Thanks for the comments and likes. I tried something different and I'm glad this story is being well received. I am not going to say who the person is but you all have your own good guesses and at the end of this chapter I just threw a curve ball. Happy reading and keep the likes and comments coming.
Chapter 2
Abhi got to Pragya first and pulled her towards him. He saw Pragya had covered her eyes with her hands and was still screaming in pain. There were tears streaming continuously down her face which was now covered with red powder. Frozen to see his Chashmish in pain it was Akash that pulled Abhi back to reality hearing "It's chilli, we need to rinse bhabhi's (sister-in-laws) eyes." Abhi guided Pragya to the kitchen sink and Purab called the doctor. After what seemed like ages Abhi saw no trace of chilli but Pragya was still writhing in pain as her beautiful eyes burned. Abhi picked up his wife and led her to their bedroom. Akash and Purab waited downstairs for the doctor to come.
The doctor came and began treating Pragya whose eyes were bloodshot red and severely swollen. She could barely open her eyes to let the doctor examine. With difficulty the doctor managed to put some eye drops in Pragya's eyes before bandaging them. He told Pragya he was going to give a sedative so she can sleep comfortably until the pain subsided. The doctor got his injection ready and Abhi held Pragya's hand for comfort. Within a few minutes Pragya was sleeping and the doctor left giving a prescription which Akash took and he advised Pragya will need to come to his clinic in a week's time. Abhi kept looking at Pragya who was now sleeping peacefully but he couldn't shake the image of his Chashmish in pain. He then closed his eyes and finally the tears he had tlingering in his eyes for the longest time flowed and he was relieved that his Chasmish was fine. His phone rang and he saw another text which read 'Nothing serious this time and no promises for next time. Tell your wife to take care and pretty soon she will be put to a deep sleep.' Abhi clenched his fists and knew he had to something. He texted back but no answer. He kissed Pragya's forehead and went downstairs to talk to Akash and Purab.
Next day it was closer to noon when Pragya woke up. She was alarmed at first that she couldn't see but then remembered the unfortunate event and not wanting to but her body shook reliving that awful moment. Abhi was by her side holding her and he was telling her "It's all ok. Doctor said there is nothing serious but you'll need to have your eyes bandaged for a week. Don't worry I am here with you." Pragya opened her mouth to say "Don't tell our families I don't want them to worry for me." Before Abhi could say anything they heard Aaliyah say "Good morning bhabi" and Bulbul saying "Hi di." Pragya first greeted them then to Abhi she said "You told them. Now you two..." Aaliyah cut Pragya off to say "We are here to help. You can't expect Bhai to take care of everything so he's getting a bit of help." Bulbul added "We are here for Jiju and not for you. Yeah he told us to be with you and run your household until you are all better. So relax di and take it easy." Pragya was touched that Abhi arranged this and she hoped that by taking care of her Bulbul and Aaliyah will get a bit closer. Pragya remembered it wasn't easy getting Aaliyah to consider her as a friend but these two ladies were fine with each other but there was still a bit of awkwardness between them. Abhi had a lot of questions running through his head but first he needed Pragya to tell what had happened. Breaking the small talk of the ladies he asked Pragya "What happened? Did you see who did this?" Pragya replied "I had ordered takeout for dinner and instructed the driver to come to our deck's sliding doors at the back of the house. You guys were sitting in the living room discussing something urgent and I thought it wise not to have you all disturbed. The delivery man came and I paid him and he left. A couple of minutes later there was a knock and I thought it must be the delivery man as he might have forgotten to deliver something but I noticed the clothing was different and his back was towards me. I opened the door and next thing I couldn't see as he there chilli on my face and pulled my glasses off and there some more." Pragya had a few tears streaming down her cheeks, Abhi wiped them and cupping her face said "It must be a prank and the person got the wrong house." Pragya responded "It doesn't matter it wasn't right. What kind of a cruel prank in this?" Abhi kissed her forehead and told Aaliyah and Bulbul "Take care of her."
Abhi, Purab, Akash and Suresh sat in the dining room and everyone made a list of who they suspected. Suresh was called just in case this person had a personal vendetta against Pragya as Abhi wanted to cover all angles. Names were called out and everyone gave their opinion, names were taken off and new names were added. What nagged Abhi the most was that someone had told the security company that he's coming a day later so that is why no one was here yesterday. This person knew which people he dealt with. He has now doubled the security as this person is lurking close by and is keeping a watch on the house. Suresh advised to tell Pragya the truth but Abhi insisted to tell her later as she is still in a bit of shock.
In the evening Abhi was by himself and all he had from the day's work was a long list of names. Exhausted and worn out he went to see his Chashmish. He sat next to her and she bolted right off the bed. She put her hand up and started scolding Abhi "Why didn't you tell me? This is a serious matter and you called it a prank? You didn't think I had a right to know? Someone called and told me but I should have learned this from you." Abhi went up to Pragya and covered her mouth with his hand "You have a right to know but you went through a traumatic experience yesterday. You are still a bit on edge because of it and I didn't want to add to it today. I would have told you in a day or two. Trust me." He took his hand off and pulled her into an embrace. He heard Pragya saying in a low voice "Why is there always something trying to come between us?" Pragya turned her head up trying to look upto Abhi's face and said "Could it be a crazy fan of yours?" Abhi didn't say anything but this was his worst fear that it's a person that they don't know. How could he save his precious Chashmish from a person they don't know anything about? He only hoped it was someone they knew.
Anupamaa
