AbhiGya FF - Because you love me - Completed - Page 8

great updates poor Abhi hope he will be ok, thank god Aaliyah was there to tell Pragya the truth, I like how Abhi gave Aman the dog-tags that was sweet of him. I can't wait to read the next part hope you post it soon

Chapter 7

Pragya entered the bedroom; Abhi was lying on her bed sleeping. He slept so soundly that if Pragya didn't know he was sleeping, she would think he was still unconscious. She slowly walked to the bed and sat down next to him. As she sat there looking at his face, Aaliya's words ran through her mind. She stared at him in remorse, and slowly her focus shifted to his injured wrist. She uncertainly touched the bandage with the tip of her finger with the slightest pressure. He had tried to give up his life for her? For her? It somehow didn't feel real. The Abhi she knew had pledged that he wouldn't come to rescue her even if she was dying somewhere. Is it the same man? Today her emotions knew no bound. She went closer to him on the bed, careful not wake him up. She had the entire night now, when she could shamelessly stare at his face and she needn't even bother masking her longing for him from her face. He was sleeping, he couldn't see. As she sat next to him and gently caressed his scalp with her hand, she looked into his features closely. Even in his sleep he looked dejected. His eyes looked sunken and there were fine lines on his temple, his lips were unusually dry. She realized, behind the onscreen rockstar's makeup, he was unusually unkempt. But he wasn't like this before, even in sleep there laid his mischief. But today he looked tired. It seemed like this one year had done more to him than her. The tiredness that she could trace on his face was something that comes with much more time, but it came to him in this one year. Pragya realized how long this one year must have felt for him. This one year away from him didn't teach Pragya as much as she learnt now just by seeing his face tonight, it revealed all.

Here, in this beautiful landscape, she found peace but happiness lay in fighting with Abhi for silly matters. She saw things in better perspective tonight - about the trap Aaliya put her in - now when she looked back with the knowledge that it was Aaliya who weaved it, it didn't feel as sacrilegious. It felt expectable. She gasped in horror when she realized the true picture in her mind today - she felt defeated in life after that, not because such an unfair plot was made to trap her, it was because she felt, it was her Abhi who had made it to trap her. The plan didn't ruin her, it was her impression of who weaved it that shook her. How could she be such a fool? Abhi was right, he had indeed broken her trust, and that shook her, not the success of the plan. She shuddered to think that even in total unawareness the amount of trust she had in Abhi's sense of fair play. And it was the same earlier today. It was not that she wasn't mentally prepared to walk out of his life even legally - she had thought about the divorce herself too - she was only devastated after thinking what Abhi did to get the divorce - it was never the outcomes that mattered as much to her as much her Abhi's actions did. Today she found perspective at last, daadi was right, they did have a spark flying between them, they were meant to be together, because today she realized she loved Abhi, her husband Abhi, and he loved her too.

The moment was too powerful - she bent down gently and placed a soft kiss on the palm of his injured hand, and another kiss on his forehead - her Abhi's forehead. All was well now.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Abhi woke up next morning to a sore feel on his wrist. As his eyes adjusted to the light, he looked around and found himself in Pragya's bedroom. The curtains weren't drawn and a bright beam of sunlight fell on his bed. He looked out of the window intently for a while, as he remembered last evening - he had destroyed his chashmish, thought Abhi to himself. The state she was in yesterday was all his doing thought a guilt consumed Abhi. It is true that he wanted to fix things right with her, but not at the cost of destroying her. In order to remove his guilt for what he had done in the past, he would be guilty of wasting his chashmish completely this time. No he can't do that. He would rather fail his daadi then fail Pragya this time. He would take her from here, back home, and make sure Sarla ma takes her back. She will live with her loved ones and be happy. As for him, he will never ever claim his rights on her. He will be a friend who Pragya can count on for life. He will be at a distance from her and protect her without her knowledge, he will give her whatever she wants, even divorce. He owed this to his chashmish.

Pragya came inside her bedroom to wake him up, and saw him awake and sitting. She blushed a little and then got embarrassed. She was not used to being around the Abhi she was in love with. She didn't know how to react. And most importantly, she was curious of his reaction. Abhi stared at her in confusion. Wasn't this the same chashmish who almost got the dagger out on him last night? Why was she smiling now? He would never understand his chashmish, she was impossible. She came near the bed and asked him to come for breakfast. An utterly perplexed Abhi got up and followed. She enquired how his hand was, to which he replied a "fine". But this ambiguity cannot continue, he had to clear this out now. He held her hand and stopped her. Pragya felt Abhi stopping her and slowly she turned to face him.

A - Chashmish, I am really sorry about yesterday, I didn't intend to hurt you. I -

P - Abhi, don't be sorry. You have already repented enough. I am sorry, I should have"

A - Stop right there chashmish, you will never apologize to this miserable excuse for a husband before you. Not after what all I have done to you. You are justified in hating me and if you ever find it in you to forgive me, I would be elated.

"And if I ever fall in love with you?" - thought Pragya. But she kept quiet, instead she said,

P - Abhi, please you have to stop blaming yourself for everything. I agree you were at fault at some point, but all this is not completely your fault. There was a fair share of misunderstandings and most importantly, whatever fault you had in this, you have punished yourself for a year for that. I hold no grudges against you. Please stop blaming yourself.

Abhi stared at her, how did she know how he pinned for her all this while, how he wanted to meet her once just to say sorry for all of that. Pragya looked at him and understood his confusion. She thus told him how Aaliya had cleared all her misunderstanding the night before. She told him he was cleared off all charges in her head.

Abhi broke into his crooked smile at hearing this. So finally all misunderstandings were clear, there was no issue between him and his chashmish. Did that mean she will go home with him? Thought Abhi, and before he could rethink he blurted this out before her.

She looked at him once and shyly looked down, her Abhi, usually he was such a charmer to women, but when it came to her, where were these charms? Why was he so tactless? If he wanted her with him forever, why couldn't he pledge his love for her in a more romantic way?

She asked in a warm voice, why he wanted her home with him. He thought of his daadi's face when she would hear her Pragya was coming back, he knew for once even Aaliya would be very happy. And he? He would be so happy to get back into sharing the bond they had - fights, drama, fun and friendship. He told her this, and her smile faltered. That was it, he was asking her to come home because of daadi, Aaliya and their fun fights? Was there nothing more to it? Didn't their relationship grow into something much more than that in this whole year? But Abhi's clueless face answered for her.

Pragya took a step back. She was horribly wrong in hoping this time. Abhi loved his family, he could do anything for them, and because of the revelation of Aaliya's plan before him, he went on a guilt trip. This brought Abhi to her doorstep apologizing - not love. Pragya's world collapsed inside her as she quietly asked Abhi one more question.

P - So we will go back again, make everyone happy and again plot and plan of ways in which we can tell our families, the truth of our marriage? That we aren't a real husband and wife inside our bedroom? That the only difference this separation made was, earlier we were uncomfortable with each other and now as friends we will think of ways to break out marriage? Which will again eventually lead to their heartbreak? Do you realize all our fights were related to this marriage that was not working. If nothing has changed Abhi, why should I go back home with you?

Abhi knew she was right, but it somehow didn't feel right. He saw that indeed there was no point in getting back together since they weren't husband and wife really, and also now would be a good time to break the truth of their relationship to their families. But it didn't feel right. Until now, it felt like all the pieces in the jigsaw puzzle were in place, but without Pragya with him in his house, all seemed distorted, only he couldn't place how. This irritated him. He told Pragya that he never understood the point of her roundabout questions. He didn't know what the correct answer was, why could she just not tell him what answer would satisfy her into coming home with him.

Pragya realized what was going on, to her relieve, she was wrong. Abhi loved her alright, just he didn't know that himself. That's why he had no justifications to why he wanted her home with him. An irritated Pragya retorted, if he didn't have the answer to her question, then there was no point in anything. She will not be going home with him. They could be friends yes, but friends don't need to share a bedroom in a marriage. They could call off their marriage and still be "friends" spoke a sarcastic Pragya.

No. No. N. That doesn't feel right. He and Pragya staying separately as friends? Never. But why not thought Abhi. Why did it matter to him? Well he had all the time in the world to introspect thought Abhi. Now he just needed an answer to convince chashmish against the idea of moving out.

A - Maybe we could reconsider the idea of calling off our wedding?

P - And why so? (exasperated)

A - I answered one "why" now it's your turn, you tell me "why" (smiling childishly)

An irritated Pragya turned to leave the room; she had tears in her eyes. More than sadness, these were tears of anger. Anger at her husband's immaturity. "Silly monkey" she muttered to herself.

A - Who do you think you called silly?

P - Oh, so monkey wasn't offensive right? As much as I thought.

A - Ae chashmish, don't act too smart with me.

P - I don't need to act smart, I am smarter than you. At least I know how I feel and why I want, what I want. Unlike you. Confused idiot.

A - Me a confused idiot, now you have gone too far you "know-it-all" drama queen.

They were almost at each other's neck, when to both their surprise they realized how close they were. They were both pointing a finger at each other's nose and they were so close that their noses would collide if they got closer. Suddenly they realized this, and their eyes locked. All the beautiful memories of their silly fights came back to them and both their eyes filled with a film of water. Abhi held her hand that was pointing a finger at him, with both his hands, and looked at Pragya earnestly.

A - See chashmish, these are our moments. The moments we cherished for the entire year. You don't want them back? You don't want to come home with me to relive these moments?

P - So you dumped Tanu just for these fighting moments?

A - Huh? No.. I"

P - And you lived like a zombie for an entire year "just" because of these fights?

A - Chashmish..

P - And most importantly did you try giving up your life, just because I wasn't there to fight with you Abhi?

Pragya's voice cracked of the mere pain this knowledge gave her.

A - No chashmish..but I don't know how you're relating them here...I.."

Pragya felt desperate. And Abhi couldn't think of any reason suitable to woo his chashmish. Of all the women in the world, he had to woo chashmish. Uff. And how weird is she? Abhi the rockstar wanted him as his wife, and she was busy playing twenty questions. But then that was chashmish for him.

Pragya couldn't take this anymore, she slowly raised her hands and cupped it around Abhi's face. This felt so good she thought, she could feel the daze in his eyes too. But no, there were more important things to decide now. She held his face and looked intently into his eyes, he looked back with equal intensity.

P - Did you do all these - breaking up with Tanu, fighting with Aaliya, helping Purab and BB get together, taking care of my mother, and even slitting up your wrist - just because you wanted me back as your friend or there is more? Did you not feel something special? Something more?

A - You mean "love"?

Pragya stopped breathing for a second, and quickly tried to take her hands away from his face, but he stopped her. He held her hands so that her hands still cupped his face. An embarrassed Pragya started shifting on her spot uncomfortably, she had said too much. Of course he didn't love her, that's why he was pretending to not get the point. He didn't want to make it awkward between them. How could Pragya not see it?

Abhi on the other hand was stunned. Yes, that was the word. It's ashame he didn't quite place it in good time. All his frustration, desolation, whining for her company, feeling happy when around her, searching for her like a maniac, begging Suresh for her address - all these - just about culminated into that one word - love. How did he not see it before? Or did he not realize it before? He loved his chashmish. And only with the word "love" thought he could answer all of chashmish's question she just asked. Now he knew the reason why her staying in the marriage and with him in his house mattered. Now he knew why they shouldn't call of their marriage. He found himself repeating.

A - You are asking me if I love you?

P - Abhi...actually..let it be, I -

Abhi suddenly realized how he overlooked his own feelings for chashmish. He was in awe when he realized, he knew it all along, it was a given - he had always loved her; he had loved her from the moment he had set his eyes on her for the first time. Daadi saw this but he couldn't. It was but obvious for him in the subconscious, hence he never thought about it consciously. He found Pragya muttering something before her, but this was a moment of deep realization for him, he cut across her sentence.

A - Ssh chashmish. How can you be so nave? After all this, you are actually asking me if I love you? - Isn't it obvious? (and his boyish grin was back, as he looked at her teasingly for missing out such a simple thing)

Pragya looked at him thunderstruck. "Obvious?" she muttered to herself. Since when was anything obvious in her and Abhi's life? Ughh. Such insufferable arrogance, too bad she was in love with him, mused Pragya. And he just said he loved her? Her heart was beating so fast that she felt like she would hyperventilate.

P - Mr. Abhishek Prem Mehra (she laughs exasperated) Indeed. Obvious - is a word that can be so well associated with you. Whatever happened with us so far was so obvious isn't it? It was so obvious that had it not been for me trying to get this out of you, you wouldn't have bothered mentioning that you love me too, and I would have had another fresh set of misunderstanding, and would have gone away from your life again! And this time I would have been as good as dead for you

Cried an amused Pragya, but Abhi didn't let her continue, he pulled her by the waist and slowly pressed his lips against hers.

When he released her, her head was fuzzy by the impact. It felt so right, so beautiful and so serene. She could live her entire life in this moment and die here without any regret.

A - Yehi chahti thi nah tum, ki main tumhe kabhi akela na chodu? Tum jahan bhi ho tumhare peeche kheecha chala au. Toh lo main a gaya. Jin ankho mein mujhe apna aane wala kal dikhayi deta ho, un aankho ko kaise bandh ho jaane deta main. Jo mere liye bani ho, usse kaise kuch ho jane deta main? Jisse dekh kar main yeh duniya bhool jata hoon, usse iss duniya se kaise jaane deta? Jin taro ne hum dono ko milwaya nah, un taaroh se bhi wapas le ata itna pyaar karta hu main tumse

She stares at him for a long time. It seemed like it has been a lifetime since they were near that bridge in the water. Where he has said these line to her. Everything has changed ever since. Everyone has changed with the passing time, but what remained intact was the way Pragya felt mesmerised at these words. She was as mesmerised today as she was that once upon a time. She felt that spending no amount of time with Abhi would be enough for her, hence she decided to begin with "forever".

Epilogue

Abhi and Pragya realized their love and went back to Mumbai. Pragya's maternal family had already forgiven her. Seeing her mother cry for her, Pragya forgot all her anger and hugged her back in her life. Abhi, Pragya, Aaliya, BB and Purab decided to never reveal it to anyone, the truth about Abhi and Pragya's marriage - because the truth had changed. BB and Purab soon got married too. Aaliya found a new sense of support in Suresh, her new friend. A few years later a new rockstar - Aadi Abhishek Mehra popped his head in the family picture, and daadi finally had a picture perfect family!