Chapter 5
Pragya had returned to Abhi's home but she clearly stated that it was only for Aliyah and Abhi's dadi. Abhi had been told by Bulbul that Pragya did not forgive him because it was not Abhishekh her husband but Abhi the rock star asking for forgiveness. Abhi decided to woo Pragya. He would behave like her husband and not Abhi the rock star at least around her. Abhi knew that his cute ways did affect Pragya so that would be his game plan. He was all set to woo and impress his wife. Pragya was sleeping soundly on her side of the bed and Abhi was on his side. He was looking at her without blinking. She is really cute. She wears her specs also when she sleeps. I wonder chashme pehenkar sone se saone aur clearly dikhte hain kya?' Abhi smiled at Pragya's cuteness. He removed her specs and kept them on the side table. He wanted to caress her innocent face but the Lakshman Rekha Pragya made with pillows showed him his limits. "I will wait for the day you remove these pillows. I will try each and every single day to make things right. I promise Pragya I will make things right." Abhi too went to sleep with a huge smile as he would begin mission manao Pragya from the next morning.
The next morning Abhi woke up before Pragya. He went to the kitchen after freshening up. The staff was shocked to see him up so early and that too seeing Abhi in the kitchen was a rare sight. "Robin! Robin!! Robin!!!" Robin came running and he almost banged into Abhi. "Robin I have been calling you kabse the kahan tum?" "Sir wo main... aap yahaan kya kar rahe hain?" "Playing kabaddi, wanna play?" Robin lowered his eyes. "Uff Robin why does one come into the kitchen for? I want to make breakfast for Pragya." Robin looked at him suspiciously. Abhi understood that Robin suspected him of foul play. Robin was about to call dadi but Abhi clasped Robin's mouth with his hand. "Robin sach mein I want to make breakfast for your Pragya madam. Meri help nahi karega? Tu hoi toh meri help kar sakta hai. I don't even know what Pragya likes." "Achaar, dahi aur aloo ke parathe wo bhi makkhan maar ke." Robin said with a smile. Abhi had a confused look on his face. "Pragya eats achaar, dahi aur aloo ke parathe wo bhi makkhan maar ke! Phir bhi aisi sookhi kishmish jaisi hai meri chashmish? I know kyun cook khaane mein pyar thodi daalta hai." Abhi made breakfast for Pragya. He also made her favorite adrak wali chai. Abhi was very proud of the breakfast but everyone else laughed at the half uncooked half burned paratha.
Pragya woke up to the warm sunlight streaming into her room. The sunlight bathed her skin as she lay on her side. She tried closing her eyes. With a mental sigh she allowed her brain to focus and cautiously open one eye. The bright spring sunlight cuts the room in half and she saw dust-motes dancing in the wall of light. She pulled the duvet up over her head to keep it out. It was not going to work her brain was awake now and already worrying about Abhi and his ways. She looked around and he was not there in the room. Her mind still fuzzy saw a vague figure stand at the door. "Abhishekh what are you doing there? Is everything ok? Why did you wake up so early?" She rubbed sleep from her eyes. "Rise and shine madam. Your breakfast in bed." "Aap... aap kyun laaye?" This was the first time in her life Pragya had someone bring her breakfast in bed. She could have expected this from her mother if she was not feeling well or even from dadi but Abhishekh! "Laaya? Maine banaya bhi hai." Abhi came and placed the breakfast tray on the folding table on the bed. Pragya saw the breakfast tray and smiled. It was a very sweet gesture which she had never expected from Abhi. He had also brought a white rose for her. She saw that the paratha was burnt on one side and was undercooked on the other. She looked at Abhi who felt bad that he could not impress Pragya. "Abhishekh, could you please ask someone to get ketchup." Abhi ran to the kitchen and brought the ketchup. Pragya took the ketchup and decorated the paratha with a ketchup smilie. She enjoyed the breakfast in bed and Abhi was happy with his first attempt. Sometimes it's the smallest thing that makes a lasting impression.'
It was a working day for both Abhi and Pragya. She had to go to college and he had to go to the recording studio. When Abhi came out of the washroom Pragya was shocked. She was standing near the dressing table. She saw through the mirror that Abhi had trimmed his beard. His hair was messy but he looked handsome in the messy hair. He had that boyish feel but still he looked mature. Abhi noticed that she was checking him out. "Accha laga?" "Jee?" "Like what you saw?" "I was not looking at you." "Accha toh who else is here other than me?" "Haan ok I was looking at you toh kya karenge? Case karenge? Main apne pati ko dekh rahi thi aapko koi probem hai?" Abhi's heart did a little summersault as Pragya called him her husband. She had been behaving with him like he was a stranger since the day of Aliyah and Purab's wedding but today she called him her husband. "Na no problem. Dekha toh compliment bhi do na. Aise free mein dekhna is not good." Abhi made a face like a school going child who wants a gold star for everything. "Aapko sharam nahi aatisaamne se compliments maang rahe hain? You should not ask for compliments always kabhi kabhi you should too compliment others." Abhi took her hint. He had always made fun of Pragya and never complimented on her beauty inner or outer. He went from the room. Pragya looked at herself in the mirror. "Ab itni bhi buri nahi lag rahi ki mujhe praise na kare. He did not even notice that I am wearing his favorite colored dress. Kanjoos meri tareef mein do shabd bhi nahi bol sakte."
"Ek ladki hai anjaani si
Sab se kuch alag jaisi
Hasti hai to lagti hai
Mano kisi pari jaisi
Nazro me shararat hai
Itraati hai har adaa uski
Wo kaun hai kya kahu tumse
Aaine me aks dekh lena
Wo lagti hai bilkul waisi.."
Pragya had tears in her eyes. Abhi wrote an impromptu song for her praising her. He sang the entire song maintaining eye contact. She felt like running into his arms but she controlled herself. "The song is very nice." "Umm do you think it needs any changes? Like you liked it but meri kaordon pankhiyon(fans) ko bhi toh accha lagna chahiye na." Abhi was asking Pragya for suggestions for his work that too he asked her help to impress other girls! Pragya was shocked. "Abhishekh ek baat kahoon?" "Sure go ahead." "Enough for now! I can't digest so many changes in you at one time." Pragya left for the college and Abhi too went to the recording studio. The entire day Abhi and Pragya both were lost in the others thought's. Abhi came home early. He called an emergency family meeting. "OK now sab log listen to me I need your help to maano and patao Pragya. I know main thing I have to do but I need everyone's help." It was a big step for Abhi to ask help from others but he was doing it for Pragya. She could not digest too many changes in him but she was the one who had brought about the changes in him. "Done! We will all help you the entire Mehra family, Purab and Aliyah promised Abhi." Everyone got to work on thinking on ideas to get Abhi and Pragya together. "Antakshari khelte hain." Maithili suggested. Her mother in law dismissed the idea but Abhi liked it. Antakshari meant family time and family was the most important for Pragya and they made her the happiest.
In the evening when Pragya came home she saw hustle bustle in the house. She did not know what was happening. She was walking towards her room when she saw Abhi with Bunty and Babli. When they saw her they hushed up. She looked at them suspiciously. "What's happening?" "I am teaching them a simple way to memorize their poems and tables." Pragya did not believe Abhi so she looked at the kids. They nodded in agreement with their chachu. Babli had been having trouble in learning the tables that Pragya knew of. She asked Babli what and how Abhi thought her and Babli said her 21 times table very easily in a song form. Pragya smiled as she was proud of Babli for learning her tables. She was also proud and happy that Abhi was taking interest in the children's life. At night Abhi tied blindfold on Pragya's eyes. "What are you doing? Where are you taking me?" "Trust me." When Abhi removed her blindfolds they were on the terrace she saw the entire family was there. The entire Mehra family got together on the terrace and had a fun filled time. They played antakshari, had dinner and also for the first time that Pragya had seen the Mehra family felt like one unified family.
Abhi came to the room as Pragya left abruptly from the terrace. When he came to the room he saw her crying. "Pragya what's the matter? Did I do something wrong?" "Thank you" Pragya said while wiping her runny nose with the back of her hand. "You have not done anything wrong. Actually aaj aapne mujhe wo sasural diya hai jo main apne liye chahti thi. Abhi today I saw our family as one unified family. I know ki ye sab aapne mere liye kiya hai and dadi will say that it was possible because of me but the truth is that you made it happen. You unified this family Abhishekh. Thank you so much." Abhi smiled as he had been able to give Pragya something which she wanted. "Aur pati? What qualities did you want in your husband? Pragya batao na." Pragya looked at Abhi. Was he really asking her about her choice for her life partner? Why what use of it was now? Abhi understood what Pragya was thinking. He pressed her hand to get her out of her thoughts. "I wanted a simple man from a simple background. Maine kabhi nahi socha tha ki meri shaadi aap jaise kisi insane se ho sakti hai. 9 to 5 job wala pati, shaam ko hum dono apne apne job se free hokar station par milte phir ghar aate, who fresh hone jaate aur main humaare liye chai baanti, din bhar jo kiya uske baare mein hum baatein karte, dinner banana aur saath mein khana... Chhoti chhoti khwahishein thi meri..." "Aur maine tumhe gold digger..." Sh... puraani baatein nahi... Hum kal ki baatein karte ahin. So what's the next plan in Mission Pragya Patao..." Pragya smiled as Abhi looked down like a student caught. "How did you know what I was trying to do?" "I am a teacher Abhishekh, when a shararati student suddenly talks about sharafat samjho ki uske dimaag mein kuch khurafaat pak rahi hai. Ek baat kahoon? Thank you mere liye itne efforts karne ke liye. No one has done anything like this for me ever. No one has ever made me feel so special."
"Pragya mere saath chalogi?" "Kahaan?" "Wahaan jahaan humaare ilawa aur koi na ho. Siur fhum aur humaari baatein. Pragya main tumhe tumhaari nazar se dekhna chahta hoon. Main zindagi dekhne ka tumhaara nazarziya janna chahta hoon. Pragya main tumhaari har baat tumhaare shabdon mein sunna chahta hoon. Chalogi mere saath?" "Ek shart par kya aap mujhe kisi se milwayenge?" "Kiss se?" "Abhi se, I mean dadi aur Purab ke Abhi se... Uss Abhi se... Uss nanahe se bacche se jo aaj bhi aapke andar zinda hai... Wo Abhi jise waqt se pehle bada hona pada... Milwayenge?" Abhi first took Pragya to the beach, the same beach where he had saved the damsel in distress from drowning in the sea. Abhi and Pragya talked a lot about her. He asked her many questions about her, her work, her family, her dreams, her ambitions, her likes, her dislikes... Pragya at times laughed at him because he was really curious about her like she kids would be about E.T. They stayed there talking for hours and they did not even realize. The night had passed and as the sun rose, the sky became a glorious shade of blue while it went from light yellow to a more intense color mixing in with purples and breaking-up the deeper shades of blue from the previous night. As all of the purple and deep blue faded away the sun took its mighty position at the top of the sky shining so very blindingly beautiful. The sun came carrying with it the torch of a new day a new beginning in the life of Abhi and Pragya.
On their way back home Abhi took her to his old home. Pragya was shocked to see that Abhi used to live in a chawl. It was very early in the morning so not many people were around. He showed her the public tap where his mother filled water from. "Ma used to fill water from here and take the buckets up to the second floor where we lived in a one room kitchen house. Pragya main ma ko help karna chahta tha but she never let me. I used to feel bad that she did not let me help her. One day she let me lift a pail of water by the time I reached our home there was very little water left in the pail. Tab ma ne mujhe samjhaya that if I want to help her I had to work hard and be a god student. If I studied and got a good job I would be able to take care of her... Main kabhi ek accha student nahi tha and by the time I was capable of taking care of ma bahut der ho chuki thi... I had lost her." Pragya for the first time was seeing the real Abhi. He showed her the place where Purab and he used to play and talk about their future. Pragya smiled as Abhi excitedly spoke about his childhood days. He shared both happy and sad memories with her. There were many things that no one knew about Abhi... He shared them with her. Abhi and Pragya were both very happy to have shared a side of them which no one else knew.
The next few days Abhi made little efforts to impress Pragya and he did succeed. Whenever he spoke with her he looked directly into her jadu bhari eyes. He was soft spoken not only to her and dadi but also to others. He was really looking forward to becoming a mamu and was working hard at being a good chachu to Bunty Babli. He also asked Akaash questions about his baby girl. He not only wanted to make peace with Pragya but also with Suresh. He had apologized to Suresh and especially Raccho. If it would have been Abhi he would have taken Akaash's guarantee and would have convinced Raccho to forgive and accept Akaash but not Abhishekh. He told raccho to take all the time she needed and in the mean time he would make sure that Akaash will work to being worthy of Raccho and the baby. Dadi had helped Abhi by giving him this piece of advice. "Sometimes it's the smallest thing that makes a lasting impression. A single smart comment or a couple of small gestures can really impress a woman, while an offensive remark or a display of carelessness can utterly doom your chances. A woman will decide relatively quickly whether or not you're worthy, and all the little things you do or don't do will help her make up her mind."
It had been 2 weeks since Pragya had moved back home. Abhi finally gathered courage and asked her out on a date. "Date? But how can we go on a date we are married?" "So what if we are married? Even married people go out on date night. Alright let's pretend for the night that we are seeing each other. Ab toh date par jaa sakte hai na?" Pragya liked the idea of being courted by Abhi. It would be her first official date not with Abhi but the first official date of her life. "What should I wear? Where are we going? I mean I should dress accordingly na?" Pragya was very nervous to go out with Abhi. She had to think about his reputation and also that she did not give the people at that place make fun of her. Her izzat was Abhi's izzat. Abhi looked at her and made her face him. "Whatever makes you comfortable wear that. Pragya I want to date you, the real you the one who would change for no one. I want you to be you. Ek minute. Here you go wear this." "You really want me to wear this? Sure na? Apki image and all..." Pragya looked at the off white net saree designed which Abhi chose for her. It was a very beautiful saree with resham, zari, cotton thread, sequins and patch border work. It had a black art silk blouse with sleeves. It was not her saree and Abhi did not remove it from her cupboard. "Wo I had got it for you. I hope you like it." "Like it I love it!"
Pragya took the saree and she went to get ready for the date. Abhi made a few phone calls. He wanted everything to be perfect. It was 6:30 in the evening. Abhi got ready and he went down to the hall. "Pragya hurry up we will get late. Ye ladkiyaan bhi na inta time kyun leti hain tayyar hone mein?" Just as he said this he heard the chun chun of Pragya's anklets. She looked stunning and elegant in the sari. Abhi's mouth formed a perfect o. Pragya loved the effect she had on Abhi. Abhi had this effect on a million girls but she was the only one to have this effect on him. She blushed as Abhi shamelessly ogled at her in front of all the family members. "Chachu moonh band karo macchar ghus jaayega." "Haan Abhi date par jaana hai hospital nahi." "Oh ho Abhi tu bhi na kitna bada fool hai phool nahi laaya Pragya ke liye." One after the other all the family members said something but Abhi was lost in Pragya's beauty. Pragya gave him the famous Professor Pragya look telling him to behave himself. Abhi and Pragya bid good bye to everyone and left. Abhi was driving really fast as he wanted to reach the date destination to view a magical sight with Pragya. They reached just in time. Abhi brought her to his friend's beach house. It had a private beach. Pragya looked around. There was no one there other than the two of them. She looked at Abhi. "Pragya I know what you must be thinking. Pragya I am not ashamed t b seen with you in public. Main nahi chahta ki tumhe mere alawa koi aur dekhe. Pragya I am in the public eye always and haan tum bhi public eye mein aaogi mere saath but ye pal ye khoobsoorat pal aur iasa har khoobsoorat pal main surf tumhaare saath jeena chahta hoon." Abhi pointed in the direction of the sky. It was a beautiful sight. The night and day sky were merging. This experience was as beautiful as seeing the sunset or sunrise from two different places at one time.Pragya's feet were sinking in the sand so Abhi lifted her in his arms and took her to the dinner area. It was a beautiful arrangement. Abhi also sang for her. It was one of her favorite gazals.
Jhuki Jhuki si nazar bekaraar hai ke nahi
Jhuki Jhuki si nazar bekaraar hai ke nahi
Dabaa dabaa saa sahi dil mein pyaar hai ke nahi
Jhuki Jhuki si nazar
Tu apne dil ki jawaan dhadkanon ko gin ke bataa
Tu apne dil ki jawaan dhadkanon ko gin ke bataa
Meri tarah teraa dil bekaraar hai ke naheen
Jhuki Jhuki si nazar
Wo pal ke jis mein mohabbat jawaan hoti hai
Wo pal ke jis mein mohabbat jawaan hoti hai
Us ik pal kaa tujhe intezar hai ke nahi
Jhuki Jhuki si nazar
Teri umeed pe thukaraa rahaa hoon duniya ko
Teri umeed pe thukaraa rahaa hoon duniya ko
Tujhe bhi apne aap pe ye aitabaar hain ke nahi
Jhuki jhuki si nazar
Jhuki Jhuki si nazar bekaraar hai ke nahi
Jhuki Jhuki si nazar bekaraar hai ke nahi
Dabaa dabaa saa sahi dil mein pyaar hai ke nahi
Jhuki Jhuki si nazar
Abhi and Pragya had a wonderful time. Pragya was touched by Abhi's efforts. He had really worked hard to win her back. It was time he was rewarded for his efforts. Pragya stood up from her place and went to Abhi.
Humein hai mohabbat tumse kaise tumhe hum bataye,
Yeh raaz bhala kaise duniya se hum chhupaye,
Ae humdum teri har ik ada pe fida ho gaye hum,
Tera chehra yeh roz sapno mein aakar humein sataye,
Tumhe kya khabar koi tumhe kis qadar chahta hai,
Dil darta hai jataye to kaise hum jataye,
Dil ki har umang pe, mausam ke har rang pe,
Koi chupke se aakar tera naam kyun likh jaaye,
Tum base hue ho humdum sirf mere sapno mein,
Par tum zindagi ki haqiqat ho kaise hum batlaye,
Mohabbat ka koi imtihaan lekar dekho mere humdum,
Tere liye zamaane se kya Khuda se ladkar hum dikhlaye...
Pragya smiled at Abhi as she confessed her love for him. He stood there with tears running down his cheeks. He pulled her in a bone crushing hug. I love you Abhishekh. I love you so much." "I love you to Pragya. I love you too so so much."
Abhi and Pragya's date destination.
Abhi and Pragya went out on dates regularly. They spend time getting to know each other better. On Abhi's insistence they also remarried in a private ceremony where only the family members were there. It was their wedding night. This time things were different. Aliyah too enjoyed her brother's wedding. She at every ritual extorted money from him. Abhi gladly paid her. After the wedding ceremony was done Abhi was excited for the first night. It showed on his face. The more desperate he was to be alone with Pragya the more he was troubled by the family members. Pragya was feeling very happy but she was feeling very shy and nervous for the first night. Pragya was sitting on the bed decorated for her and Abhisehkh's suhaag raat. She heard Abhi and Aliyah at the door. "Bhai cmon itni kanjoosi? 10,100 rupees toh bante hain." "What? Aliyah tumhaara dimaag kharab ho gaya hai!" "Fine." Aliyah made a bechara sa face moved to let Abhi enter his room. Abhi tried to open the door but it would not open. "What the... Pragya open the door!" "Pehle meri pyaari nanand ko uska neg dijiye." "Pragya main tumhe choddonga nahi." "Jab pakad hi nahi paayenge toh chodne ka toh sawaal hi nahi uthta." Abhi paid Aliyah but Pragya still would not open the door. "Pragya I paid her ab toh open the door." "How can I? It is locked from outside."
Abhi saw that the door was latched from outside. He glared at Aliyah who ran away before Abhi could take the money back. Abhi entered the room and saw Pragya sitting on the bed with her face covered. "Oh dekho toh sharmeeli dulhan Pragya. Chashmish kaise chui mui bankar baithi hai. " Abhi was annoyed with Pragya for siding with Aliyah and not him. Abhi came and sat facing her. He was admiring her beautiful form. He could see the touch of crimson on Pragya's cheeks through the thin veil covering her face. She was waiting for him to lift her veil. When he did not she cleared her throat and softly spoke with him. "Abhishekh aren't you forgetting something." Abhishekh patted on his chest, on his side and finally on his back. "Oh no, I haven't forgotten. I have protection." Pragya's eyes popped as if she had never heard of protection. "Wo nahi! I am speaking of something else. Before using protection you will have to do something else!" Pragya was annoyed by Abhishekh not lifting her veil. She wanted him to see her and she wanted to see him. She had not seen his face from the past 3 hours. Abhishekh was confused. "Kya bhool raha hoon?" "Lift my veil." "Why should I tumhaare haath mein mehendi lagi hai?" "It is a custom the husband lifts the veil." "Arre meri chashmish aaj ke zamaane ki naari hai. You can lift your own veil." "No I will not I want you to."
"What if I make you lift your own veil?" "You are challenging me on our first night... I mean it's not our first night but it is our first night. Fine I accept the challenge. I will not lift my veil." Abhishekh suddenly became thoughtful... He got off the bed and was moving out of the room. Pragya saw him walk towards the door. "Abhishekh aap kahaan jaa rahe hain?" "Wo Pragya tumne kaha tha na ki kuch naya shuru karne se pehe puraane ka khatam hona zaroori hai. And also I am trying to be your Abhishekh toh you had not liked that I broke up with Tannu over the phone so main aata hoon uske saath face to face break up karke." On hearing Abhishekh's answer Pragya lifted her veil and she was standing on the bed with her hands on her hips. "If you take one step out of this room Abhishekh Mehra toh aapki khair nahi!" Abhi smiled at Pragya. "Oh toh Pragya ko jalan bhi hoti hai!" He came and stood in front of her. He put his arms around her and lifted her in his arms and put her down. "So main jeet gaya ab mujhe mera inaam chahiye." "What do you want?" "You in mind, body and soul." Pragya buried herself in Abhi's arms.
"Can I..." He stopped and his jaw flexed. "Can I kiss you?" Pragya wanted to preserve this moment, this slice of time when the night was cool and bright with reflected moonlight and the possibility of a kiss hung between them, full of unspent promise. Every event in her life after this would be different because she would have been kissed. Pragya didn't answer, and he didn't wait for her to. His hands caught her gently behind the neck and he pressed his mouth to hers, softly but firmly. Then he moved one arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. Abhi and Pragya expressed the love they felt for each other in every possible way. This was the first memorable night of many more to come. The moonlight crept inside the bedroom and fell on Abhi and Pragya as they became AbhiGya.
A/N: Dear readers, This is the Final Chapter of this SS. I hope that you have enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thank you so much for all the LIKES, wonderful comments and the enormous support. For one last time I request you all to hit like and please leave behind you wonderful comments.
Kindly forgive my mistakes.
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