gone?
Prerna threw her head back, he hair falling over his shoulder: Um-hmm.
His warm breath swept over her neck as he pulled on to his lap. He traced her new La Perla piece, all across the bodice.
Rishab: You have outdone yourself today, Mrs...Bajaj.
Prerna resting her head against him, her eyes closed, her pulse picking up: You like it?
Rishab smiled, sinking into her clavicle: Do I...
Seher Hone Ko Hai
