AbhIya FF : And I will be waiting-B3 - Updtd-Pg149 - Page 7

Poco just amazing writing skill you got, you are such a amazing writer, after abhay I love abheer character very much, you really write him very well, I wish we got see the same character in pkyek too

Bloodstone Dungeon.

Sambhav is sitting with his head hung in a confused and inexplicable shame as he sits all alone on a bench surrounded by his leaders. He has been taken away to a different chamber and away from the eyes of the Czen vampires. His leaders are dealing with him separately and deep down he knows that he truly stands in the criminal circle. The five men , dressed in white robes – their arms crossed against their chest are looking down at him in hurt pride and utter disappointment. Sambhav prefers to look at the floor than look up at them and he can feel the storm coming in his heart.

Ancient 1 (calmly )- Who are we, Sambhav? We 5 old men who are actually seeing the future in you?

Sambhav ( bowing his head )- The Pentagon. The highest authority of the werewolf community. We live , conduct our lives and even die by the rules set by you.

Ancient 2 (nods)- And who are you, Sambhav? Why were you sent here?

Sambhav ( softly )- An Ancient. Leader of a thousand werewolves. For almost 200 years , my task has been to secure Abhay's sacrifice on a full moon so that his blood can free our future generations from ever getting killed by vampires. His upcoming birthday is finally a chance to control him and make him sacrifice himself at his own will.

Ancient 3 (rounding up Sambhav )- And how do you plan to do that, Sambhav? By letting Maithli escape into her mad obsession with Abhay and not even keeping an eye on her? Or have you totally forgotten what you brought her to life for?

Ancient 4 ( bending down and holding him by his shoulders)- Look up at me, Sambhav .. ( Sam's grey eyes in guilty innocence go up at the stern wrinkled by classically handsome face in front of him) …..What happened to the ruthless animalistic primal monster with barbaric leadership qualities that we reared for centuries? Where is that cruel predator who will one day be at the head of the Pentagon? Where is the hero who is to take our seat when we are gone?...(touches his cheek)…. What happened to you Sambhav? Affection for Abhay? Feelings for that lowly human Misha? Fixation with a hybrid Bolshva? Is that you, Sambhav? Is that what we made you?

Sambhav ( moved to tears by the disappointment of the Pentagon in him )- No….This was never supposed to be me. I admit , Honorable. I…..strayed…and I will not be untruthful. As much as I am sorry for letting you down, I don't think am guilty about this change in me. It feels good to be…..

Ancient 1 ( staring into his troubled grey eyes )- Human? Hmm? Feels good to be nice, loving , caring, and…. Being loved? Too bad, Ancient. You cannot have that luxury. We don't need you as an apology-in-the-name-of –a-werewolf.

Sambhav ( bound by his respect and honour for his bloodline and the Pentagon )- I confess that I have deviated. I know that is why you are here. I don't know how you came to know of this but….I am fine with you knowing it. I deserve to be punished. I am ready for it….

Ancient 1 ( sitting next to him)- Punishing you is neither the question nor in consideration, child. Getting you back on track , getting you back to what we made you, what you were brought up to be is what matters. The cruelty is still inside you , Sambhav. The predator is suffocating inside and demands a release from the sweet kind do-gooder that you have become. You are the future of this race , this bloodline. We must save you. Save you from humanity , goodness and above all… Love….

Sambhav ( raising his eyebrows )- But…. I don't love anyone.

Ancient 1 ( nods his head)- You don't. But there are seeds. Seeds that we don't want to grow into saplings.

Ancient 2 ( making Sambhav stand up)- Are you with us, Sambhav?

Sambhav ( his head held high)- Yes.

Ancient 3 – Do you think we made the right decision by letting you lead a 1000 of us and putting you on Abhay's death chase?

Sambhav – Yes.

Ancient 4 – Have we made the right choice in seeing the throne of the Pentagon , the supreme leadership of the werewolf genus in you?

Sambhav (looking into their eyes as though provoked )- YES.

Ancient 1 smiles at him. Then, he puts a hand inside his robe and pulls out a small brass box carved with symbols and chants. Sambhav's eyes fly open in shock as he looks at the box.

Sambhav ( shocked )- The garnet! Its the garnet, isn't it?

Ancient 1 nods and opens the box and there is a solid gold ring with a huge garnet stone encrusted in what looks like a predator's claw. The garnet's reflection shines in Sambhav's big grey eyes and his eyes look full of child like wonder.

Ancient 1 ( looking at his face )- What is it?

Sambhav ( still looking at the Garnet )- The torchbearer , the leader , the king of the werewolves wears it. It is the highest honour of our race, Honorable. The head of the Pentagon wears it…..as in YOU.

Ancient 1 – Who is the heir to it?

Sambhav ( looking a little ashamed )- I am.

Ancient 1 ( holding the ring in his hand )- You know, Sambhav. It is said about this ring that it only fits its RIGHTFUL heir. It doesn't go into anyone's finger except 'the one'. ….and….

He lifts Sambhav's right hand and slips the ring carefully into his forefinger and it fits him like a glove fits a hand. Sambhav feels his heart pound and an electric current runs through his body. His eyes seem glued to the ring on his hand.

Ancient 2 ( patting Sambhav's head )- Don't try to rewrite fate, Sam. This is YOU.

Ancient 1 takes the ring off Sambhav's finger , puts it back in the box, closes it and puts it in Sanbhav's hand , closing his fist.

Ancient 1 – I think that says it all, Sambhav. Keep it with you , so that you remember who you are and where you are going to be. And the day you feel, you are ready to be what we conditioned you to be….WEAR IT.

Sambhav looks as though he is too shocked by this awakening , too overweighed by this responsibility and too numbed at the realization of how he has let his elders down. The Ancients kiss his forehead and begin to leave.

Ancient1 ( turning at the door )- Sambhav, do you remember the first lesson that I taught you?

Sambhav ( feeling a strange chill right down to his bones )- "You can either be a hero or a villain. Anti-heroes die a million confused deaths even before they breathe their last."

Ancient 1 ( with a half smile )- Who are you?

Sambhav ( with a heavy realization in his voice and his heart sinking )- Villain…….

Daksh's Chamber

On the other hand, in Daksh's office, Pancchi is perched carelessly on a silk couch and she is busy writing the names on the invites to Daksh's housewarming party. Black and gold cards printed on art-card and enveloped in handmade paper envelopes with tulip motifs. Dressed in a white formal shirt , black trousers and black pumps, she is smiling and humming a song to herself as her fine hand writes down the names of the invitees. Just then, Daksh , his slanting deep black eyes looking at Pancchi and his mean jaw smirking walks into the chamber quietly , slipping his Blackberry into his pocket. Ah, Panchhi. Daksh had never been this besotted with a toy as he was with Pancchi. A porcelain china doll who lives to please him and carry out his orders. Smirking, Daksh goes up behind Pancchi and runs a smooth hand from her lovely short black mane , down to her back. Pancchi looks up at the fair , devious but delicious face , his sinister but attractive black eyes smiling at her lips. Pancchi's apple face melts into a relieved smile and her eyes sparkle as he takes a card from her hand.

Pancchi (sweetly )- You actually scared me, Sir… ( Daksh narrows his eyebrows )…. I mean, Daksh.

Daksh ( sitting on the couch's arm close enough to Pancchi to invade her private space )- You shouldn't be scared of me, Pancchi….. ( fingers the delicate cheekbones of her face)…..I like you.

Pancchi ( her face falls but her eyes twinkle as she touches the emerald in her neck )- I wish you would say you loved me.

Daksh ( smiles and kisses her forehead )- I love you, Pancchi. In my own twisted way , I do. Don't you see it in my eyes? …

Pancchi ( blinking her dark eyes at him)- I do….

Daksh ( pulling her into a half embrace )- Good… okay, now, let me see if all the invites are in place…. ( looks at the cards )… the Singhs, the Dobriyaals, the Ambolkars , the Mehtas, the Chopras….. ( continues sifting through cards and Pancchi looks at him tenderly)…. And the Raichands. Great. …The rest?

Pancchi ( shows him the checklist )- Flowers from Eden Green , Wine and liquor from Liquid Cart, Catering from Mansingh Royale and DJ from Zenada Club, Mumbai. Exactly what you wanted. Your hall and garden will be set up by 6.30pm on 9^th June and yeah, everything will roll just as you wanted. Perfect.

Daksh ( running his fingers through her silky hair )- Perfect it will be, Panchhi. My family is going to be ecstatic … ( twists his lower lip looking at the guest list)…. Especially when they meet all the guests at the party.

Pancchi ( innocently )- Who all are there in your family?

Daksh ( adjusting a tulip in his vase that was a little out of place )- Mom, Dad, two elder brothers , a sister. That's them. All this grandeur and warmth is to welcome them. Thank you so much, Pancchi. I knew you would do everything to perfection.

Daksh pulls Pancchi into a soft , gentle and long kiss , almost making her sleep next to him , as you tend to a baby whom you are going to fool into believing that you will still be there when the child falls asleep. Pancchi puts her arms around him as his lips traverse her mouth and neck.

Daksh ( looking into her eyes )- Pancchi….(….caressing her chin with his thumb)….if I ask you for something , you won't say no to me. Right?

Pancchi ( staring up onto is scheming black eyes )- You won't have to even finish the sentence and it will be done…..just tell me.

Daksh makes her sit up and cupping her face gently in his hands , he looks at her, holding her face steady and his eyes looking at her as though those of a master.

Daksh( calmly but firmly)- On 9^th June 2011 , at 9pm, you will draw Haseena Raichand away from the party to my house's terrace. And then, you, Pancchi Dobriyaal will stake her….driving a stake through her heart. Will you do that much for me, Panchhi?

Pancchi ( smiling softly )- I will……

Daksh winks at her and pulls her into a tight embrace , kissing her hair and rubbing her back softly. Pancchi closes her eyes with a sweet smile on her face as she puts her cheek on his shoulder.

Corridor, Mount College.

Now, dressed in a green T and casual denims , Abhay is walking down the corridor , sending messages to Haseena , trying to ask her what happened at the Bloodstone Dungeon meeting. Were you and Dad questioned harshly? What is it about? Why was Sam called there? Is he okay? Haseena is just not replying , nor is she taking his calls. Abhay doesn't seem upset or irritated. He is just plain worried and his disdain for all the secrecy is now getting to him.

Abhay ( worriedly)- Why doesn't anyone tell me anything? I feel like such a walkie-talkie ad for hide-n-seek biscuits. Gah!

And of course...Abheer...damn!

Just then, Abhay senses someone walking down the corridor behind him- hmm… the familiar daintiness , fragility and beauty in the air. Abhay always felt he heard violins whenever she was around. It was Piya. She was coming behind him and without looking back , he knew the wind was heavy with tension and anger on her side. Abhay stopped in his tracks and turned around. Piya stopped where she was – fuming , upset , hurt , angry and, umm, okay , frustrated , maybe.

Abhay ( switching to a big boyish smile)- Oh, hi. Stalking your 'aunt's' boyfriend is your new fixation? Not good….(laughs)… just kidding. Something happened? Were you coming after me?... ( looks at her with his 'innocent' ice blues )…. Okay, now why are you looking at me as though you want me for dinner?

Piya , almost stamps her foot where she is standing and comes charging at him, with as much tolerance and restraint that a lady is permitted. Her jaw tightened , her angry angelic face looking like a block of cement , and her eyes having suddenly gone elastic , she puts her hands on her hips.

Piya ( glaring at him)- What are you upto, now?

Abhay ( making a babyface)- Going home for lunch. Its blood in Ice Tea and some pink coloured pasta that Zeenia wants to make.Gross na?... ( dramatically)… sigh! The life of a vampire , you know. Imagine! Recipes in blood. I think it's a goat's blood this time , round.

Piya ( clenching her fists so that she doesn't punch him)- Cut the crap, Abhay. Its not funny. You very well know what I am talking about?

Spotting Piya blow hot and cold on an apparently 'surprised' Abhay , Kabir who was going to sit in a car with Misha to go and fix Pancchi tells her to take out the car. He will just come. Kabir walks hurriedly towards Abhay and Piya.

Abhay ( looking at her from top to bottom)- It is not supposed to be funny, either , darling. I am serious. I am genuinely going home for lunch and Zeenia is seriously making some pink pasta. And I have no idea what are you talking about? And will you please stop raging and ranting like that. Its making you look like a rocket launcher.

Piya wants to break her head against a wall at this. What the HELL has happened to him in these 24+ hours? Why is he behaving as though she was not important to him? Just two days ago, even her knitted eyebrow was enough to break him , her silence was enough to kill him and NOW? He was acting as though she didn't matter! Piya wanted to slap , whack , shake and bash him . But no, she couldn't. Kabir , who was coming up behind her could see how angry and upset she was… but no , he couldn't let her just open her mouth and spill the beans. What if she says something that she shouldn't? Fine , he was a vampire slayer but he cared about Abhay and he cared a lot about Piya.

Piya ( fighting back her tears bravely )- Why did you leave me?... I mean, why did you pair me with Kabir?

Abhay ( shrugs his shoulders )- There was too much going in between us, Piya. I mean , the chemistry , the sexual tension and that 'something' which my opaque brain can't figure out was very very disturbing. I mean , I ended up manhandling you, kissing you forcibly…..( shakes his head)… sheesh! Very very shameful. I had to actually practice going to Maithli 10 times as I was guilty of cheating. Besides…..

Abhay steps closer to Piya and puts his hands on her shoulders , then, clearing out her curls from her angry red face…..

Abhay ( looking into her eyes)- Besides, you are my to-be-relative and my good friend….( sees a sudden depth in her big brown eyes)… how could I ever lose you?

Piya sees Abhay's face melt and look lost for a few seconds. She feels the floodgates of her emotions come gushing to the surface and tears roll down her cheeks as she steps forward to just throw her arms around him and hug him. But before her arms can even move to touch Abhay , Kabir comes and pulls her back….

TO BE CONTINUED…………….