Surprise! Surprise! This is the 1st Chapter! (blame it on my writing spree!😆) And can't wait so posting it now.
Happy Reading!
😃
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A Life Without You...
Chapter 01
"So Mrs. Mehra I am putting you in charge of all the competitions. You will have to discuss with the judge panel and get it all done. As for all the literary competitions like essay, poetry and stuff, we will have the competitions within this week... But for other competitions like singing, dancing... we are going to have the competition this Friday... The trustees are going to get a celebrity to come but as of now I have no idea as to who it would be... But most likely he or she will be the chief guest as well... Okay any questions?"
"No sir... Thank you..."
As Pragya left the Principal's office she mentally listed down all the things that need to be done.
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"Di! Just a minute! Di..."
"Oh ho Purvi... I really don't have time... So much to do... The celebrity judge is going to come any minute now..."
"Yes Di... That is what I wanted to tell you..."
"Oh Purvi... I really don't have time... You want an autograph from him? Okay I will get it...okay happy? Please baba got to hurry..."
Purvi looked helplessly at her Di running around barking commands to all the people around. Di I got to tell you about the celebrity... Dunno how you will react when you see him...
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Phew... All done! Now where is this celebrity!? And why can't they ever come on time! Abhishek had a knack for being fashionably late! Why can't they care about other people's time...? Pragya wondered as she leaned on the nearby wall crossing her arms.
"Oh Abhi... I just can't wait to see him! This is so exciting!"
Abhi? Did she say Abhi? Maybe! But Pragya why are you getting goosebumps? There are many Abhis in the world apart from your Abhishek right? Yaa... Probably some other Abhi... But she said she can't wait... Wait to see him... Wait to see Abhi! Celebrity!? Rockstar Abhi!? No! No! This is not happening! This can't happen! Pragya calm down and find out first.
"Priya..."
"Yes Ma'am?"
"I am sorry but I overheard you telling about some Abhi..."
"Oh yaa Ma'am... Abhi! He is coming today right? I am so excited! I am a huge fan..."
Pragya gulped nervously.
"You mean Abhishek!? He is coming here?"
"Who is Abhishek ma'am?"
"Wa... Wahi... Rockstar Abhi!"
"Oh really? His name is Abhishek? But ma'am how do you know that? Even I didn't know that... Oh looks like you are an even bigger fan than me!"
Pragya watched as her student went on with her ramblings about her idol. She went onto talk about Rockstar Abhi's life... His songs, endorsements, even his likes and dislikes, his habits... Even in her dismayed condition Pragya was amazed at the painted picture Abhishek has created in order to maintain his Rockstar image. If she had not known that Priya was talking about her estranged husband, Pragya was sure that she would identify Rockstar Abhi as a different personality altogether!
The commotion outside the hall broke her trance. Screaming girls, shoutings, repeated echoing of the name "Abhi!" All signalled her that he is here.
Now what! I don't want to come in front of him! But I can't leave either! If I stay here he is bound to see me... God why did I agree to become In charge of this competition! What am I going to do...? Pragya nervously clutched her dupatta as the noise grew closer with each passing second.
Go with the flow! Haan... Pragya that is it! Just go with the flow!
He is not here as your husband! He is the chief guest and I am a lecturer here. So behave as you would if it was some other celebrity! Okay!? Okay! Take a deep breath and smile!
Thus, Pragya mustered all her courage and managed to get a smile on her face just as Rockstar Abhi entered the hall amidst the entire screaming, cheering crowd.
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There she is!
It was as if someone has pressed a mute button. As Abhi's eyes landed on Chashmish all the noise seemed to have evaporated into thin air.
She stood at the bottom of the stairs standing close to the massive stage. She was having a big smile on her face but he didn't have to look twice to identify it as a fake. She was clutching her dupatta and her beautiful eyes roamed everywhere but somehow they just refused to land on the main attraction of the hall! That being me... Abhi mused.
She was nervous! Very very nervous!
She was nervous to see him!? Well, it must have been unexpected for her!
I also thought I would never see her again... But when the invitation came I could not refuse it! I accepted it without any conditions! I never do that! I am way more surprised than those trustees! Then why! Why did I accept this offer?
Of course it is not to have all these crazy fans scream into my ears! I love the attention! No doubt! But I am way past attending college competitions! Then was this all for her!? To get one glimpse!? Abhi! What are you doing? You cannot think like this! You were worried for her well being so you thought it's good to see her and make sure she is doing okay... Yaa... That is the reason! I was worried! That is all! Nothing more!
"Sir? SIR?"
Abhi came out of his trance and looked at the man standing next to him. Now who the hell is he!? I remember him introducing himself but I can't recall him now.
"Come sir come... This way..."
He leads me down the stairs and I follow him. With each step I take I am closer to My Chashmish than I ever was in the last month. And as the thought comes to me I feel my heart missing a beat...
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Rockstar Abhi!
Leather jacket, ripped jeans, white t-shirt, dog tags, wrist bands, rings...
Pragya observes it all through her peripheral view. But still her courage fails her to look into his face. Thank god he is wearing his shades! I don't want to look into his eyes! I just can't! And I won't!
He seems to be taking in the whole crowd as he pauses at the top of the stairs. Of course! He loves the attention! And now the Principal is leading him downstairs and I nervously twist my dupatta.
As they reach the last step I move away to let them pass but Abhishek stops and turns towards me. He has finally seen me. Or rather I assume he has seen me as I cannot be sure with his shades on.
"Oh... Mr Abhi let me introduce you to her. This is our newest addition to the staff... Mrs. Mehra... She is In charge of all the competitions..."
"Mrs. Mehra..." I feel a shiver run down my spine as I hear the familiar teasing tone. I raise my head a little, and feel my cheeks heating up as I see the smirk forming in the corner of his mouth.
"Well, hello 'Mrs. Mehra'! It is good to see you again!" His teasing voice emphasizing on 'Mrs. Mehra' followed by his 'good to see you again', finally provokes me to look him in the eye.
"Again? So have you two met before?" Principal asks us amazed.
Before Abhishek opens his mouth I quickly nod in acceptance.
His smirk grows as he finally removes his shades and look into my eyes. As soon as I look into his eyes I felt my budding anger melting away... His eyes... Oh so innocent yet so intense... Oh How I missed guessing each emotion that runs through them...
He gives his hand and I automatically take it in mine. I missed this too... Holding onto his big, strong hands...
The sound of the microphone announcing the beginning of the competition brings me back to the reality and I quickly withdraw my hand. Principal makes Abhi sit and motions me to sit next to him. I reluctantly accept and sit next to him.
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Okay Abhi Focus! Focus!
Err not on Chashmish... But on that idiot who is standing on the stage with that mike.
Well I am not being fair... I know that! That guy is actually good. Sings well but of course nowhere close to me! And this Chashmish she hates my songs! But now she can't take her eyes from that idiot!
I am Abhi! Rockstar Abhi... You can love me... You can hate me... But you cannot ignore me Chashmish! You just can't! I won't let you! I will show you soon!
I hear people clapping and this brings me back to senses. I look at her during the short break but she refuses to look at me. She scribbles on the papers kept on the table! Damn those papers!
"Excuse me sir?"
Oh damn this man too... Who the hell was he again...? Yaa the Principal! Why does he have to talk to me during every single break!? I don't want to talk to him! I just want to talk to HER! Just her! Is it so hard to understand? I sighed internally and turn towards the infuriating man with my smile in place.
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He could have at least pretended to be interested!
Pragya pondered as she looked at his untouched papers while the last participant left the stage.
All this while his eyes were only on me! But why!? Many pretty girls came on stage, and some even tried their level best to impress him... But I wonder whether he even noticed...
Pragya gained a strange happiness from the thought.
Strange! He loves to hog the limelight and this was a good chance... Young girls dying for his attention, his biggest fans as they call themselves... So why?
Of course! He is still guilty! Maybe that is the reason! That is the only reason.
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"Sir... I have a request... Well actually, all of us have a request... Can you please sing a song...? One song sir... Please."
Finally! Finally the man got some brains!
"Yaa of course! Why not?"
Abhi flashes his most charming smile at the principal and waves at the crowd behind him in the audience as he gets up. The hall is fully packed and people were literally standing on their toes on every available space just to get a one glimpse of him. Yet Chashmish doesn't even acknowledge him!
"Abhi! Abhi! Abhi!"
As the crowd goes mad and began to chant his name, Abhi blows a kiss towards them knowing full well the effect it would have on his crazy fans.
Okay Chashmish! Show time! Let's see how you ignore me now!
Abhi notices her turning back on her seat to look at the cheering crowd, amazement written all over her face.
He finds a smile forming at his mouth as he looks at her innocent amazement.
Oh Chashmish...
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WOW! Wow! He was a natural performer!
How come I never knew he was this talented!? I should have listened to Bulbul and seen his shows with her and Daadi! At least I would not be so surprised.
He handled the crowd so effortlessly... And being a lecturer she knew it is not an easy job! His boyish charisma coupled with his rugged good looks intensified the craze in hundred folds.
Of course he sang the same stupid song "happy love"! But Pragya was surprised to find herself humming the lyrics with the crowd. I must have been caught up in the moment... Otherwise it is such a meaningless song...
But it was such a thrilling experience to see him performing live for the first time! Mind-blowing is the word, I guess...
"Once more! Once more! Once more!"
She could not help but laugh at the enthusiasm of her students...
"Okay! Okay! But I have a request..."
The crowd went silent in mere seconds to listen to the request of their Rockstar.
"Actually I want to dedicate this song to my wife... I know this is one of her favourites..." Pragya felt her mouth gaping open and the crowd went "awww" at the gesture of their idol.
"But before that I would like to request Mrs. Mehra to join me on the stage to sing this song..."
Mrs.Mehra!? Yeh Mrs.Mehra kaun hai.. NO! NO! NO! He cannot be serious! Is he out of his mind?
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She is slowly getting on to the stage. I can see disbelief and anger written all over her face... I miss making her angry!
"Pragya Ma'am! Pragya Ma'am! Pragya Ma'am"
The crowd is cheering her name. She must be quite popular among the students. I see her give a nervous wave to the crowd and finally she stands beside me.
"Abhi! Pragya Ma'am! Abhi! Pragya ma'am!"
The cheering intermingling both our names makes me happy and I wave at the crowd.
"What the HELL are you doing?"
Chashmish mutters angrily besides me.
"I am about to sing! Why?"
"Oh stop it! Don't act smart! Why are you doing this!?"
"I don't know Chashmish... I mean Pragya... I really don't know. But I know I want to sing with you... And now I got a chance... I don't even know whether there will be a chance like this again... So just help me out... And please sing with me... This is a request."
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He sounds so sincere. But is he really sincere? Or is it just a facade? Whatever it is I don't have much choice other than to agree to him. So, I nod and soon they put a mike on my hand.
He begins to play his guitar and I feel a shiver run down me. So he did like it when I sang it on Aaliyah's Mehendi ceremony. But then he had to be all egotistical and criticize me on sur-taal.
Apne karam ki kar adaayein
Yaara, Yaaraa... yaara!
I find myself loosing in his powerful voice. His eyes are closed.
Mujhko iraade de
Kasamein de, waade de
Meri duaaon ke ishaaron ko sahaare de
Dil ko thikaane de
Naye bahaane de
Khaabon ki baarishon ko
Mausam ke paimane de
Apne karam ki kar adaayein
Kar de idhar bhi tu nigaahein
The intensity of his voice shakes me to the core... It is as if this is more than a song to him... As if... As if it's his true prayer...
Sun raha hai naa tu
Ro raha hun main
Sun raha hai naa tu
Kyun ro raha hun main
He slowly opens his eyes and looks at me directly in the eye while playing his guitar. I try to read his eyes but their intensity scares me. So I close my eyes and begin to sing.
Manzilein ruswa hain
Khoya hai raasta
Aaye le jaaye
Itni si iltejaa
Ye meri zamanat hai
Tu meri amaanat hai haan...
Apne karam ki kar adayein
Kar de idhar bhi tu nigaahein
Sun raha hai naa tu
Ro raha hoon main
Sun raha hai naa tu
Kyun ro raha hun main
Abhishek's voice again takes over the song. I lower my mike but I refuse to open my eyes. I can already feel tears threatening to escape my eyes and I am determined to not let them leave.
Waqt bhi thehara hai
Kaise kyun ye huaa
Kaash tu aise aaye
Jaise koi duaa
Tu rooh ki raahat hai
Tu meri ibaadat hai
Finally, I join him in the song and I hear the crowd going mad. I open my eyes but they look straight ahead at the audience blocking him out.
Apne karam ki kar adaayein
Kar de idhar bhi tu nigaahein
Sun raha hai naa tu
Ro raha hoon main
Sun raha hai naa tu
Kyun ro raha hun main
Yaaraa...
Finally, as the song ends I turn towards him and at the same moment he does the same. Our eyes meet and we both are startled to find them wet. In front of us the audience breaks into a standing ovation.
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