this is a really random attempt to write a fanfiction based off if one of mt favorite Bollywood movies Hum Saath Saath Hain.

Let me know what you think.

CHAPTER 1

Preeti POV

Today is the day I have been waiting for. He is finally coming home! It has been a long year waiting to see him again. Taking a page from his book, I have worked very hard with Dr. Sen and in school to become a good doctor. I have taken extra shifts at the hospital all while encouraging my father to give up on his sweets. But, today I will lay all of that to one side because Prem is coming home!

Once The doctor and I arrived at Ramkishen's home, I began to flutter with excitement. I was so nervous to see Prem again after so many months. Will he have changed? Will he have met someone while in America? I hope not...

"Doctor Preeti, Doctor Preeti. One minute!" Vinod said as he pulled me to sit on the couch, breaking my reverie. "Today Prem returns from America. Would you like to express your extreme happiness?"

Vinod began to tease me about Prem's return, and in front of his mother no less! I couldn't help but be annoyed at his constant teasing. Every time we saw one another, it was always some joke about Prem. I know he means well, and that this is a strange sign of affection for Vinod. Mostly, I have given up on returning the banter, and instead just smile and say nothing.

When Anand asked who was going to pick Prem up from the airport, I couldn't help but feel relieved that the attention was no longer on me.

"Mummy, Who has gone to pick Prem up from the airport?" Anand asked.

"Nobody." She replied sadly, placing Prem's picture on the table next to her.

Anand look slightly confused as Vinod explained. "His instructions were clear. No one need come there. Just send the car."

Vivek smiles and continued, "The truth is, he doesn't want to trouble anyone."

Anwar concluded, "Prem is a saint."

I couldn't agree more. It made my heart soar to hear Prem praised so highly by his family. It was one of the many things that attracted me to him. He has a heart of gold. Even when we were children he always thought of others before himself. If Vivek needed an extra hand due to his injury, Prem would always be the first to volunteer it. He would never walk past a beggar in the street without stopping to give them some money, or talk with them if he didn't have any change to spare. He was truly "one in a million". And he lived up to his namesake well.

Breakfast time rolled around and Mamta, Mamijaan and I began preparing the meal. Sapna and her father had arrived and she was busy setting up the decorations for the party with Sangeeta while the men were discussing Ramkishen's business with Dadi-ma.

I made my way to the refrigerator for some more mustard greens when Sapna unexpectedly burst through the doorway announcing Prem's arrival. Mamta and Mamijaan rushed out of the kitchen in a flurry of fabric, but I could barely move. I tried to focus on my breathing and I watched as he greeted his family. He took blessings from his mother and then she hugged him tight.

'He's finally here.' I thought. 'How I wish I could run to him and embrace him. Even my father can hug him tight. But what would he thinking me? What would everyone say?'

Deciding that our meeting was better left to happen naturally, I turned back to the kitchen and continued preparing the meal. I cut the mustard greens and then began preparing the tea. I boiled a pot of fresh milk and poured the spices and tea leaves in to simmer. I immersed myself wholeheartedly into my task, hoping it would settle my erratic breathing and heartbeat. Or at least, to help me appear composed.

Only Prem made me feel this way. With my father, and even my patients at the hospital, I am always eager to talk and help in any way I can. I make a point to always chat with my patients about their lives and be an ear when they need to vent some frustration about their condition. With my friends, I am very eager to talk and gossip. Prem is the only person who has ever made me afraid to say anything at all.

Mamta and Mamijaan returned from the main room and called everyone to sit down in the dining room. I began serving the finished tea as the family came in to claim their seats around the two tables in the main dining room. I tried to focus on pouring the tea without spilling when I heard a deep, buttery voice behind me.

"Preeti."

I stilled. I turned around, teapot still in my hand to face the voice. Oh... His face was just as handsome as before, maybe even more so. And those eyes, so big and kind. His eyes lit with a small smile in greeting and then quickly fell to my hands. Taking note of the teapot still in my hands, he reached for a towel to maneuver the hot metal onto the table.

"Oh. Thank you." I stuttered bashfully. I began slowly rubbing my knuckle where the teapot had slightly burned them. His eyes met mine again for a moment. I wondered if he could readall of my emotions there. Could he see the effect he has on me? I imagined that my pupils were probably dilated to the size of saucers right about now. I could hear my heartbeat thrumming in my ears. I quickly cast my eyes down towards the floor to break the spell that the moment was having over me.

"Anytime." He said quickly, turning away as Sangeetapointed to a chair she had pulled out especially for him. Prem sat down between Vivek and Vinod and poured himself a glass of juice.

Everyone began to settle in and eat. I made my rounds with the tea at the first table filled with adults. Sapna served the samosas at the young people's table. Mamta drew the attention of everyone when she served Prem his favorite dish, halwa herself.

Noticing Anand's teacup was empty, I asked.

"Anand, would you like more tea?"

"No." He replied, smiling. As he opened his mouth, the entire table joined in stating, "Prem would like some!"

"No, no." He responded, slightly choking on his sip of juice.

"What 'no'? Serve him!" exclaimed Vinod.

Knowing that if I refused it would bring even more unwanted attention, especially from Vinod, I complied. Trying to remain casual, I strolled over and poured the tea. It was the most awkward minute of my life! I've never seen a teapot pour slower.

Vinod, cutting the tension, looked at Prem and laughed. "Better get used to it, brother. She's going to be feeding you all your life!"

Then, looking at me, he smiled cheekily.

"What say you?"

I always hate it when he jokes like this in front of Prem! It's bad enough that I hear it all the time when he's not around. I especially dislike when he assumes that we will be married someday. It's like he's displaying my deepest desire and making it all a big joke.

Setting down the teapot, I attempted to make a break for it to save my dignity. I began to move away from the table, but Vinod caught my wrist.

"Where are you going? Sit down!"

Grabbing hold of me, he yanked me back and I crashed against Prem's side. A warm hand came to my waist to steady me, fingers placing slight pressure in between my ribs. Catching my balance, I discovered I was sitting completely in Prem's lap, and his hand was holding me lightly. My skin underneath his fingers was almost burning at his touch. I felt my cheeks begin to burn as well and I took off into the main room, hearing chuckles behind me as I left.

I needed a few minutes to recover after that event. I placed my hand over my tingling side where his hand had been only moments before, enjoying the feeling of it. It was not very often that we touched. An occasional brush of hands or shoulders, was all I had ever experienced with Prem. Even as children, we always seemed to shy away from one another.

Sitting in his lap was a whole other level of touching that I didn't expect to jostle me so much. I wished I had been able to freeze time for a moment and enjoy sitting there and being held by him, before running away. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I jumped when three very overly made-up ladies burst onto the landing screaming, "Mumu! Mumu darling! Where are you?"