Hey Guys! Well I am back with another One shot after like months i guess 🤔 But leave that aside..I have written this OS as my birthday Gift to a very vey dear friend of mine.. our vey own modeator Nandani aka Nandu aka Nans😆 Love you dear girl and once again many many happy returns of the day! 🤗I hope this witing of mine would bring a smile on your face which is the only thing i want 😊 HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 🥳
OF SNARKS AND LOVE
The April night was a tad bit too cool this particular evening as Heer Maan walked out onto the lawn and took the path that led to the swimming pool garden. The entire lawn was exquisitely lit with small fairy lights that hugged the trunk of the October maple trees that stood tall along the driveway, its intense red leaves glowing in the hue of the yellow light, the conspicuous red flowers dancing merrily and the rose bushes that lined the stoned wall. The lamp posts along the narrow path lit her way. The gravel crunched against her heels as she walked ahead barely taking notice of everything. The pebbled path gave way to a poolside patio and Heer finally realized where she was, finally taking notice of all that was around her. A cool gentle wind blew bringing forth the fragrance of the sweet smelling violets, roses, the freshly mowed grass and the sound of music that played in the mansion behind her making her realize the reason of her sudden departure. Taking a deep breath, Heer rubbed her bare arms with her palms wishing that she had brought a shawl along with her on the way out as the strapless gown was of no help against the cool breeze that blew every now and then, toying with her black hair that were caught up in an elegant cluster at the nape entwined with small white roses. She let her eyes stray over the vast swimming pool taking in the way the blue moonlight illuminated the crystal clear water, its light dancing against the tranquil surface, the wind causing small ripples in it. Tearing her gaze away, she then looked up at the sky, the luminous moon shining down upon her in the clear black sky. Sighing deeply, Heer strolled over to the clump of rose bushes that were aligned against the wall to keep herself occupied, musing over the recent events that had taken place mere hours ago. Absently she plucked a red colored rose from the bush in front of her and fingered the soft petals running her fingertips delicately over the blossomed flower a lost look unknowingly drifting over her serene face. The Latino song had given way to a soft romantic number, and she wondered what he would be doing right now. Must have asked Lady Olivia for a dance, she thought dryly. They had been engaged in quite an animated conversation when she had left, with Lady Olivia hanging on to his every word with a demure smile on her face so she almost jumped in fright when that certain someone greeted her from behind in his familiar deep voice that used to make her heart flutter madly whenever he used to take her name or speak to her.
"You' gave me quite a fright Mr. Juneja," she said shakily turning to look at him, her hand coming to rest over her thudding heart making her wonder whether the accelerated beating of her heart was due to his sudden presence or because of his intense gaze which was fixed on her as he regarded her with a quizzical look on his handsome face. Her treacherous heart always managed to thump in triplicate whenever she saw him and after three years' It wasn't doing a very good job on slowing down its pace.
"Its Mr. Juneja now is it?" he said quirking his eyebrow at her his face baring no reaction yet she could see his jaw tightening with an effort to not to say anything else as he tossed down the rest of the amber liquid in his wine glass and placed it on one of the tables nearby before he made his way to her, his hands disappearing in his pockets, an act which he always did when he was thinking or frustrated about something and much to her surprise and exasperation she realized that even after three years of separation she still remembered each and everything about him. She needed to have a life and a boyfriend if she wanted to live any further.
"I. yes' How do you do?" she said a little stiffly perhaps as he merely regarded her much to her annoyance with an amused glance.
"I am doing rather well Heer, no surprises there I suppose. What about you? Haven't heard from you in a long time. Three years to be precise," he said pointing her with a stare so intense that she felt like squirming in her dress and it wasn't even hot. "What are you doing in Chicago?"
"Quite well. I am editor in chief at the Vogue," she said proudly a smile appearing on her face as she glanced at him and blushed as he looked at her with respect and admiration and for one moment she felt like throwing her arms around him and screaming at the top of her voice that she had finally achieved the goal that she had set out for herself since she had been in her teens. When she had received the letter 6 months ago she had been ecstatic that finally her hard work had paid off and she had gotten what she had wanted and had celebrated the grand event with some of her friends from work, but that night when she had lain in bed she had realized that something was amiss and she knew what it had been, but hadn't ever admitted to herself and had pushed herself to the full core to forget the past and give her best to the present. It was after all her dream to be a part of the esteem Vogue magazine, the dream for which she had broken her steady relationship with Prem.
They had met at a party which had been held by her colleague Sierra in honor of Heer as she had joined them some weeks ago only. It was the first time when Heer had left her home and came to New York City to fulfill her dreams of being a writer and getting to Vogue was a stepping stone. The attraction had been instant, the passion sizzling and frequent conversations over lunch and steaming mugs of coffee had brought them closer then they could have ever imagined. Both of them shared a passion for work and that was what made them perfect for each other. They wanted the best and strived for it, working day and night so that they would accomplish their goals. Prem was the only heir to his father's group of companies *Juneja & Co.* and after his father's death the responsibility of the crumbling company had come to rest upon his shoulders thus revealing to him his worst nightmares that his company was heavily in debt because of the unwise decisions of his father and thus the young lad not only had to take his company out of debt but also to re-establish it and bring it on the same footing as the other marketing companies of the city. Heer had moved in Prem's apartment after a month and things had seemed pretty happy and cheerful until Prem insisted on marriage and Heer who had not yet accomplished her goals had felt pressurized and misunderstood and had taken off in anger. That was the last time both of them had seen each other.
Shaking herself mentally at the sudden flow of memories she gulped inwardly and tried to focus on the present. As her eyes found Prem's she saw him regarding her with a curious glance.
"What is it?" he asked softly.
"What... Whatever do you mean?" she replied a tad bit nervously.
"You disappeared' you were thinking about something weren't you.. What is it?"
"It isn't important..." she said trying to brush the matter off with a casual wave of her hand. "So what brings you here.. I thought you didn't like parties." She said instead. Prem couldn't help but smile a little at that, it touched his heart in great abundance that she still remembered such little things about him. In answer to her question he shrugged "that was before. Mr. Bevelstoke is a business acquaintance and he insisted upon my presence tonight so I couldn't do anything about it. It is important that we maintain good relations with him."
"Yes I can very well imagine why he insisted upon your 'presence'" she said with a slight chuckle.
"And what do you mean by that?" he said playing along. Heer smiled again but this time with a slight hint of seriousness
"Lady Olivia is a fine catch and she seemed quite taken with you." She said lightly looking at the flower in her hand.
"What makes you say that?"
"Well you're better than the rest," she said with a slight shrug but regretted her words immediately as he merely quirked his eyebrow at her, his lips relaxing into a lazy grin.
"I' mean'" she stammered turning positively scarlet as she recognized the look in his eyes and hastily looked down his black eyes hardly doing any good to her sanity, and cursed the blush that crept up her neck, twirling the flower nervously in her hand and gasped inwardly as his large hand closed over her small one, stopping the restless dance of the flower in the palm of her hand. Warmth spread all over her body as his hand touched hers and she looked up in surprise only to find him scandalously close to her, and she saw something flicker in the dark pools of his eyes.
"Prem," she whispered and gasped inwardly as he raised another hand to caress the smooth skin of her cheek with his fingers, their touch whisper light kindling little strokes of fire in their wake as they danced dangerously close to her lips and then swiftly moved down towards her jaw exploring and then familiarizing themselves and she saw the euphoria that flickered in his eyes that she felt the same, soft and velvet. Her skin smooth and creamy like it has always been and for one moment she closed her eyes loving the feel of his hand that was doing wicked things to her wrist, his fingers playing a sensual game with her own, making the flower fall lamely on to the floor.
"You always used to play with your hands when you were nervous," he murmured, his intense gaze sweeping over her dazed eyes and parted lips. He felt her breath quicken and smiled to himself.
"I'...."
"You haven't changed," he whispered almost to himself as his gaze dropped to her lips and when he raised his eyes to her own, she saw them darkening with something more sinister yet sweet and she breathed in sharply as his fore finger touched her lips, tracing gently.
"Why are you nervous?" he murmured and grinned as her eyes flew open, coming out of the daze that she had been in earlier and quickly moved away, ignoring the little pang of disappointment when his hands fell to his sides and he regarded her with an amused smile which made her feel all the more infuriated.
"I think we'd better go inside, Lady Olivia must be wondering that what is taking you so long and we wouldn't want to keep your date waiting now would we?" She said sweetly, her voice barely concealing the note of sarcasm, her eyes burning with anger as she walked past him in a huff, livid at the fact that despite staying away from him for years, he could still effect her with a mere flicker of his eyebrow or his lazy grin that sent her heart fluttering much to her annoyance but stopped as he spoke again.
"What makes you say that I am better then the rest? Last time, I heard you calling me an insufferable, unbearable patronizing git who was unfit for company and to prove that point a brush had come flying right at my head. I was lucky that you were a bad shot else I would have been sporting a big bump on my head in the morning," he said clearly enjoying himself as her face turned a beautiful shade of red.
"Oh you don't know how much I regret that silly mistake of mine but I take great pleasure in informing you that I have been perfecting my aim ever since I lost an opportunity of making you think straight for the very first time!" she flung back turning around to look at him, her eyes flashing.
"Such concern for my welfare' I am touched Ms. Maan," he said innocently, his eyes dancing in merriment and placed his hand on his chest for dramatic effect.
"So its Ms. Maan now is it?" she said sarcasm underlying her voice as she coolly raised her eyebrows at him and almost fumed in anger when his grin widened all the more, making him look for any signs of smoke coming out of her ears and nostrils.
"Touche," he murmured closing the distance between them and hid his smile as she eyed him warily, crossing her arms over her chest.
"What do you want Prem?" she asked resignedly, looking up at him.
"I have been thinking about you Ms. Maan," he murmured taking her hand in his, his lean fingers drawing lazy circles in the palm of her hand.
"Have you? That's very flattering."
He ignored her snide tone and moved closer. "Have you been thinking about me?'
Oh dear lord if only he knew.
"Occasionally" she replied managing to put on a thoughtful look when her heart was busy doing somersaults much to her indignation.
"Occasionally?"
"Quite rarely"
He pulled her even closer, and dipped his head, almost curiously and looked into her eyes making her wish that he would just look away because it was hard to maintain eye contact when he was tormenting her with his mere presence.
"How rarely?" he whispered.
"Almost never." But her voice was growing softer and far less sure.
"Really?" he raised one of his brows in an incredulous expression.
"Why? Did it hurt Mr. Juneja?" she answered coyly
"Very, went right through the heart," he said feigning a hurt expression.
"I am not sorry about it," she replied her tone betraying her as his fingers danced dangerously close to her wrist.
"Heer," Prem whispered, ignoring her reply and felt her body shudder under his fingers as he slid his hand sinuously up her bare arm.
"Prem what do you want?" her voice merely above a whisper.
"I want...'"
"Mr. Juneja'" a voice sounded coming from somewhere behind them and they broke apart hurriedly as the noise of approaching footsteps increased and a woman of incredible beauty and zeal stepped on to the patio, a bright smile lighting her face as she made her way towards them.
"I have been searching all over for you. What are you doing here?" she gushed coming up to him, ignoring Heer completely as she took hold of the man in front of her.
"I felt like breathing in some fresh air' it was getting quite stuffy in there," Prem answered trying to hide his annoyance at the interruption and looked over at Heer who was much to his pleasure trying to look normal despite the color that had flooded in her cheeks betraying her emotions at once.
"I wish you would have told me, we could have gone out together. I still have to know you better," She said batting her eyelashes and Heer had to clamp her hands into fists before they connected with that doll face annoyed at the way Olivia touched his arm being outrageously clear about her intentions.
"Yes well I couldn't find you else I would have surely taken you with me, after all there's much to '" Prem said silkily watching Heer from the corner of his eye and hid his smirk as he saw her turn red in anger and turn on her heel and walk away without a word.
That stupid, infuriating, insufferable, unbearable man! What does he think of himself! He hasn't changed at all. Not a bit! Trust him to flirt with every cheap little bimbo out there who is ready to throw herself at his feet probably trying to lick his shoes and' Oh how I loathe him!" Heer muttered to herself as she headed inside and gritted her jaw as the sound of high pitched giggle floated to her ears from behind. Resisting the urge to go back and throttle the life out of that woman and slap the grin from his face, she walked inside. "How dare she touch him like that!" she fumed to herself as she made her way towards the bar seething with rage and ordered a shot of vodka to calm her nerves down.
Gulping down the drink, she grimaced inwardly as the liquid scorched her throat and then ordered another one, wondering with mounting irritation that what was taking them so long. Must be rather busy," answered a sly voice inside her head and she felt sick to her stomach as repulsive images flashed through her mind. Anger gave way to ache and hurt and she was on her third glass when she felt the sudden urge to cry and realized that she was still desperately in love with him. Whatever she had said to him earlier had been a lie. There had not been a single moment when she had not thought about him in the last two years. Her every waking thought had been about him. He was everywhere. In her mind, in her office, in her house, in her dreams torturing and tormenting her as she recalled every moment that she had spent with him reminiscing the hours spent on the front porch teasing and talking, the silly jokes, the regular fights and then the nights of passion and love that would follow afterwards. His every touch, every word of love haunted her and maybe that was the reason that she had had not been with anyone since the moment she had stepped out of his life. Apparently it was not the case with him. He had seemed pretty content with Olivia Bevelstoke and why wouldn't he be? She was a top class model and the daughter of his business partner. Things seemed very happy for the couple to be, she thought dully as she looked at her empty glass.
"Heer! Thank goodness I found you here' Fannie is driving me crazy!" Sierra said breathing a sigh of relief as she gratefully sank into a chair beside her friend and motioned the bartender to bring her some Martini.
"Let me guess, she dragged you to the most esteemed man of the evening Mr. Bevelstoke and told you that we must do an interview with him, and that it would be great honor if we get that Olivia chick to model for the front page" Heer said grinning at the look of absolute exasperation on her best friends face and laughed as she nodded her head sipping her drink and both of them looked at their boss who was standing not so far absorbed in animated conversation with another important man of the evening. Dressed in a black cocktail dress with her slightly graying hair held together by a barrette and her ears and neck adorning a beautiful set of diamonds Francesca Stirling was a killer at her age.
"You don't know the other thoughts that are frothing in her evil mind," Sierra said darkly as she looked at the woman in question.
"What can be worse then tolerating Olivia and her famous tantrums," Heer replied wryly.
"There is. The photo shoot that she had been planning for Olivia'. Well now she wants a certain Mr. Juneja to accompany her on the magazine cover too," Sierra said softly avoiding looking at Heer who had suddenly gone still. Sierra was well aware of what had gone on between Heer and Prem and she knew how devastated Heer had been at their break up even though she was the one who had walked out in their relationship and not Prem and she also knew that despite her efforts to erase Prem from her heart and soul Heer was still madly in love with him. Sierra had often talked to her to go back because it was pretty obvious that she was lost without him. But being hot headed and stubborn Heer had not listened to her and had pushed herself to the hilt to forget the man who had taken her heart away from her moment she had laid her eyes on him. And even now as she stole a glance at her, she noticed that Heer had a glazed look in her eyes and her knuckles had gone white against the glass.
"Heer you okay?" she asked quietly. "I noticed that you went outside and...and Prem followed you then you came back without him. What happened?" she asked gently taking Heer's clammy hand in her own squeezing it gently.
"He did? No we didn't meet as a matter of fact I didn't see him at all in the garden'" Heer replied coolly looking away.
"Heer stop lying to me and to yourself too. You know that you love him so would just stop running away from the fact that you can't live without him!"
"Sierra please. You know that we have had this conversation a number of times before and I have told you that I don't love him' not anymore," Heer replied her eyes flashing as she looked at the angry face of her friend and instantly felt guilty when her anger was replaced by hurt.
"You have to stop lying to yourself Heer. That's the only advice that I can give to you. I'll see you around then." She replied getting up patting her hand sympathetically before she made her way towards the refreshment table.
Groaning inaudibly Heer closed her eyes in obvious frustration.
"What are you staring at?" she snapped at the bartender who had found the entire exchange highly entertaining. "Get me another drink."
"Angry much?" a voice sounded behind her and Heer didn't have to turn to see who it was. like always he was back to have the last laugh. Again.
"Prem please leave me alone."
"Why ever so?"
"Because I said so. Where's Olivia? I am flattered that you came all the way here to talk to me but you can clearly see that I am not interested so you should invest your interests somewhere where they are highly thought of because I am not interested in having a nice cozy chat with you."
"Is that so? Because if I recall somebody here was clearly very interested in what I had to say or do some time ago" he replied pointedly noting much to his satisfaction how the color in her face deepened.
"That was not the case'" she started heatedly.
"That was exactly the case Ms. Maan. And you have had too much to drink," he said sharply taking the glass out of her hand.
"Why do you care? Don't you have your many girlfriends to go to? Why waste your time with a silly old drunk like me?" she replied scathingly.
"Do I hear a hint of jealousy in your voice Heer?" he asked raising his eyebrows as he took hold of her arm, making her stand, gripping it tightly as she swayed.
"Jealous and I," she scoffed. "Why would I be jealous? I don't care if you covet Olivia or Lilly or Elizabeth or Natalia. Its your life. Who am I to say anything? And I can walk thank you very much, I don't need you," She said snatching her arm away from him and walked towards the doorway her head held high just to prove to him that she didn't need his help. That she never needed him but she had only reached her car when he came up behind her and turned her towards him.
"you bloody hell need me right now as much as you needed me three years ago!" he replied furiously gripping her arm in a vice like grip as she tried to pry his hand away.
"I don't need you! I never did! Who the hell do you think you are? Just because you are the sole heir to your family's inheritance and business doesn't mean that you'll get whatever you want. And why don't you just leave me alone and go back to Olivia who wants you more than me. The way you ignored me completely when she came in the garden and started conversing with her as if nothing had happened between us before she arrived, clearly showed what her and your intentions were. You want to covet her than why come after me when all you can do is ignore me?" she flung back tears burning in her eyes.
"If you don't give a damn to whoever I date, then why do I see tears in your eyes?" he asked quietly his gaze piercing through her and she hastily looked away cursing the tears.
"I am not crying. Just got something in my eye," she mumbled turning away.
"You are hurting Heer. You are hurt that I flirted with Olivia. I did that merely to provoke you. I am sorry I know I acted like an insufferable git," he replied softly. "If I am not wrong you called me just that when you went away didn't you?" a slight smile on his lips.
"I' yes," she said a little sheepishly touched and surprised by his apology. "I must be getting home now," she said awkwardly as the silence stretched between them.
"Let me drop you home."
"No, its okay' I came in my car," she said quickly rubbing her arms avoiding his gaze and walked over to the door realizing her mistake. Swearing under her breath, she turned to look at him and managed a smile as he looked back at her with a knowing grin.
"Keys in the car? I was right. You haven't changed at all."
"Guilty as charged. Old habits die hard."
"Come, I'll take you home," he said, frowning as he saw her hesitate.
"I'll take a cab."
"Heer if you were wearing shades or were not in your senses while driving here and didn't take notice of the scarcity of traffic on the road leading here then I'll take great pleasure in informing you that this mansion is on the outskirts of the town and you wont see a cab or a bus for miles. I'll send some one to bring your car in morning."
"I... of course I noticed that. I forgot," she retorted, humiliated upon being outsmarted by him.
"Yes I can understand why that happened. Now if you please, I don't have all day," he said sardonically and stifled a laugh as she huffed past him.
This is going to be interesting, Prem thought with a grin as he followed her.
~****~****~****~*****~*****~
Half an hour later a car drew up in front of a posh house.
"Well here we are. I got you here safe and sound with no hanky panky on the way," Prem said with a grin as he turned off the engine.
"Thank you Prem," Heer replied warmly her face relaxing in to a soft smile. The drive home had been awkward. Neither of them knew what to say. The tension in the air had been palpable until Prem turned on the CD player to ward of the silence and they had both relaxed whilst listening to one of their favorite songs.
"No need to thank me Heer. It was a pleasure meeting you after all these years."
"I' I feel the same," she replied as they neared her door.
"Would you like to come in?" she asked after a while and Prem didn't miss the hint of nervousness in her voice as she took the key out of her purse.
"Do you want me to?"
"No'.. it won't be wise would it?"
""No' but I want to take the risk," he murmured his gaze lowering down to her upturned face. At that moment the moon peeked out of the clouds and Heer forgot what she was about to say as her eyes met his intense ones and she was robbed of words, of her heart and of her senses. The pale blue light of the moon, glistened off that perfect chiseled face, creating a sharp contrast against the jet black hair, the brooding set of dark eyes the perfectly sculptured male body clad in a black tux that had her pulse quickening, her flamed heart throbbing painfully in her chest and she suddenly felt short of breath. Her hands yearned to familiarize themselves once again with every contour and inch of that musculature, to crush her lips against his and go up in flames. But it were his eyes that had her locked in its gaze and her throat suddenly went dry as she saw the color in them darken and almost forgot how to breathe as he moved closer to her leaving mere inches in between their bodies.
"Heer.." he whispered.
"Hmmm'"
"You are to put the key in the lock and open the door," he whispered his voice husky as it lowered to her slightly parted lips a smirk lurking in those perfect lips of his making her come out her reverie.
"Key... yeah." disconcerted she coughed in order to cover up her embarrassment mortified at the fact that he had caught her staring at him and turned her face away taking great interest in the lock praying fervently that he had not caught sight of her face that had turned scarlet.
Prem couldn't help but grin as she fumbled with her keys unable to get the right one in and leaned against the wall tucking his hands in his pockets loving her all the more as she muttered curses under her breath.
"Will you just look away?" she said exasperatedly after some while giving up when the key refused to get into the lock and scowled as he stifled a laugh and moved towards her in order to take the keys from her hand.
"Why was it bothering you?" he asked cheekily, inserting the key swiftly into her lock and opening the door.
"Yes it was," she snapped and walked in, furious at her lapse of control and his grin of satisfaction and turned back immediately as he closed the door behind them and entered the dark hallway along with her.
"What are you doing?"
"Coming in'I wouldn't mind a cup of your home made coffee, I just realized how much I missed it" he said casually fingering the vase that lay on top of a dresser.
"You won't ever change would you?"
"What?" he asked feigning affront.
"You know I hate being ordered around and especially from you!" she retorted irritated by his attitude and turned to go into the sitting area but all breath left her body as she found herself being pushed against the wall, his hand clamping against her mouth.
"You love being ordered around by me puss," he murmured his eyes twinkling knowingly and she blushed to deep red.
"Try to contradict me and I'll prove to you right here only." He said meaningfully his gaze sweeping down her face in a leisurely caress making her shiver with anticipation and a sudden desire coursed through her veins lighting every nerve ending of her body making her all too aware of his tall, dangerous body, of his smoldering eyes searing her from the dark. He removed his hand hearing the frantic beating of her heart as it thudded against her chest and tucked a lock of her hair that had come free, behind her ear taking his time and looked at her as she breathed in sharply at his touch. They did not know for how long they stood there staring at each other, taking their fill of the person they had loved and lived with for two years and then parted ways, reflecting over the nagging thoughts that raced through their minds that could they ever cover the gap of three years that lay between them? It was not until a passing car in the street honk did the two come out of their trance.
"I'll...I'll make it for you. The sitting area is down the hall," she managed after a while breaking her gaze away from him. Her insides churning like an Atlantic crossing, Heer moved away putting as much distance between them as possible because at that moment she simply didn't trust herself from doing something that she would have to regret later on.
Switching on the lights, she put her purse on one of the plush burgundy sofas and made her way towards the kitchen grateful when he didn't follow her. This wasn't right. He shouldn't be here, she thought putting the kettle to boil. After all these years, they had nothing to say to each other. Whatever that had happened in the past was done. There could be no ramifications and well she had her own life now and he is. And they were pretty content with the way things were. At least he was because she knew that her life lacked something and she knew what it was though she never admitted it to herself because what use could it be of? She was the one who had abandoned him and gone ahead with her life with a purpose to fulfill her dreams and only then she had realized that her purpose, her life was with him. it had always been with the man who had her heart but then it had been too late. She had hurt him and left him for her goals. She had claimed her love to him and yet she had just taken off for dreams that she had always thought of fulfilling with him and now He had moved on and she was still there at that point where she had left him and was afraid that if she ever came back in his life, she would again hurt him and leave him for one thing or another. She no longer trusted herself in love. It's no use to think of all this Heer, he wouldn't want you back, she thought dejectedly as she stirred the warm liquid and then picking up the two steaming mugs, she walked back towards the sitting room but found it empty. Frowning slightly she looked around and as the cool breeze caressed her body she realized that he had gone out into the balcony and sure enough she could see him looking at the panorama of the beautiful city of Chicago. The tapping of her heels against the marble floor made him aware of her presence and he turned smiling taking the cup from her outstretched hand.
"It's beautiful out here," he said leaning on his elbows against the railings. "I see that you have pampered yourself well with all of your favorite flowers."
"Yes. I purchased this place mainly because of the beautiful view it offered. As for the flowers, I have always had a weakness for them."
"Your sweet peas are flourishing excellently at home," he said quietly taking a sip of his coffee.
"I'Thank you for taking care of them," she replied touched that he had taken care of her plants she had so lovingly planted in their garden.
"You don't have to thank me. They were all that was left of you. You simply took off. Vanished after our fight."
"We didn't have anything to say to each other after what happened and I didn't want to stay there. Not anymore," she replied looking down.
"Why? did it make you nervous that I would come looking for you and force you to marry me? I didn't know that you thought so low of me Heer," he said quietly sarcasm underlying his voice.
"No' it was something else that scared me," she said softly looking up at him. "That you wont come looking."
Silence followed this confession and they looked at each other, their eyes naked with need and hurt. Tears glistened in Heer's eyes as she looked away and took a deep breath to calm herself down. She couldn't break in front him. She wouldn't let him see how weak she was. She was a strong woman to everyone and she wouldn't loose herself in front of him.
"Heer look at me," Prem whispered nearing towards her. Turning her in his arms, he took the cup away from her placing it on a table nearby and cupped her face making her look at him.
"I looked everywhere for you. There was not a day when I didn't think about you. For months I kept calling your friends to ask them whether they had any clue to your whereabouts. Why darling? You know that I loved you and I would have never forced you into anything, you didn't have to run away like that. I would have let you live your life the way you wanted to live. I wouldn't have stopped you," he whispered his heart giving a painful lurch as unshed tears glistened in her eyes.
"I was afraid. I didn't know what I wanted at that time. I was too confused. And when I did realize what I wanted' it was too late. You had moved on and I'"
"Who told you that I had moved on? Heer there was never a day when I didn't think about you. Sweetheart I love you. How can you think that I can ever forget you?" Prem replied achingly.
"But Olivia and' all those women that you dated'"
"Heer you yourself know that I was merely pulling your leg, and I didn't date anyone after you left," Prem replied rolling his eyes at her and grinned as she glared at him swatting his hand away as he caressed her face.
'Then what took you both so long? You were in the garden for an awfully long time if you ask me," she said her eyes flashing with uncontrolled jealousy as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Heer, she only wanted to talk to me about the project Mr. Bevelstoke and I were working on. She was uncertain about the people we were dealing with and merely wanted to share her opinion with me away from her father's sharp ears as Richard is very adamant on getting this deal signed," Prem replied with a shrug of his shoulders and when Heer continued to look dubious he moved closer to her cupping her face, glad when she didn't pull away.
"Heer I have always loved you and you alone," he sighed. "From the moment I laid my eyes on you, I have loved you from all my heart and soul, believe me. I speak of nothing but the truth. Its you I have always loved," he whispered against her lips, his fingers sinking into her hair as he leaned in and kissed her cheeks raining soft kisses over the soft planes of her face making her melt in his arms.
"Prem' its.. its too late now. You have your own life now and I have my own and I am happy with the way things are," she replied shakily removing his hands from her face and pulled away making to go away when he pulled her furiously against his chest his arms binding her own in a vice like grip behind her back. "You are happy? If you are so happy then why do I see tears in your eyes? Why were you so jealous at the party when I was out with another woman? You have never in your life had hard drinks then why were you drinking? Why did it even matter to you whatever I did with any other woman except for you? " he said furiously tightening his arms around her when she tried to break away.
"You are hurting me," Heer gasped out struggling against him and stumbled when he let go of her immediately and stepped back when he moved towards her, his eyes glinting with barely suppressed rage.
"Tell me Heer, has there been a single moment when you have not missed me? One moment when you have not cried thinking about the time we spent together? All those vows of love, those unfulfilled dreams and promises, those moments of love, when we laughed and cried together' tell me that not for once did you recall everything and even today you cant help but love it when I touch you or come near you," he said his voice dangerously low as he walked her backwards and much to her disappointment Heer felt the cold wall behind her. She had nowhere to go.
"I don't recall anything. Your presence doesn't affect me in the least," she replied unconvincingly.
"It doesn't? Then why do you become so nervous whenever I come near you? Why does your heart accelerate and your breathing turns shallow whenever I touch you or even kiss you? If I don't mean anything to you, then say that you never loved me'" he said silkily rubbing his thumb against her jaw feeling the jolt that passed through her at the mere caress.
"Say that you don't feel anything when I touch you that my coming in your perfectly organized life meant nothing to you, that if I go away right now, you won't miss me. You won't stop me. You wont even think about me or whatever that happened between us today. Say it Heer. It would be so easy for you," he whispered looking to her eyes that looked back at him glazed with unshed tears.
"Prem please don't make this hard," she whispered hurting from inside.
"I am not making this hard, its you who have bound yourself in your meaningless priorities and wont think ahead of them. you said that you don't care so why not agree to all the things that I said right now. I'll leave," he said silently.
"I cant Prem," she whispered looking at him and closed her eyes as tears leaked out of her lashes.
"Why cant you?" his voice merely above a whisper.
"Because I love you" she whispered achingly, looking at him and his heart missed a beat as he looked in her eyes that shone with love and pain for him. He could see every tear that clung to her eyelashes, speaking more than her words could.
"I have always loved you. Don't you understand? I hurt you. I left you for my petty dreams. I broke the vows I made to you in one moment of anger and pride and now' how can I go with you only to hurt you again for some another thing. I lost faith in myself Prem and I can't. I don't want to hurt you again. You don't deserve a selfish woman like me. You deserve some one better' some one who can love you and not leave you like I did'" she whispered but the rest of her words were drowned as he leaned in captured her lips in a fiery kiss. Lightening exploded in both of their bodies as their lips met and without thinking Heer twisted against him increasing the sweet pleasure kissing him back with same fervor. He deepened the kiss, his powerful arms cradling her, one hand sliding down to cup her bottom while the other sank in her hair pulling her tightly against his chest the intoxicating heat from his fingers seeping through her gown and onto her skin branding her as his.
"Heer you can never hurt me," Prem whispered hoarsely as they broke apart gasping for air. Cupping her face gently into his Prem looked into her dazed eyes.
"Heer. I waited for you for three years and I'll wait for you for the rest of my life. You never hurt me sweetheart. You never can, what happened was not entirely your fault. We were both young and hot headed and now things are different. We can make this work. Trust me' we can. I love you and I trusted you with my heart here years ago and I still do," he said looking deeply into her eyes, trying to convince her that she was wrong.
"Have faith in our love. I promise you. We'll make this work out all right. And if you want me to wait I will. I wont come in between your career. I know how important your dreams are for you and I don't want you to give up anything for me. No. I want you to be happy and deep in your heart you know that you'll be happy with me. I know you better than you know yourself sweetheart and I'll do whatever you want me to even if it's to go away right now but I wont stop loving you," he whispered touching her forehead with his.
"How can you love me so much?" she said softly looking up to his face.
"I just do sweetheart, I didn't have an answer when I first met you and even today I don't," Prem replied with a smile and tightened his arms around her as she hugged him, crying into his shoulder.
"I missed you so much," she cried moving her hands over his back, her fingers clutching the crisp hair on his nape in a fierce caress.
"Shhh' I missed you more," he murmured against her hair moving his hands soothingly over her back holding her to him, murmuring words of love to her. When she calmed down, Prem pulled back slightly and wiped her tears away.
"We'll always be together wont we?"
"Yes, we will be," Prem answered tenderly, his eyes twinkling with love for the woman in front of him and grinned as she blushed looking down.
"Meet me tomorrow?" he murmured tipping her chin up. "How about lunch?' and smiled as she nodded her head, her face glowing.
"I'd better go now," he said reluctantly, taking his hands away from her face. "See you tomorrow then."
Leaving an affectionate kiss on her forehead for one last time, Prem turned away and was about to go out when her soft hand slipped into his large one stopping him in his wake.
"Prem," she called out softly from behind and looked down at their linked hands, interlacing her fingers with his as he turned. Prem looked down at their entwined hands and raised his gaze to look at her.
"Stay," she said shyly raising her wide eyes to look at him, her fingers tightening around his of their own accord and blushed as a smile came onto his face. Everything was forgotten as they closed the distance in between themselves and the cocooning silence of the night was filled with whispers of love and devotion. The full moon in its entire splendor shone down on the two lovers blessing them and bearing witness to a union of souls as they breathed life in each other and taught each other the art of loving and living again.
~******~******~******~******~
O Humnava Tum Dena Saath Mera
Cricket
Anupamaa
