A Love Like Theirs (Prem Preeti One shots)

Their Jealousy

The time when Vivek-Sadhna were in Rampur..and Prem had called off their wedding. It had been a month..they spoke a little... initially only her as a matter of fact as his guilt held him back. But her persistent efforts did bring him out of his shell.
(I had already written one like this... remember?...uske aage ka keh skte ho)

Prem fixed his collar as he looked at his reflection in the mirror. He looked handsome in a black blazer with a matching shirt and formal pants as he got dressed up for an official gala, which he tried his best to avoid attending. He reminded himself he was going there just as a representative of his brother and as Preeti says "it's only until bhaiya bhabhi are not here....once his idol...his Vivek Bhaiya would be back he would be proud of Prem for coping up".

Preeti....his mind went back to her. He thought of her tired eyes and forced smile, and his heart ached. He wanted to ease all her worries in life but ended up being the biggest reason of her heartbreak.

She looks disturbed these days. He has heard his Papa and Pritam Uncle discuss how she's exhausted from having to explain their wedding situation to everyone, the mocking and underlying taunts that follow.

He feels helpless to confront her. He's reluctant to even make an eye contact, haunted by his guilt. He wished he could turn back and make a different choice that would atleast weigh him off this suffocating guilt.

Sighing, he took slow steps towards his car, holdings onto the steering tightly, city lights blurring behind him.

He felt a different kind of tightness in his chest. He wished she would not come, he didn't want her to come across the gossips about their delayed (as the families had come up with the excuse) marriage.

The car GPS indicated him of his arrival on his destination, and he took a deep breath, steadied himself to face the crowd.

He entered the party hall, quiet and professional, people chit chatting, eating, drinking, having round table conferences. He scanned the room for familiar faces and his eyes landed on a few of his colleagues and acquaintances.
He got busy in business related conversations.

"Dr. Preeti.... finally you are here aiye aiye..." ..called out somewhere near the crowd. " The voice drew Prem's attention to the entrance.

He turned, his heart racing, and that's when he saw her.

Preeti walked into the room, a vision in black net saree, her hair open, her eyes sparkling. She smiled, a bright, professional smile, and Prem's heart skipped a beat.

He felt like he'd been punched in the gut, his breath knocked out of him. He couldn't look away, couldn't move, as she made her way through the crowd, shaking hands, exchanging pleasantries.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, Prem thought he saw a flicker of recognition, a hint of something more. But it was gone in an instant.

She gave him a soft smile as she walked past him. Prem was left standing there, lost and alone, unable to process the storm of emotions raging inside him.

Pritam Uncle tapped his shoulder, "Theek haina bete tu? Achaa laga dekhkar ki tu halat se bhaag nhi rha. Vivek will be proud of you."

As Prem hugged Pritam Uncle, he felt a lump form in his throat. Pritam Uncle patted his back, sensing his emotions. "It's okay, Prem. Sab theek ho jaayega."

Prem nodded, feeling a sense of comfort wash over him. He pulled back, looking at Pritam Uncle with misty eyes. "Thank you, Uncle. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Pritam Uncle smiled, his eyes warm with affection. " Aree mai humesha tere saath hu beta... tension na le."

Prem continued to chat with Pritam Uncle and others, but his eyes kept drifting back to Preeti. He couldn't help but steal glances at her, his heart aching with longing. He yearned to bridge the distance between them, to pull her close and hold her like he used to.
Only if it was possible.