Pyaar Ki Yeh Dastaan III:Last Chap Page 88 Aug6th - Page 32

Chapter 71

                She knocked on the door and it moved ajar. When there was no response, she opened the door and walked in. She saw her sleeping on the couch with her book still open in her hand. She took it and put it on the table. "yeh toh sohrahi hai main aabh kya karoon? Maine soocha tha keh aaj ashlesha se baat karke yeh saari problems khatam hojayengi lekin aabh main isse utha bhi toh nahi sakthi," heer thought as she stood there looking at her sister. She just wanted ash to be happy and she knew that she will never be happy without preet. She felt hurt that she couldn't complete her responsibility of an older sister. As a sister, she had always protected ash from all troubles, but she couldn't save her from such a big sorrow of her life. And more importantly she was the reason for all this. No matter how much prem told her otherwise, somewhere deep down, her heart felt this pain…an unknown pain. Composing herself, she left the room.  Later, she decided to go to the kitchen and get water for her room. As she walked into the living room, she saw balraj near the balcony. She walked up to him to see that he was staring the playground in the rear of the house. Feeling her hand on his shoulder, he came out of his thoughts. "aap abhi tak sohi nahi baba?" she asked. "nahi beta neend nahi aarahi hai bas sooch raha tha keh bas teen dino mein ashlesha bhi mujhe chodkeh chale jayegi phir main toh akela hojaunga," he said sadly. "please baba aisa mat kahiye…hum aapse kitne bhi door hojaye aapke paas hamesha rahenge," she said as she took a seat in front of him. He smiled, "mujhe aaj bhi yaad hai jab dono itni si thi aur yehi khela karti thi aur aaj dekho tumari shaadi hochuki hai aur ash ki shaadi hone wali hai. Waqt jaise aankh japak teh nikal gaya," balraj said as he remembered past memories.  "aap saach kehrahe hai baba…mujhe yaad hai jab ash har baat mujhe dekh dekh keh waise hi karti thi aur aaj woh itni baadi hogayi hai keh uski shaadi horahi hai," heer said happy and sad at the same time. "ha meri doh titliya aabh mujhe chodkeh chali jayengi," balraj said as he caressed heer's hair. "baba…main aapse kuch poocho?" heer asked. "ha heer bolna," he said. "baba agar mujhse ya ashlesha se kohi galati hojaye toh kya aap hume maaf kardenge?" heer asked. "aisi kohi galati thi nahi hoti jisse maaf nahi kia jasaktha. Agar galati thi ho bhi jaye toh usse sudaar bhi toh sakthe hai," balraj said. "aur agar kohi galati sudaar ne bahut dher chukhi hai toh hum kaise kuch kare," heer said confused. "agar tum galati karte ho toh uss galati koh chupa ne kehliye tume jhoot bolna padtha hai aur agar tum jhoot bol teh ho toh tum na sirf apne aap koh takleef dehte ho par kissi aur insaan koh bhi aur yeh haq tume nahi hai," balraj explained as heer sat there thinking. Balraj was right, she thought. By lying, ash was not only hurting her and preet, but also rajveer who had nothing to do with all this. Rajveer was innocent and yet he will suffer when he will find out the truth about ash and preet. Heer knew that rajveer loved ashlesha ever since they were kids. She remembered when rajveer would do anything to make ashlesha his wife when they played the game of ghar ghar as kids. And when his dream of so many years will be broken then he would be shattered. "heer…kya huwa? Tu achanak yeh sabh kyun pooch rahi hai?" balraj asked bringing her out of thoughts. "nahi baba…kuch nahi…bas aise hi," heer said. "accha aabh jaa sohja…jab se aayi hai tab se kuch na kuch kaam karahi hai…aabh aaram karle, kal jaldi bhi toh utna hai mehendi haina," balraj told her. "jee baba…aap bhi jaake sohjaye warna aapki tabeyat karaab hojayegi," heer said and balraj nodded. Saying good night, heer left as balraj sat there thinking about the next few days that will bring loads of happiness but with that, a few tears of separation.

                The night passed and the sun welcomed in the new morning. She opened her eyes to feel the warm sun against her skin and the peace in the room. She sat up to see her husband and kids still sleeping. Minutes later, she quickly freshened up and changed into a pink sari and left the room. Walking into the kitchen, she saw that breakfast wasn't ready and decided to make breakfast for everyone as she hasn't gotten a chance in so long. She started to make breakfast and she didn't even know how time passed away so fast. As she was arranging the food on the table, she felt his strong arms encircle her waist. She smiled, "good morning!" she said to him. "good morning wifey," he said placing a kiss on her cheek. "prem…kya karahe ho? Kohi aajayega," she said. "tum na India waapas aake bahut boring hogayi ho," he said. "kya? Tum kehna kya chathi ho?" she asked. "yaha wapaas aake maine soocha keh tum purani baatein aur yaadein sooch kar romantic hojaogi aur tum hoke yaha khaana bana rahi ho," prem said in a sarcastic tone. "very funny…yeh toh accha hai keh prateek aur chahat thake huwe hai aur aabhi tak sohrahe hai issliye soocha sabh kehliye breakfast bana do," heer said. "accha jaldi se khaana lagao…bahut bhook lagrahi hai," he said. "bas kuch dher aur sabh koh neeche aaja ne doh phir," she said. "kal raat ash se baat ki…kya kaha usne?" he asked. "nahi kal raat baat nahi ho paayi toh main aabh baat karongi nashte keh baad," heer told him. "tum theek toh hogi na," he said. "tume lagtha hai woh maan jayegi?" she asked unsure. "tum phir fikar karne lagi…don't worry…sabh theek hojayegi…tum shanti se baat karo aur ash koh samaja leyna," prem said. "kya tume lagtha hai keh mujhe baba se baat karleni chahiye," heer said. "nahi heer…agar tum aisa karogi toh ash koh tum par se baroosa uthjayega aur rishton mein vishwaas bahut mushkil se banaya jaata hai," prem said as heer stood there confused what she should do so she can handle the situation without making it worse.  "tum ek baar ashlesha se baat kar lo aur phir bhi baat nahi banti hai toh hum dono baba se unn dono keh baare mein baat karenge…ok?" he said and she nodded. Just then, all the family members arrived at the table for breakfast. As the family members ate the breakfast happily together, heer noticed preet and ash stealing glances at each other. "aaj aakri din hai preet…aaj keh baad main shayad aisa tume chup keh dekh bhi nahi sakungi. Aaj shaam kissi aur keh naam ki mehendi mere haathon mein lagjayegi aur main kissi aur ki dulhan hojaungi. Paata nahi keh main zindagi bar tumare bina kaise rehpaungi magar I just hope that tume kohi miljaye joh tume mujhse bhi zyaada pyaar kare ya at least tum peh mujhse zyaada baroosa kare," she thought as she nibbled at her food, not really feeling like eating it. He saw her looking at him and he remembered the moments they have spent together…the fights, the trips, the cozy moments, the moments they hid from the family to steal a moment of togetherness. "main tumse pyaar toh bahut karta tha ash lekin aaj main tumse pyaar se zyaada izzat karne laaga hoon. Tum saach jaan ne keh baad bhi tumari family ki izzat aur khushi kehliye tumari puri zindagi dau peh laaga rahi ho. Lekin main itna strong nahi hoon keh tume jaane do. Main tume paake rahunga aur usskehliye main kuch bhi karunga," he thought. They both loved each other and wanted to be with each other, but they loved their families and their happiness more. They couldn't just think about themselves alone…there were other lives that were linked to them. It was too late and now they had left all to fate.

                After breakfast, the family members started the preparations for the mehendi and the soon to be wedding. As ash was about to go back to her room, heer stopped her at the stairs. "mujhe tujhse kuch baat karni hai," heer said. "ha heer bol na," ash said. "yaha nahi…andar chalthe hai…mujhe tumse preet keh baare mein baat karni hai," heer said as ash became uncomfortable. "mujhe uske baare main baat nahi karna chathi," ash said. "mere saath andar chal…hum baat karte hai," heer told her. "please heer…joh kuch bhi baat karni thi woh already ho chuki hai. Sabh khatam hogaya hai," ash said trying to be strong to show her sister that she was over preet and that she has moved on. "tu khabhi badlegi nahi na…bachpan mein bhi ziddi thi aur aaj tak bhi waisi hi hai," heer said getting mad at ash. Before the conversation could continue, they heard the door bell ring. They both walked up to the door and heer opened it. "aunty aap?" heer said seeing rajveer's mom. "namastey aunty," ash said as she bent down to take aashirward. "jeete raho puttar," the lady said. Heer greeted rajveer's mom and invited her in. "nahi nahi heer puttar…main tujhe hi dekhne aayi thi…accha hai tum milgayi…main tujhe hi leyne aayi thi…chal mere saath," the lady said. "lekin kuljeet aunty…main kaha chalo?" heer asked confused. "puttar…mujhe ashlesha kehliye shopping karna hai aur tujhse accha iski pasand kyon jaanega," kuljeet said. "lekin aunty mujhe yaha bahut saari tyaari ya karni hai…main aapke saath kal chalo toh," heer said as she desperately needed to talk to her sister which was way more important than shopping. "aise kaise puttar aaj mehendi haina toh maine soocha keh ashlesha kehliye kuch leylo," kuljeet said. Heer could see kuljeet getting disappointed. Right then, balraj came into the living room. "kuljeet behenji…aayiye na. baitiye," balraj told her. "nahi bhai saab phir khabhi…main toh heer koh leyne aayi thi par lagtha hai keh nahi aapayegi," kuljeet said. "kyun heer…kya huwa?" balraj said. Heer felt stuck. On one side, she had to talk to ash now and on the other, she didn't want to put balraj in doubts about anything. "nahi baba woh bas tyaari ya karni thi aur prateek aur chahat koh bhi samal na tha toh," heer mumbled. "uski chinta tum mat karo heer…main chahat aur prateek koh samalongi," ash said as she wanted to escape from talking to heer. Heer wanted to disappear from there that moment…she wished prem hadn't gone out with kiran for some arrangements. She had no choice so she agreed.  During shopping, heer tried to hurry up things but kuljeet went to ten shops, looked for hours, and then chose 2 saris. By the time, they returned from shopping it was just an hour before the mehendi ceremony. As soon as she returned, heer went to ash's room in the pretense of showing her the dresses.

                Heer entered the room to see some girls helping ash get ready. "aap sabh jao…main baaki ka dekhlongi," heer said and the girls left. Heer smiled looking at her little sister. She looked beautiful today, heer thought. Dressed in a mehendi green ghagra with golden sequins and her hair was tied up in a bun. The jewelry was still left to add. "bahut pyaari lagrahi ho," heer said as she caressed her sister's cheek. Ash smiled, "tum aabh aarahi ho…kabh se tumara intezaar karahi ho. Jaake ready hoja…jaldi," she said. "main ready hojaongi par phele mujhe tumse baat karni hai," heer told her. "heer…please main jaanti ho keh tum kya baat karna chathi ho…please aabh baat karne kehliye kuch bacha nahi hai," ash stated. "ash…yeh kya pagal pan hai…tum sirf tumari nahi doh aur zindagi ya bhi barbaad karahi hai," heer said. "heer…maine kaha na bahut dher hogayi hai aur main meri galati kehliye dusro koh kyun saza doh…yeh galat hai," ash said. "usse baadi galati yeh hai keh tu apni saari zindagi ka faisla aise jald baazi aur usse mein leyrahi hai," heer said. Ash didn't want to talk about this situation. The more she did, the more old memories haunted her. "tu toh jaanti bhi nahi hai keh mere aur preet keh beech kya huwa hai aur waise bhi yeh meri zindagi hai isska main kya karoon meri marzi," ash said angrily. Heer looked at her shocked, but more hurt, "ha tu toh aabh baadi hogayi haina toh aabh main kyon hoon keh tume kuch kaho. Main sabh jaanti hoon keh tumare aur preet keh beech kya huwa tha aur kyun huwa tha. Maine soocha keh meri wajase yeh sabh huwa hai toh main sabh theek kardongi par shayad main hi galat thi," she said as teard filled her eyes. Ash felt bad…she didn't want to hurt heer. She was just mad and blurted out stuff without meaning anything. "heer…mera woh matlab nahi tha…I am sorry. Main toh bas. Please heer tu roh mat," ash said as she felt guilty. "main theek hoon…tu ready hoja…main bhi jaati hoon," heer said as she decided to leave. "tu ne bhi toh apne parivaar kehliye apni zindagi dau peh lagayi thi na toh jab wohi faisla maine liya hai toh tujhe aisa kyun lagtha hai keh main galat karahi hoon?" ash asked. Hearing what ashlesha said, she stopped at the door. She turned around to face her sister, "theek kaha tu ne maine apni zindagi dau peh lagayi thi lekin uski waja mere parivaar ki khushi thi. Prem bacche chatha tha aur main apne pyaar ki nishaaniya iss duniya mein laana chathi thi. Tujhe paata hai ghar keh saare log bahut khush teh aur main meri wajase unki khushi nahi cheena chathi thi lekin joh tum karahi ho usse kisiko koh khushi nahi milegi. Jab baba koh paata chalega keh tumne sirf issliye shaadi ki taaki tum unne khushi dehsako ya jab rajveer koh paata chalega keh tum kissi aur se pyaar karti ho lekin tum uski patni ho toh unn peh kya bitegi. Please ash apne aap koh dhoka dena band karo," heer told her sister. "aur agar tujhe kuch hojatha toh kya tabh bhi sabh itne hi khush hote jitne aaj hai?" ash asked as heer looked at her with no replies. "saach kehrahi hai tu lekin main jaha bhi hoti khush hoti keh mera parivaar koh unki khushiya milgayi lekin agar tume abhi bhi lagtha hai keh tum sahi ho toh main baba se hi baat karlongi," heer said as she started to leave the room. "heer…tume meri kasam rukja…baba koh kuch mat kehna," ash said. Hearing her words, her feet stopped. She turned around to look at her sister. "tu aisa kyun karahi ho?" heer said feeling helpless. "I am sorry heer," ash said as she looked at her. "so am I," heer said as she left the room with tears rolling down her cheeks.

                He walked out of the bathroom to see her come into the room with tears in her eyes. "heer…kya huwa hai?" he asked as he quickly walked up to her. "hum itne majboor kyun hai prem? Kyun hum kuch nahi karsakthe?" she asked knowing that they both didn't have the answer for that question. "tumari ash se baat ki? Kya kaha usne?" prem asked. "baat ki aur samjane keh bhi khosish ki lekin usne mujhe kasam dehdi hai keh main baba koh kuch na batao," heer said sadly. "par hume baba koh toh batana hi padega na warna shaadi kaise rukegi?" prem said. "kuch toh karna hi padega," heer said. "hum kuch sooch teh hai," prem said as they both started thinking. Just then, someone knocked on the door and they saw meher walk in. "aree bhabhi…aap abhi ready nahi huwe. Neeche sabh aap koh doond rahe hai," meher said. "unse kaho main bas thodi dher mein aati hoon," heer said. "jaldi aana baba bhula rahe hai," meher told her and left. "tum jaake ready hojao…main tabh tak kuch karta hoon," prem said and heer left to get dressed. She was almost dressed, just had to add the earrings. Someone knocked on the door and she went to open it. "tum? tum yaha kyun aaye ho?" she asked as she pulled him inside before someone could see. "main tumse baat karna chatha hoon," he told her. "preet…thodi dher mein meri mehendi hai aur tum yaha…kohi dekh leyga…tum yaha se chale jao," she said. "nahi ash main yaha se nahi jaane wala hoon na hi main yeh mehendi hone dunga," preet said as ash looked at him shocked. "preet…tum pagal hogaye ho kya? Kya kehrahe ho?" she asked. "saach kehraha hoon main. Meri itni choti si galati kehliye tum mujhe itni baadi saza kyun dehrahi ho?" he said. "preet main jaanti hoon keh tumare saath joh horaha theek nahi hai lekin main kya karoon preet, main majboor ho," she said. "ha main toh bhul hi gaya tha keh tum toh apne beti aur hone wali bahu ka farz aada karahi thi par ek baat poocho ash inn sabh mein main kaha aata hoon? kya tum mujhse khabhi pyaar bhi karti thi ya nahi?" preet said angrily. "preet please tum aisa mat bolo tum jaante ho keh main tumse pyaar karti hoon… bahut pyaar. Agar humare beech woh galat faimi nahi hoti toh aaj hum dono ki shaadi horahi hoti lekin bhagwan koh kohi aur hi marzi thi," she replied. "tum agar ek baar meri baat sunle thi toh aaj shayad tumare haathon mein kissi aur ki mehendi nahi lagrahi hoti," he said. "I know preet aur main jaanti hoon keh yeh sabh meri gusse se huwa hai aur sirf sorry bhul keh kuch nahi hosaktha ," she said. "main yaha aise khade reha kar chup nahi rehne wala…tumari shaadi sirf aur sirf mujhse hogi," he told her.  "preet please party mein kuch mat karna…hum baad mein baat karte hai," she said. "maine bahut intezaar karliya ash…mujhse aur nahi hota," he said as he stormed out of the room without listening to her calling for him. He didn't want to do this. He had waited patiently for her to take time and understand and decide, but he couldn't take it anymore. He wasn't going to let his love be taken away from him in front of his eyes and not do anything. He didn't know how far he will go, but he will take his bride away, only him.

As he saw her walk out of the bathroom dressed in a peacock green ghagra with a contrast purple choli. She had braided her hair and added matching jewelry that increased her beauty.  Everything was fine except there was one thing missing. He walked up to her and started to stare at her. "kya huwa? Tum aise kyun dekh rahe ho?" she asked. He turned her to face the mirror, "tume nahi lagtha keh kuch missing hai," he said. "kya? Sabh toh theek hai?" she said as she checked herself in the mirror. "tumari khoobsurti yeh ghagre ya jewelry se nahi, tumari hassi se hai," he said as he pulled her cheeks to smile. "dar lagraha hai," she told him. "heer…tum dar kyun rahi ho. Dekho agar aaj preet ya ashlesha baba se kuch nahi kehte toh mehendi keh baad hum khud sabh se baat karenge, hum saach baata denge," he told her. "sabh theek toh hojayega na?" she asked unsure. "ha hojayega…aur iske chances pakke hai jab tum dil se muskuraogi," he told her. Listening to his words, a smile crept up on her face. "yeh huwi na baat…aabh aise hi muskurate huwe rehna main saari problems solve karlonga," he said to her. She threw herself in his arms, "thank you prem…thank you so much meri zindagi mein aane kehliye warna paata nahi yeh sabh main kaise handle kar paati," she said. "meri heer sabh handle karsakthi hai sirf thodi si emotional hai lekin bahut bahadur bhi hai. Aabh mujhe tumare chehre par kohi pareshaani nahi dekhna hai…keep smiling," he said and she nodded. Even though he had told her that everything will be fine and that he will handle it. In honest truth, he didn't know what to do either. There were many options like they could tell baba the truth, or rajveer the truth or his family or the juneja family, but which was the right way was the question that no one had answers to. "chale?" she asked bringing him out of his thoughts. "ha…chalo," he said and they left the room.  As they reached downstairs, balraj came up to them, "tum dono koh ek saath pure parivaar keh saath dekar bahut accha lagraha hai," he said as all the family members smiled. Prem and heer smiled at each other as they bent down to take balraj's aashirwaad. "hamesha khush raho," balraj said happily. At that moment, kuljeet walked up to them, "aree heer yehi tumare bacche haina?" she asked. "jee aunty. Yeh humari chahat and yeh prateek hai," heer told her. "bahut hi pyaare hai dono," kuljeet said. "thanks aunty. Raj nahi aaya? Kaha hai woh?" heer asked. "aaya haina puttar woh upar gaya hai ashlesha  kehliye kuch gift laaya tha," kuljeet said as heer looked at prem. He motioned his eyes telling her it will be ok. Just then, they saw rajveer walking down the stairs. "yeh lo raj aagaya," kulraj said. "kya huwa beta? Tumne ashlesha koh tohfa deh diya?" kuljeet said. "nahi ma, woh ready horahi thi," he said. "heer waqt horaha hai…tum ashlesha koh ley aao," balraj told her. "jee baba," heer said as she gave chahat to gayatri and went upstairs. Walking into the room, she saw ashlesha sitting on the bed. "tumne sooch toh liya haina ash keh tu kya karahi hai?" heer asked making sure. "aabh faisla mere raha hi nahi heer…aabh toh sabh upar wale peh chodiya hai," ash replied. "matlab? Kya huwa? Tere aur baba keh beech kuch baat?" heer asked and ash interrupted, "nahi heer…lekin meri aur preet ki baat huwi thi," she said. "kya kaha preet ne?" heer questioned. "kuch nahi heer…chal na…baar baar yeh baat karne se sirf takleef badthi hai," ash said and walked out. Heer caught up with her and both the sisters walked down the stairs.

He heard her bangle tingle, her payal jingle, and her lily perfume reached his nose. He looked up to see her descending down the stairs. As she looked up, her eyes meet his and she saw an unknown fear and anger visible in her eyes. She felt scared what he was going to do and she just hoped that he didn't do anything in front of the guests. He saw a deep sorrow in her eyes that she might hide from everyone else but not from him. He felt so helpless. The person he always wanted to keep happy was sad today and he couldn't do anything. As heer bought her down and made ashlesha sit in the middle of the hall, the thought of her being someone else's pinched his heart. He can't do this. He wasn't strong enough. He had to fight for her and he will, no matter what happens. He walked up to lalit, "babuji mujhe aapse kuch zaroori baat karni hai…aap mere saath chaliye na," he said. "preet…tujhe iss waqt kya baat karni hai? hum baad mein baat karenge…accha nahi lagtha," lalit said. "par babuji please mujhe abhi aap se baat karni hai…please chaliye na," preet said pleadingly. "itna bol raha hai toh kuch urgent hoga…aap jayiye na," gayatri said who was standing next to lalit. "ma…aap bhi aayiye na please…mujhe aap se bhi baat karni hai," preet said. "lekin preet hum agar aise chale jayenge toh sabh kya kahenge?" gayatri stated. "ma please chaliye na…bas paanch minute lagenge…chaliye na babuji," preet said as he took lalit and gayatri inside a room away from the party. "sabh theek haina preet? Tu iss taara yaha lekar kyun aaya hai?" gayatri asked concerned. "mujhe aap dono se bahut hi zaroori baat karni hai. please naraaz mat hona," preet said. "tu kabh se yehi keh raha hai…batana ne kya baat hai?" lalit said getting impatient. He closed his eyes remembering every moment that he had spent with her…their first meeting…their fights…the moments they spent with each other…the night that they confessed their love…the night all this broke apart. "ma babuji main kissi se pyaar karta hoon," preet said as both lalit and gayatri looked at him surprised.  "tu kissi se pyaar karta hai? kyon hai woh ladki?" gayatri asked. "ma woh mere aur uske beech ladayi hogayi thi issliye hum bahut dino se baat nahi karahe hai," preet told them. "par woh hai kyon? Aur tu yeh sabh hume aabh kyun baata raha hai?" lalit asked confused. "kya woh yaha india mein hai?" gayatri asked. "ha…woh bahar hai," preet said. "accha…kyon hai woh?" gayatri asked excitedly. "ek minute gayatri…preet tu saach mein usse pyaar karti haina? Aisa toh nahi na keh tu hamesha ki taara aisi hi," lalit said. "nahi babuji aisa nahi hai. main saach mein usse pyaar karta hoon aur usse shaadi karna chatha hoon," preet said seriously. "aisa hai toh main usse baat karonga aur tumari shaadi bhi karwaunga. Baata kyon hai woh?" lalit said as preet gained confidence seeing that his father was supporting him. Now, nothing can go wrong. His father was there and with his help, he can do anything! "woh ladki jisse main pyaar karta hoon woh…woh ashlesha hai," preet said as both his parents looked at him shocked, "kya?" they both said in unison.

"kya? Tu yeh kya kehraha hai?" she asked shocked. "ha ma mujhe yeh shaadi nahi karni," he told everyone as everyone looked stunned. "par rajveer huwa kya hai? tum shaadi koh thod rahe ho?" balraj asked worried. "aapki beti mujhse pyaar nahi karti," rajveer stated as ashlesha looked at him shocked. "kya? Kya matlab?" balraj asked. "main saach kehraho…aap poochiye na ashlesha se…ashlesha?" he said as he turned to face ash. Ashlesha stood up and prem and heer moved next to her as if supporting her. "please raj…yaha nahi," ashlesha said to raj. "kyun ash? Agar usse pyaar karti ho toh kya tum itne logo keh saamne kehi bhi nahi sakthi?" he asked. "ashlesha raj kiske baare mein baat karaha hai? kya tum kissi aur se pyaar karti ho?" balraj asked as ash looked at him scared. She then looked at heer and heer encouraged her to tell him the truth. "baba…main kissi aur se pyaar karti hoon," ash confessed as balraj looked at her shocked. "yeh tum kya kehrahi ho ash? Tum kissi aur se pyaar karti ho toh mujhe baataya kyun nahi?" balraj asked. "yeh sabh kya horaha hai bhai saab agar aapki beti kissi aur se pyaar karti hai toh usne humare bete koh jhoote sapne kyun dekhaye?" kuljeet asked to which no one had the answer. Finally, ash spoke up, "iss mein mere baba ki kohi galati nahi hai saari galati meri hai. maine baba koh saach nahi bataya…please baba koh blame mat kijiye," she said. "accha aur tumne mere bete keh dil se khela uska kya?" prashant asked. "I am sorry uncle…I am very sorry," ash said with tears in her eyes. "ha ash…tumne sorry kehdiya aur sabh theek hojayega. Main tumse tabh se pyaar karta hoon jab se shayad mujhe pyaar ka matlab paata bhi nahi tha," rajveer said looking at her. "Main jaanti hoon rajveer maine tumare saath joh kiya woh bahut galat hai aur uskehliye maafi kaafi nahi hai. Par yeh saach hai keh main tume mera dost maanti ho aur hamesha maanti rahongi. Jab humari misunderstanding huwi thi jab mujhe ek dost ki zaroorat thi aur tum woh dost teh and I am really sorry that I gave you any wrong intentions, I never meant it. At the same time, I could never forget him. I tried but I couldn't," ashlesha honestly told him. "it's ok…main jaanta hoon keh phele pyaar koh bhulana kitna muskhil hai," he said sadly. Ashlesha felt guilt punch through her heart. If it wasn't for her anger, all this wouldn't be happening today. "yeh aapne accha nahi kiya? Humari itni baadi beh izzati ki aur humare bete koh dhoka diya…main aap logo koh chodonga nahi," prashant said mad. "dad please…chaliye," raj said. "lekin raj," kuljeet said. "mom please…chaliye. Mujhe kissi se kohi shikayat nahi hai. I just wish you a happy life ahead," rajveer said as he turned to look at her. Within seconds, rajveer, his family, and all the relatives left the house. Balraj looked at ashlesha, "ashlesha…mujhe abhi keh abhi baata keh woh kyon hai jisse tu pyaar karti hai?" he asked angrily. "baba woh main…I am sorry," ash replied. "naam ashlesha?" balraj said. Heer could see that balraj was extremely upset and mad so she decided to help ash out. "baba woh ashlesha ki galati nahi hai…woh bas dar gayi thi. Main aapko…," heer said when he interrupted, "heer mujhe kuch nahi sunna hai…main sirf naam jaan na chatha hoon," balraj said again. "ashlesha mujhse pyaar karti hai," someone said and they all turned to see preet. "tum?" balraj said surprised.

"jee baba ashlesha aur main ek dusre se bahut pyaar karte hai," preet said confidently as he looked at ash. Balraj couldn't believe it. The person his daughter loved was in front of his eyes all along and he couldn't recognize it. He couldn't see that his daughter wasn't happy with the man she was going to marry. What kind of father was he that he couldn't see that there was not even a glimpse of happiness in his daughter's eyes? How could he make such a big mistake? "hum bahut sharminda hai bhai saab…hume iss baare mein abhi abhi paata chala jab preet ne bataya," lalit said. "nahi bhai saab aap kyun sharminda horahe hai? Sharminda toh main ho keh main apni beti kehliye sahi faisla nahi karsaka…sahi faisla nahi karsaka," balraj said as tears filled his eyes. Seeing that, both ash and heer ran up to him and sat in front of him. "baba please aap rohiye mat…iss mein aapki kohi galati nahi hai, saari galati meri hai. Main hi apne pyaar peh baroosa nahi karsaki aur apne gusse mein apni dil ki baat nahi jaan saki. Jab tak mujhe paata chala keh mujhe kya chahiye tabh tak bahut dher hochuki thi," ashlesha told him. "kya tujhe mujh peh itna baroosa bhi nahi tha keh tune itna baada faisla akele hi leyliya. Kya tu khabhi khush rehe paati uss insaan keh saath jisse tu pyaar hi nahi karti?" he asked as ash looked at heer with no answers. "baba usse galati hogayi maaf bhi kardijiye na. Aap toh jaante haina keh jab ashlesha koh gussa aata hai toh woh kuch bhi sooch thi nahi hai," heer said. "ha bachpan se aisa hi toh hota hai. Jab bhi yeh galati karti hai tu usse bacha thi hai. Tu toh meri samaj daar beti haina toh kya mujhe saach nahi baata sakthi thi?" balraj asked heer. "baba woh main aapko sabh kuch phele hi baata dena chathi thi lekin ashlesha aur preet ne mujhse kasam lithi issliye main kasam kaise thod thi," heer honestly told him. "ha…tu toh apna kiya huwa vaada khabh nahi thod thi na?" balraj asked as heer smiled. "mujhse khabhi hota hi nahi. Maine aapse kaha tha na keh main ashlesha kehliye ek accha dulha doond keh laungi aur maine ma babuji se vaada kiya tha keh main preet kehliye aur humare ghar kehliye ek acchi patni aur bahu leke aaungi aur mujhe lagtha hai keh aaj maine dono vaade niba diye," heer said as balraj lovingly caressed her hair. Heer then stood up and looked at prem. Seeing her face, he knew that she was scared what lalit, gayatri, and everyone would say about what she has done. He motioned his eyes to talk to them and that everything will be fine. She moved forward, "main jaanti hoon keh meri waja se aap sabh koh bhi bahut takleef hoyiye hai par mera yakeen kijiye main sirf preet aur ashlesha ki khushi chathi thi. Main khabhi aap logo se kuch chupa nahi chathi thi. Please agar aap sabh koh mujhse kohi shikayat hai toh uski saza preet aur ashlesha koh mat dijiye, unka rishta kabool karlijiye please," heer said folding her hands in front of them. "nahi beta…tume maafi maang ne ki kohi zaroorat nahi hai. Itne dino mein hum yeh toh jaan gaye hai keh tum humare ghar ka bura nahi chathi ho. Aur tum toh humari beti hona aur betiya ghar ki lakshmiya hoti hai aur ghar ki lakshmi khabhi ghar ka bura nahi sooch thi," gayatri said as she gave heer a motherly hug. Prem smiled seeing the scene in front of him as he walked up to gayatri. He wrapped his hands around his mother as they stood together as a family.

Coming out of the hug, "toh ma kya aap koh aur babuji koh rishta manzoor hai?" heer asked. "hum ek minute mein aaye," gayatri said as her and lalit left the room and went upstairs. Everyone was confused and heer was worried at why they just left. Reaching their room, "tume kya lagtha hai gayatri kya preet koh saach mein pyaar hogaya hai?" lalit asked. "ha jee…preet koh iss baar saache pyaar ka ehsaas hogaya hai. Maine dekha hai jab woh ashlesha se door hogaya tha toh usne kaise jeena hi chodiya tha. Na woh hasta tha, na kuch bolta tha lekin jab aaj jab sabh theek hogaya hai aapne dekha na keh woh kitna khush hai," gayatri said happily. "aur tume lagtha hai keh ashlesha ek acchi bahu banegi?" lalit asked. "aap itni chinta kyun karahe hai. ashlesha acchi ladki hai…maana keh thoda gussa jaldi aaja tha hai lekin dil ki bahut acchi hai. Aapne dekha na keh usne apne parivaar keh izzat aur apne baba keh khushi kehliye yeh shaadi karne bhi tyaar hogayi thi," gayatri said. "ha woh toh hai. Bas mujhe yeh samaj mein nahi aata keh aisa kya hogaya unn dono keh beech keh itne dino se woh baat nahi karahe hai," lalit wondered. "joh hogaya usse jaane dijiye. Aapko kya lagtha hai keh balraj bhai saab rishte kehliye maan jayenge?" gayatri asked him. "Mujhe pura yakeen hai keh woh maan jayenge kyun woh bhi ashlesha ki khushi chathe hai jaise hum preet ki. Tum jaldi se thali tyaar karo…neeche chalthe hai," lalit said as they both smiled. Downstairs in the living room, "paata nahi ma babuji kya karahe hai? heer said to prem concenered. "heer acchi baat hi hogi, tum chinta mat karo," prem said to her. "lekin woh log aise hi chale gaye," heer said. "heer…woh dekho ma babuji," he said as he saw his parents come down. Everyone looked at gayatri curiously who was holding a thali with a red cloth over it. Walking up to balraj, "bhai saab hum apki beti ashlesha koh humare ghar ki choti bahu banana chathe hai…kya aap koh yeh rishta manzoor hai?" lalit asked as everyone smiled. Balraj looked at ashlesha who, as he could see, was clearly scared what he was going to say. Then, he looked at heer and she made a pleading face. Balraj smiled, "mujhe yeh rishta manzoor hai," he said as all the faces lit up with smiles. "baba…saach?" ash asked excitedly. He nodded smilingly and ash threw herself in his arms, "thank you baba…thank you so much…I love you!" ashlesha said as everyone laughed. "hum shaadi tabhi karsakthe hai jab honi wali thi aur hum mehendi aur sangeet kal karlenge…kyun bhai saab?" lalit said. "ha ha kyun nahi? Waise bhi pandit-ji ne kaha tha ne agle doh meino kehliye kohi subh muruhat nahi hai aur mujhe nahi lagtha keh yeh dono aabh intezaar karenge…at least mujhe toh nahi lagtha," balraj teased as preet and ashlesha blushed shyly. "haye haye…dekh tujhe bhi sharmaana aayi gaya," heer said as ash blushed more. She excused herself and ran inside as everyone chuckled.

Reaching the kitchen, she smiled wholeheartedly. She couldn't believe it! She had almost given up that this day would ever come. She closed her eyes and thanked the one above for giving her such a nice baba and sister that were always there for her and who protected her from the outside world. She has also learned that anger doesn't get you anywhere in life. She promised herself from now on that she will be as patient as she can and try to solve problems in life with patience. Just then, she felt someone so close to her that she could feel the breath on her skin. She opened her eyes to see the dark brown eyes admiring her. Unknowingly, her cheeks turned tomato red and she lowered her eyes. "mujhe laaga keh yeh din khabhi nahi aayega jab tum itna sharmaogi," he said as she smiled, "very funny preet!" she said as she slightly hit him. "Ouch! Abhi shaadi hoyi bhi nahi aur meri hone wali biwi mujhe maar rahi hai," preet said acting hurt. "preet!!! Tum mera mazaak mat udao warna main phir naraaz hojaungi," she threatened. "nahi nahi its really ok…ek baar root gayi toh teen meine lage paata nahi second time mein kya hoga," he said as she giggled. "I am really sorry preet for everything….mujhe tumari baat ek baar sunleni chahiye aur I am sorry I didn't trust you, I promise I will never do it again…never ever again!" she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He pulled her into his arms by her waist. He felt so happy to have her back in his arms. She had missed his arms…his touch for so long. She probably can never give up the guilt for putting him, her family, and even rajveer through so much, but she promised to herself that she will awalys keep him happy and she will never give his family a chance to complain. At the moment, someone coughed and they broke apart to see prem and heer. "yeh sabh kya horaha hai huh?" heer asked very seriously. "woh bhabhi…woh main…actually…," preet mumbled. "paani leyne aaya tha?" prem asked. "ha PB…exactly, main paani leyne hi aaya tha," preet said. "really?" heer asked. "ha bhabhi…saach mein," preet said. "mere bhai…aise kahi bahane main baana chukka ho so nice try," prem said as heer and him started to giggle. "heer…tum bhi?" ash asked surprised. "ha…tune mujhe itna tang kiya toh mujhe bhi kuch haq banta haina. Aur waise bhi aabh tu meri behen keh saath sath meri devarani bhi hai aur ghar ki baadi bahu hone keh naate main toh teri acchi kaasi kabar longi," heer teased ashlesha as she blushed. "Thank you heer for not giving up on me…thank you so much," ashlesha said as she pulled heer into hug. "Hum ek naye rishte mein band zaroor rahe hai lekin hum behene the aur hamesha rahenge lekin iss ka matlab yeh nahi keh tu mujhe thank you bolna shuru karde," heer scolded. "Theek hai nahi kahongi phir bhi heer tumne hamesha mera saath diya hai aur aaj bhi tumne baba koh mujhse naraaz hone se bachaya," ashlesha told her. "ha bhabhi shayad agar aapna hote toh mujhe khabhi baroosa nahi milta aur mere pyaar kehliye main ladta hi nahi," preet said as he smiled at ash. "tum dono ek saath ho aur khush hoon, mujhe aur kuch nahi chahiye," heer said joyfully. "bahut raat hogayi hai…tum log jao, soh jao…kal se ek nayi shuruwat hogi," prem said and preet and ashlesha left telling them good night. As prem and heer were returning to their room, prem got a call from the office. So, he told her that she can go ahead and that he will finish the call downstairs since the kids were sleeping in the room. She went to the room and changed into her night gown. Checking on the kids, she saw that they were still sleeping so she went to the blalcony. She took a seat in one of the chairs admiring the beautiful night sky. She felt as if the stars were bigger and brighter today; may be they were just refelecting the happiness and excitement in her heart. As she stood there, she felt him join her. "maine kaha na keh sabh theek hojayega," he said. She smiled and turned to see that he had changed into his kurta pajama. "Ha aur tum theek kehrahe teh. Aaj mujhe pura yakeen hogaya hai keh jab tak tum mere saath ho tab tak humare saath kuch bura nahi hosaktha," she told him. "nahi jab tak hum saath honge tab tak jitni bhi problems aayengi, saare theek hojayengi. Aur unne theek bhi hona hoga akir tum meri angel ho," he said. "Angel?" she asked confused. He took her hands and kept them on his shoulder. Wrapping his hands around her waist and pulled her closer. "Prem…tum kya karahe ho?" she asked. "shhh!" he said. They were so close that there lips were almost touching. "Kuch mat kaho. Jab tum mere zindagi mein woh holi keh rang leyke aayi thi jab se tumne meri zindagi ki koh rang diya hai aur usse bahut khoobsurat bana diya hai. Aur main jaanta hoon keh jab tak meri angel mere saath hai tab tak kohi problem zyaada dher humare saath nahi rehsakthi," he told her. His words touched her heart and she felt a joy inside. She silently thanked god for giving her such a sweet life partner. She moved closer and pecked his lips. As she moved back, he pulled her closer and placed a kiss on her lips. As they stood in each other's arms, making love, the moon smiled down at the two souls…after all, prem heer ka prateek hai aur heer sirf aur sirf prem kehliye hi bani hai!