Thanks to all that commented. It's really gratifying to read how this story is being received.
Chapter 1 was solely from Pragya's perspective and chapter 2 was practically all Pragya except for the end a"that was from Abhi's point of view. Chapter 3 is once again Pragya and chapter 4 will be Abhi. This is going to be a 5 chapter story and the last chapter will lead to a sequel of another 5 chapters. The sequel will be more light hearted and a bit filmy. This story will end this week.
Happy reading to everyone and do comment. I love reading what you have to say and feel free to critique anything you didn't like so I can write the sequel better. It's been ages since I last wrote anything.
Chapter 3
Finally I am here and I rang the door bell. My dean was gracious enough to get me housing at his favourite cousin's house. He told me a lot about her and she sounded like a lovey person. The door opened, "Hi Mrs Roberts I am Pragya. Your cousin Frank said I could board a room from you. I". She held my hand and began leading me in her home, "Yes Frankie told me you would be coming today and please call me Michelle. Come on in and get settled. Oh my, you're limping and your ankle is quite swollen, lean on me and don't put much weight on there."
She led me to her sofa and she went away. She came back within a minute "This spray is like magic, put your foot on the coffee table and this will really help". I was feeling bad "It'll be fine I will wrap it up and I won't be a bother to you. Sorry for coming in like this I just wanted to get here right away". I thought of what to say next but she was looking at me with a curious look and started talking "Frankie has told me a lot about you and I hope you consider me as your friend. I am really old enough to be your granny but let's just be friends. This is not a bother and you take rest and dinner will be ready shortly."
It's been a month and so far all is good and I am liking it here. I know all my students and teaching is so rewarding. I had a few students who's grades were quite low but I am starting to see some improvement and hope it continues.
I have a routine in my life which I missed dearly, at Abhi's house each day was a mystery as to what am I going to face by the trio's hands. Each morning I am greeted by adorable Michelle at the breakfast table where we chat for a bit over the morning paper and then I head to mandir. From there I am off to college where some of my colleagues have slowly become my friend. When I am back home, Michelle keeps me entertained as she fills me in on her day and then it's my turn. Afterwards we prepare and have our dinner together and after some time we go out for a stroll. After our stroll I call home and talk to everyone. It wasn't easy talking about Abhi initially but from this week they don't mention him any more and we only share what's happening in our lives. Bulbul from time to time would Skype and she shares about her life that she can't in front of mom, daadi and Poorvi. Every day I call Abhi's daadi too and even she has stopped talking about Abhi. Looks like everyone senses that I don't want to come back.
Michelle is now my best friend and confidante. She's very open and frank with me, she's wise beyond her years and I can talk about anything with her. I thank God that where I go I always end up having at least one person who I can call my own, at Abhi's house I had his daadi and daasi's and here I have Michelle. Once in a while I get reminded about Abhi. I don't know why we were destined to get married if we were to separate. It was strange how we would get lost in our gaze when our eyes got locked. One day I shared this with Michelle and she said "For a person who's quite intelligent sometimes you appear to be a bit ... dumb". She saw my startled look and continued "You started liking him as you understood that you felt a strong connection with him. Despite all his tortures you still saw the good in him and you miss his silly and petty antics. I can bet my life that he's missing you way more. Why more? Well he didn't want to understand you when you were there and now that you're gone he has plenty of time to think about you." I couldn't believe my ears, why would Abhi miss me, he couldn't stand being with me so he must be glad that I am gone. I do kind of miss him as he isn't truly a bad person but he gets misguided quite easily. I started smiling about the shervani where Abhi refused to wear his favourite as I picked it out for him. Such a big kid he stomped on it.
I snapped out of that memory when I heard "The sad thing is that you both couldn't give it some time to see where it leads. I know the relationship was complicated and there were way too many misunderstandings to give it a shot." For a few minutes there was silence and before leaving I heard her say "I have a feeling pretty soon you will meet someone who will make you happy." I truly hope one day I will move on with someone who's more compatible with me. Maybe someone who can do anything for his loved ones and who can make me laugh with his antics. Why am I describing Abhi? I don't need a person like him, if only he thought for himself then maybe he wouldn't be quite so bad.
Tomorrow I will let everyone know that Abhi and I are getting a divorce. I think everyone has now understood that we are poles apart. In the last 4 months we haven't met and our families know this. During the last 3 months no one is mentioning Abhi and no one is forcing me to come back. I gave Abhi the divorce papers when I left and in a short while our divorce should be finalized. He's probably waiting to marry Tanu.
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
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