Misha assessed the mood of all the Raichand's. They were intense people often killing the fun out of fun. She'd always wondered how people as good looking as they were could be so serious all the time. They really needed to lighten up. She could have cut the atmosphere with a knife. Something was up with this picture. They passed on their traits to the youngsters before her. Lexie was always so upbeat as if she was in control of her own destiny but her face told another story. Misha knew the twins had a special bond. One even she didn't have with her own sister Panchi. Misha was close to her sister but the way the twins were rock solid they gave a new meaning to sibling bond. They were in tune with the other on an emotional level. On a mental level. Lux had said it was a psychic level. Pari though was included in this equation she wasn't as close. Lexie was still upset by whatever transpired here? Lux couldn't have been at deaths doors with a fever could he? And miraculously cured no way was this possible. They were trying to pull the wool over their eyes. However Misha saw how frightened Lexie appeared emotionally fragile. Misha wasn't comfortable with tears.
Misha cracked a little joke to ease off the tension-"So everyone is cooped up in this haven all day while the rest of us have had a day of hell with T. Poor Abhay was outnumbered without back up. U should have seen her lording it over us as if she's miss fantastic. I know all about beauty because i am beautiful line. I swear if she said this to me one more time i'd have throttled the girl."
Kabir joined in-"Yeah and then we have our very own Tracker adding to our misery by humouring her. I think she was kind of in her element. Assignments will be done within the next few weeks. Let's just catch up. Fill us in with the gossip."
Misha saw Pari's mood lighten while Lexie had stopped her tears-"So where is my dear friend Piya? Ever since she's found Abhay she's completely forgotten her friends."
Sid was also curious. He wanted to know where his baby sister was-"Yeah Where is Piya?"
Abhay rushed down first greeting the friends in the living room. He already heard the entire conversation from upstairs-"Good U made it here. U can keep Lux out of trouble. He's been a little hyperactive."
Misha piped in-"Well he's always been full of beans. Now i'm here we'll get him into shape in no time. (Misha elbows Lux playfully winking at him) That's for ignoring all my calls. U boys can be so insenstitive. U could have at least had your sisters contact me or even got Abhay to do your dirty work. I'll admit i was a teeny bit stressed out dude. It's not a nice feeling to be blown off by a potential BF U know. "
Lux held his ears giving Misha his cutest big innocent brown eyes, mischieviously grinning-"I made a mistake Mish it won't happen again. Forgive me please. Look i'm even pleading with me hands now. Am i forgiven?"
Misha made Lux sweat for a few minutes. Misha gave Lux her very own acting demo pretending to be cross folding her arms-"OK i''ll think about it. (She changed her sullen features to a wide grin) Fine i'll have mercy on U Lux but next time i'll have your head. I swear."
Lux smiled back-"How can i ever disappoint a face like yours and with a threat to boot."
Kabir was looking for Piya-"Dude where's Pia?"
Abhay answered cheerfully-"She's coming down. She's just had something to do first."
Piya came descending down the stairs fully composed now. She'd peered down to see Sid there just who she wanted to see she thout sarcastically. Misha and Kabir had arrived too. They were bust chatting away with their partners. It was cute watching them together. Abhay had already sensed Piya coming down. He rushed to her side giving her his hands.
Piya had felt her skin already reacting to Abhay's touch. It felt so alive. Damn she could feel her cheeks begin to redden. Hopefully the others wouldn't notice-"Hi everyone. Sorry for the delay. I was a little busy. So what have we here? A reunion without me."
Misha left Lux and hugged her friend Piya tightly. Piya flinched a little her wounds weren't fully healed-"Piya did i hurt U? Sorry i don't know my own strength sometimes. (Misha's face began to drop with concern for her friend. Maybe Piya and the others were really ill Misha thought thickly. It made sense why the others were acting so protective). Where does it hurt?"
Piya quicly assured Misha in her soft voice-"Misha i'm fine really. I'm still recovering from my bout of poisoning (Piya had to lie. What was she going to say? A vampire had attacked her. No it made sense with the food poisoning). I have been a little weak but i'm on the mend. Lux had the worst of it. Must be a reaction of some sort."
Misha bought what Piya had told her. After all Piya had mentioned she was as fit as a fiddle throughout her childhood. So as an adult Piya was prone to at least some sick days and Lux felt quite warm to the touch before-"Are U sure Piya i didn't hurt U too much? You're not saying it just to spare my feelings."
Piya-"Misha U know me well enough to know i wouldn't do that."
Pari to Misha-"We've all been chipping in to look after these two. They are the worst patients anyone could possibly have. We sorted them out didn't we Lexie?"
Piya smirked at Pari-"Hey not fair! I wasn't trying to be awkward for the hell of it. I'm just used to being on my own."
Lexie-"Piya with friends like us U will never find yourself alone."
Misha gave the others a wry smile-"I'm feeling left out now. Piya has truely moved on dude not cool."
Piya teased Misha-"Mish i can never leave U behind. Dude seriously quit being such a baby and just give me back my fun loving friend Misha back. The green eyed monster can go back in it's bottle."
Misha gave Piya a gentle hug this time laughing out loud-"Good to know U still have room for us in your heart Piya because i was going to cream U otherwise."
Sid pleasantly asked Abhay-"So all is well i take it?"
Piya angrily shot at Sid-"What are U doing here?"
Abhay shot Piya his do not start an argument stare-"Everything is fine for now. We are playing the waiting game."
Misha could feel the frost in the air between Piya and Sid-"Bro i am sensing a rift between the both of U. What did U do this time?"
Sid knew his sister Mish would start on him-"I didn't do anything i swear. I must have got on the wrong foot with Piya. Yesterday i pried into her private life a little. I didn't realize its a touchy subject."
Misha groaned at Sid-"Bro U know very well to keep out of other peoples personal life. Remember our own problems. The one where U ran away from."
Sid glared at Mish at the mention of the past. Piya already knew why Sid had left she was annoyed at this subject-"Misha why bring it up? Leave it where it should lie in the past. Piya i'm sorry about what went on yesterday can we please start a fresh?"
Piya was put on the spot. Sid did this on purpose. She couldn't exactly turn him down without giving a plausible explanation. Abhay went round to Piya's side holding her hand for support-"Fine but i want no mention of U know who? OK? This is my only stipulation. U can take it or leave it?"
Misha was getting antsy with all this mystery. What were Sid and Piya really on about? A certain person both knew about but Misha wasn't part of this secret. She couldn't upset Piya with all her questioning. Sid was Sid so no point bugging him either. Misha had to find out the truth without stepping on anyones toes-"Who are U two on about?"
Sid and Piya answered in unison-"Nobody." Sid and Piya looked directly at the other giving the other their approval. Their secret had to be buried.
Misha wanted to blast Sid for shooting her down in agreement with Piya. Now they were definitely hiding something. The way both shouted out Nobody. Misha wasn't dumb. She'd let this slide for now but in time she'd open pandora's box-"So this evening has amounted to no fireworks. I'll admit Kabir and i came with the intention to blast U people for keeping us in the dark. U know freezing us out. I wanted to give U the Misha treatment but i took mercy on how down U people felt. Sid decided to join us as our personal body guard. He seems to have a knack of dousing the fire out with his presence alone. So what now? I think we all need to lay low in peace with a movie night. What do U say?"
Piya thought this was a great idea-"We already have a popcorn maker i'll go get it."
Lexie shifted away from Kabir and Lux-"I'll help U."
Kabir was left with Lux-"So are U up to Uni tomorrow? If not i'll stay with U. Not in the mood for group work with T."
Lux was fine throughout the day-"I'll drop by. I hated being pampered at home. The girls can be a little too overprotective. Lexie's not left my side all day and all night. I've had to pry Pari away just so i can get some peace to Piya."
Kabir wished he had sisters. As the only boy in his family he was starved of the sister bond. Probably why he never respected women in the past before but Piya changed all this. He sure didn't want sisters as hot as Pari and Lexie. He was crazy about Lexie but he felt her pull away as if being around him was too much. This stung him-"You're lucky to have a family as tight as this. I wish i had people around. It's quite lonely at home. Mom is always busy with her Kitty parties and Dad is too wrapped up in work."
Lux knew what Kabir meant. As much as his sister's sometimes smothered him to death he loved them a lot. He could never fathom a life without them. Lux preferred his own company at times but he'd never want his sisters out of his life. Being an oly child had its advantages but eventually you'd miss out on the companionship. Especially if you'd witnessed others having a special bond between siblings. He knew where Kabir was coming from. He'd missed his friend's little quirks. He was like a brother he never had. His family were mainly consisting of females. Girls ran in their family a lot. Every 3 generations they'd be one boy from their family. It was a wiccan connection. Girls were always powerful in their family. Mother Earth had gifted them with the ultimate power but the power would flow throught greatly in an only child. Now this very rarely happened in their family line.
Lux gave Kabir the heads up on his sister, whispering in his ear-"I'm only saying this to U as a firend not as Lexies big brother. Trust me i'd never want my sister shaking up with any random guy but U i respect. She likes U a lot Kabir. Just be gentle with her. She may be tough on the outside but on the inside she's a big softy. Lexie's got it in her head she needs to be the strong one. It's inbred in our family to allow no weakness. She likes to nurture people as you've gathered. Give her some space and just be there for her. Be good to each other is all i want."
Kabir was getting a weird vibe off of Lux. The man was deep but this almost sounded like he was going away somewhere-"Bro is there something U want to tell me like an SOS message? Coz this sounds like a goodbye. Is there something going on here?"
Lux shook his head in response-"Nothing U should be worried about. I'm just generally blabbing on U know without getting sentimental. Life's unpredictable Bro. We have so many twists and turns at every junction of our life. Who knows when life betrays us Kabir? U can never trust life to be faithful with U. It's one lesson i've learnt recently. I just want to make sure Lexie is taken care of. I want Pari sorted out as well. Abhay will always be there for them. So will my parents but they need someone on their wavelength. U and Piya are who they trust after Abhay and I."
Kabir wanted to shake Lux out of this morbid stance. Lux was never this philosophical about life before-"Bro U are beginning to scare me a little. Is this to do with your fever?"
Lux nodded-"Yeah. It's cleared my head to see how fickle life can be. It was touch and go Bro. Scared the s**t out of me i'll be honest about it. For a fraction i saw life pass by me. I wasn't worried about dying. I was frightened by how this would affect my sisters. Who'd be there for them. Abhay has always been there but he can't be everywhere. I can't say this is front of Lexie despite her already knowing what i think. Twin connection really has it's downside. Just promise me no matter what happens you'll always be there for my sister even when she's being an absolute nightmare."
Kabir saw how much this meant to Lux-"I promise Bro. U have to promise to stick around for as long as U can. You'll fight to live. It's what we all have to do."
Lux saw Pari watching him suspiciously-"Yes i'll keep my promise. You're a good friend Kabir."
Pari made the boys bude up so she could sit with them-"Nice to see some bromance between the two of U."
Lux joked-"Why are U jealous?"
Pari scoffed rolling her eyes-"Please jealous of U boys? I have my girls so no need for envy around U boys. So what movies are we planning on watching? No action films please. I've had enough suspense to last me a lifetime."
Kabir hated chick flicks-"No way are us boys sitting through some cheesy rom com. Its so clichd."
Pari laughed at Kabir-"Fine no romantic comedies but we are not watching an action movie either."
In the kitchen Lexie and Piya were having a heart to heart chat. Piya started heating a pan with some oil while Lexie got the corn adding them in. Piya quickly place the lid over the pan. She loved the aroma of popcorn smelt devine. She was listening to the popocorn pop making her laugh with glee. She felt like a little kid again with Lexie. It was the first time the girls actually let themselves free of strain.
Lexie felt Piya ease up-"Good to see U and Da settle your misunderstandings. He didn't want to keep the truth from U Piya. He respects your love too much but circumstances were so frail with Maya on the loose. None of us knew how to handle it. He was torn with guilt. He's never forgiven himself for the past. He relives it every waking day. U are the only sane person in his life."
Piya understood what Lexie was telling her-"I get it now. I should have guessed this from the journals. I must have read them a million times. They were so engrossing. They felt so real to me. As if i was part of the whole journey. As if i were reliving these moments and what do U know? I dreamt them every night and still i had no clue of the truth Lexie. The meaning behind my dreams were a memory. A warning from above not to repeat my mistakes."
Lexie felt open making her feel out of her comfort zone. She wasn't into pouring out her heart-"U weren't to know. We live in an age where we no longer believe in the supernatural. If i wasn't born into this life i'd have deemed U crazy so i don't blame U Piya. Sometimes it all seems like a dream."
Piya saw Lexie's eyes wonder off in Lux and Kabir's direction-"Lux will be fine. With us by his side fighting to keep him safe fate will have no choice but to heed submission. I mean we have the power of love by our side. Kabir likes U like no woman before. I think he might be in love."
Lexie shifted her eyes back to Piya's-"Right now i have no time for love Piya. Lux is all i love. He's my brother and i nearly lost him. This waiting around just p****s me off. I don't even know what tomorrow brings. What's the use of having powers if U can't control it. Harness its full potential."
Piya took the pan off the heat removing the lid, tipping all the contents into a large bowl-"Powers or no power Lexie U are stronger than this. Practice makes perfect. Focus on the goal ahead and you'll reap the rewards Just don't let it swallow U to the point of no return. Power can easily consume the sanest of people. Have faith in yourself."
Lexie added more oil to the pan while Piya added more popcorn repeating the process-"Thanks for the vote of confidence Piya i needed this. I have been pretty full on the past day but i will get back into the swing of life. So how's it like now U know you're dating a vampire?"
Piya blushed whispering softly to Lexie-"Abhay will always be my Abhay. He is a vampire by nature but to me he is still the man i love. Even the beast in him is sexy as hell. I kissed Abhay in vampire form."
Lexie had to hand it to Piya. She was one gutsy lady-"I can't believe U did this. How was it?"
Piya still blushing-"Hot. But his teeth got in the way."
Lexie giggled-"Look at U going scarlett. Must have been some kiss Piya. I heard the best part of breaking up was the making up. I just saw the first hand reaction."
Piya calmed down a little-"I never want to get into another fight with Abhay. So Lexie what's going on the Kabir front? He is so keen on U. U can't mean to put him on the back burner. Lux will always be your priority but Kabir could be your moral support. I know U like him too."
Lexie was unsure on what was the right thing-"Enough people have gotten hurt over my family. I don't want to place Kabir amongst the same ranks. It's not fair."
Piya wanted the duo together-"Isn't it for Kabir to decide? I know U want him safe but Maya is a loose cannon. Misha and Kabir will be made targets despite all your efforts to keep him safe. She attacks from the inside."
Lexie knew she was right-"I suppose. Let me sleep on it."
Pari came over to make the butterscotch sauce heating butter, syrup and a little water together with some brown sugar-Smells devine. The boys and i have called a truce. We are watching 127 Hours with James Franco. Its not action and its not a rom com."
Piya beamed-"Fair trade. We get eye candy in the form of James Franco."
Abhay frowned-"I heard that Piya."
Piya backtracked-"U will always be my number one Abhay."
Abhay and Sidharth were having their own little pow wow. Abhay tried to get Sid to see logic. Piya wasn't some damsel infatuated with him for being her saviour. Abhay was convincing Sid of their irrevocable connection on a cosmic level which was beyond their comprehension. It baffled Abhay at times on how it was possible for Piya to keep coming back for him and falling for him each time. He didn't deserve her yet she loved him with her all. Sid wasn't aware of the SOULMATE principle. It defied the law of physics, the law of nature. It took Maya so many centuries to unlock a way to break the chain. Abhay was aware of how much Sid was hurting through Piya's rejection. Then again he understood Piya. She wanted no contact with the man who did her mother wrong. Abhat could see objectively on what the right thing was for all concerned. Piya had no problems with Misha or Panchi but Sidharth was another matter. He'd wanted Piya in their family making him the enemy. He had to change Piya's views. Family were important. Holding grudges only created more heartache.
Sid took in Piya's cute smile. She was happy here with the Raichand's. He wanted her to be happy with the Dobrials. He was envious of how close they all were-"This is so hard to hate U Abhay. Bro i don't know how U got Piya to see this your way but she's come around. Accepted U for what U are. A blood sucker. I wish she'd give me a chance."
Abhay didn't take offence to Sid's harsh words. It was true he was a blood sucker-"Piya is a strong soul. She's taken more knocks than you've had hot dinners. Don't push her into a corner. Piya hates it when people do this. Let her be. Give her time to digest this news. We've knocked her for six with all the revelations. It hit her hard. Her own brother being a werewolf id enough to scare the c**p out a normal person the icing on the cake your boyfriend is a vampire. Oh and another thing U have sworn enemies after your life. Not exactly the best way to have this thrown at U."
Sid nodded-"I get the drift. I just want her in my life. I want all my sisters to know each other at face value. I'm sick of being shrouded in secrecy. Piya hates my guts."
Abhay-"No Piya likes U all. Lucky for her she's already attached to Misha and Panchi without knowing they were her sisters. With U she only recently got to know so she hasn't formed the same bond. Then all at once this truth is bombarded in her face. See it from her point of view Sid. I'll try to help her through this. She will be part of your family again. I promise U this."
Sid was suspicious of Abhay's intention-"Why would U put yourself out to help my family? What's in it for U?"
Abhay knew Sid was a Dobrial-"Because i love her. A vampire can fall in love too U know we aren't all monsters. I don't have an agenda Sid. Piya is all i live and breathe."
Pari poured the sauce over the popcorn and brought it round for everyone to share while watching the DVD. All the gang gathered around watching and eating popcorn.
Maya was riveting to the core licking her wounds. She was warped by her delusions of acquiring Abhay back in her life. Destroying Piya was all she could think of. The intriguing equation of having Sid as a werewolf fascinated her. Vampires and werewolves were old foes. It was in their nature to hate the other species. Maya watched her puppy asleep. Danish was her new apprentice. She'd taught him how to fight dirty. How tactic worked. Playing Abhay off against Sid would be one to watchout for. Maya had all the time in the world to nullify her enemies. Her plans were working with the witches heading on a dark path. Lux was probably dead by now. Leaving Abhay out in the open with no shield. Piya was probably still reeling from her shock. Both left vulnerable. She had to add to their problems. Make the game interesting. Bring a new player. Well technically he was an old player but he'd spice this hunt up till it was too hot to handle. Now he'd bring all their shields down. After all he had a score to settle with Abhay.
