FF: Safar-PremHeerJourneytolove end pg71,72 - Page 8

Part 7

"Me!" asked Prem in stunned disbelief. "Yes beta you. Me and Balloo promised your dadiji on her deathbed that we will unite our two families by marrying you both." " How can you promise off our lives like that?" Heer shook her head in dismay. " What if we fell in love?" demanded Prem. "Balloo and I waited for you to fall in love. Then we would have burried our wishes and met my Mom in heavens and asked her forgiveness." But you did not fall in love with anyone and remained true friends." smiled Balraj." Is it so bad for you to marry each other instead of some stranger. Then there will be no worry on your part on the other being ill treated." he insisted. Prem and Heer started to speak. "No, don't answer now. Think about it seriously. Discuss it together. We will be waiting for your answer tomorrow."Lalit said quickly. "Yes we have good muhurat's only until this november. So, we would like you to give us an answer quickly." added Balraj. Lalit and Balraj left, leaving shell shocked Prem and Heer in the study.

"Darn I didn't expect this." sighed Prem shaking his head." I didn't have an inkling they were thinking along this line."murmured a shaken Heer. " Me too. You are my best friend Heer a part of me. How can I look at you as," Prem broke off, walked to the window and stood staring outside. Heer reached him. Kept her soothing hand on his shoulder and started staring outside." I know Prem. When I look at you I see a boy with whom I played in the mud, who pulled my pigtails, who saved the first dollar he earned mowing a lawn and bought me a ribbon with it." Heer said in a choked voice " I see my Prem with his pure heart, soft eyes and impish smile. I see my friend, I can see us laughing, playing, talking and sharing. But I can't see us making" she blushed with drenched eyes. Hearing this Prem blushed." I too can't see you that way Heer. " he hugged her. "Now because of this don't go all wierd and shy with me." he teased wiping her tears and patting her red cheeks gently. Heer smiled and stuck out her tongue at Prem. " But seriously Prem what do we do now?" she worried. "Dad and uncle are not monsters. They are gentle and kind. " Prem said softly " Tomorrow when we tell them, we are not interested in that way, they will back off. Now cheer up and don't worry about it any more. Let's go out have lunch and catch a movie." "You are right Prem, I feel everyone is outside waiting in anticipation. Let's get out of here." They left a note, went up, dressed, and went out by the side door without coming near the living room.

In the dining room

Everyone was sitting around the dining table and having lunch. "What do you think dad? Will they agree." asked Preet taking a paratha from the serving platter. "As much a chance as India winning the next soccer world cup." replied Lalit cheerfully. "You don't seem to be too sad about it dad." asked Harman surprised. " Well beta your dad and uncle know that for a couple who have grown up as friends its very very difficult to see and accept each other in a different light." explained Gayatri. " This is the reason that pressure should be applied on them. Only when forced, will they look at each other differently and realise that they love each other. Right now they are in a comfortable rut. We have to get them out of it." added Balraj. " Well I hope they realise it quickly. I cant wait for all the marriage celebrations." said Meher in excitement. " Don't worry laddoo, dad and uncle won't rest until Jiju and di agree to marry. You will get to design, decorate, dance and make merry." laughed Nihal passing curry to Harman. "When will they come back." muttered Harman. "If my guess is right they will sneak back after we turn off the lights." smiled Teji. This led to laughter around the table. The elders warned the young ones to act as if they dont know any thing so that Prem and Heer wont be embarassed. After lunch they all quit to the living room for relaxation. Lalit and Balraj began discussing their next approach.

GalaxyMall, Ambala night time

Prem and Heer came out of fun cinema and decided to eat at MacDonalds. "What will you have Heer?" " Order a chicken sandwich and fries for me with a coke." answered Heer. Prem ordered for them both and they waited for their order. They heard a shout "PB! Heer Di" they turned towards the shout and saw Preet waving at them madly with a heavily loaded tray teetering in one hand. Prem hurried and took the tray from Preet. "Preet what are you doing here." " After lunch we got bored PB. So Harman bhai, Nihal bhai, Meher and I came to the mall to shop. Come and join us." They took their food too and went after Preet. They were greeted excitedly by the rest. "Di I bought a couple of tops that were out of this world" Meher took them out and showed Heer. "so what did you do."asked Nihal eagerly. Seeing their excited faces and surreptious nudges, Prem and Heer immediately understood that they knew what happened at noon. They blushed red. " You guys know don't you." muttered Heer shyly. "Don't worry we wont tease you." Nihal said gently. "What did you decide" asked Preet eagerly. " We are not going to marry" said Prem softly. "Oh no" sighed Meher "Why Bro" murmured Harman. Prem and Heer gave the reasons they gave each other. "What are you guys looking for in your companion?" asked Nihal. " She must be soft hearted, kind, she should speak sweetly, respect elders," said Prem dreamily" she should understand me thoroughly and stand by me through thick and thin" he sighed. "So she should be just like Heer di" teased Meher while others laughed. "Meher stop it" said an angry Heer feeling for a blushing Prem. "What kind of a girl do you want Harman?" Prem tried to divert their conversation. " I want a well educated, friendly, pretty and civic minded girl." replied Harman seriously. "Wow bhai dont ask for much do you." taunted Preet. "Well what do you want?" asked Harman. "Well I want a beautifull, bubbly girl, who will love me a lot and who will always fight with me." "Dont worry Preet" smiled Prem"Any girl tied to you will always fight with you." "PB"growled Preet "You Meher how will your Prince be "teased Heer. "My prince will treat me like a queen. He will listen to all my wishes and fulfill them. He will take me all over the world. " sighed Meher happily. " You dont need a pati laddoo, you need a genie. I will ask dad and uncle to be on a look out for one" Preet said avoiding Meher's kicks and making every one laugh. "What about you Nihal" Harman asked his best friend. "She should be brave and where ever she goes there should be a dhamaka" Nihal made every one laugh. Just then a man came running chased by cops. The lead cop slipped near the gang and fell into Nihal's lap to every one's astonishment. The cop's cap fell and long, dark hair slipped out. As every one stared, the stunned cop turned her face and Meher shouted " Vishaka di!!!"