AbhiGya FF ~ Destiny's Children caught in a Web - COMPLETED - Page 14

CHAPTER 11

THE SHAMELESS EYES

Rachna and Aakash were about to exchange rings. The hall was filled with guests from different high profile backgrounds. Some were associates of the Mehra's Media Company, some were Abhi's sponsors and some were Tanu's high profile model friends. Rachna felt a bit uncomfortable and out-of-place. Today she was extra conscious of her stomach that was protruding out, and that double chin she developed in these months - as she looked around this gorgeous mess of picture perfect human beings, her eyes fell on Aakash. He was smiling at her encouragingly - in his eyes she saw she was beautiful, this comforted her. She smiled back, as they both got up to stand before their guests and exchange the engagement rings.

Pragya helped Rachna get up cautiously, she had her ring. Aakash on the other hand was looking happily at Abhi and silently thanking him for his advice. He knew if Abhi hadn't helped, he could never have won back Rachna. Abhi put one hand reassuringly on his shoulder and with the other hand produced Aakash's ring from his pocket. He gave the ring to Aakash and glanced at Rachna once - she was looking pretty. But then his eyes slid to the next person standing beside Rachna, it was chashmish. He stared. He knew he was staring at her and how much ever he willed; just will wasn't enough to take his eyes off her.

She was wearing a heavily embroidered indigo coloured saree and a pale gold full sleeve blouse. The blouse had a deep neckline that perfectly highlighted her collar bones. The deep blue saree looked like the ocean by the glistening white sand that was her skin. She was wearing elaborate jewellery and her hair was tied in a very sophisticated bun, with soft loose curls bouncing on the shoulder. She looked exquisite. More than anything else, Abhi wanted to go close to her and tuck those curls behind her ears. But strangely noticed Abhi that chashmish wasn't looking at him. She couldn't have missed him within such close proximity, then why was she not even looking at him? Abhi felt a strange anger towards chashmish for ignoring him, but before he could do anything about it, he saw her clapping happily and suddenly realized everyone around him was clapping too. He looked around to see Aakash and Rachna had exchanged rings already - but when? Wasn't he right here? How did he miss it?

Pragya was very uncomfortable trough out the ceremony, as she could feel Abhi's eyes boring on her. She tried her level best to ignore it. But God knows why her heart was thumping madly throughout the time she felt his stare on her. No this is not right 'thought Pragya, and the moment the ceremony was over she got away from there. While she was walking away, she almost bumped onto someone.

Pragya - Sorry, I was in a hurry actually, I didn't see"

Tanu - You must be Pragya - I wonder who you're running away from? My husband Abhi?

Pragya looked up to see a sinfully beautiful woman with a very shrewd set of eyes look back at her. So, this was super model Tanu, thought Pragya. And before she could respond, Tanu continued.

Tanu - Don't worry Pragya, and don't feel uncomfortable. I mean I saw him staring at you all the time and thought I should clarify this before you get those wrong ideas that all his fans dream of getting - Abhi wasn't eyeing you. I mean, with all humility, he doesn't need to eye anyone else when he has me by his side right? (she giggled unnecessarily). I think he was just intrigued by your...ummm (she looked at her clothes distastefully) such lovely clothing. You mustn't take it to heart Pragya, we haven't socialized at this level so far, so just the way your family is having a tough time adjusting to their high-profile relation with us, we are trying too. I promise however..umm.."lovely" you dress next time, Abhi wont ogle at you again.

While they were exchanging these words, they never noticed BB was approaching them.

BB - Don't worry Tanu, my di isn't worried about Abhi staring at her, she was walking away because she felt pitiful towards you. I mean look at you Tanu, you are gorgeous, yet your husband prefers to notice other astonishingly average women over you.

Having said that, BB pulled her di away from an infuriated Tanu. After walking a few paces ahead, BB stopped and turned to Pragya.

BB - Di please don't feel bad, now you see why Abhi is so miserable - As you can see this feather brained super model isn't an easy woman to live with.

Pragya agreed, after this encounter with Tanu, she couldn't help feeling bad for Abhi. She knew he was a gem of a person from his heart - too bad he ended up with her.

Pragya - Don't worry BB, I don't take such non-sense to heart.

BB - But di, I will agree with her on the fact that Abhi was indeed staring at you throughout the engagement. You have any idea how?

Pragya flushed. She has never been good in lying so far and least before her sister. She knew, one wrong word would make her sister suspicious and she didn't want that. Before she could think of a response, Abhi came there.

Abhi - Pragya, BB, I was wanting to talk to the two of you for some time now, good we got this occasion. I wanted to apologize to you BB for what Aaliya had done. I don't know if an apology is enough, but I promise Aaliya won't cause anymore hindrance in your life. And Pragya, I wanted to thank-you for convincing Purab to take the police complaint back and saving my sister from being jailed. I will always be indebted to you for this.

Abhi then smiled at the both of them and left. He was smiling to himself. When he overheard BB and Pragya's conversation, he knew Pragya wouldn't be able to pull off a lie before BB efficiently. Hence he intervened and gave his stare a purpose.

BB - Arre di, that explains why he was staring. He wanted to thank-you. Poor Abhi, I wish he hadn't landed with a mean woman like Tanu.

***

Pragya understood from Abhi's body language that he was looking for an opportunity to talk to her. She wasn't going to let that happen. It was very hard to put him away from her mind in the first place, she wasn't going to fall for him again. She decided to be with her mother-in-law or Suresh all the while. That way he wouldn't ever come near her.

Pragya was standing with her mother-in-law and Suresh and talking about how they would soon miss having Rachna around when Abhi's daadi joined them. Abhi was watching from close by looking for an opportunity to enter the conversation.

Daadi - How are you Madhu (Suresh's mom) ji? You seem a little upset.

Madhu - Nahin daadiji, I was just upset because we were all so excited to play with Rachna's little one soon. Now the baby will not be with us to play with. As much as I am happy at Aakash and Rachna's decision, but I am going to miss my grandchild's company.

Daadi - Arre Madhuji, why do you feel that way. You can come here anytime you want to see the baby, and sometimes Rachna can go and spend time with you too. But why are you worrying? You have such a lovely son and daughter-in-law, for all you know they may surprise you soon with a good news.

Abhi made a face at daadi. Trust daadi to always have the "wrongest" of the ideas in the world!

Suresh - Yes Ma, don't be so upset, I promise you a grandchild soon.

Suresh, as he said that held on to Pragya's shoulder and squeezed it a little and smiled at her contently. Pragya returned the smile half-heartedly, but Abhi was standing behind her, he couldn't follow her expression. As he stood their behind the pillar pretending to text on his phone, Abhi's world collapsed. Chashmish? She was planning to have Suresh's baby? Oh so she is now that happy in her relationship with him? - But shouldn't that make him (Abhi) happy? Then why does he feel that someone has just poked his inside is a hot melting iron rod? Why was he angry? Why did he want to beat the life out of Suresh---as he ruminated, daadi spotted him and called him to join them. Until five minutes back, he was looking for an opportunity to join the group but now he felt he could bear to be in any part of the world but there. He slowly walked and joined them.

Daadi - Listen to what Suresh said. He is such a good son. He just promised his mother a grandchild soon. Learn! When will you and Tanu promise me one I wonder?

All the anger that was boiling in him found a mean way of escaping. He was angry at daadi, he was angry at chashmish but mostly he was angry at Suresh.

Abhi - You see daadi, I am a rockstar not a professor. If I become a father, it may affect my fandom, I can't complain on not having those few extra perks that mediocre people have over us celebrities.

Abhi said that, and walked away from there after one last hard glance at chashmish, who was looking at him in an utterly confused way. Daadi on the other hand was clearly very embarrassed at her grandson's misbehaviour. She apologized on his behalf and muttered something like her Abhi was clearly not ready for fatherhood and walked away.

Abhi walked on, until he reached him room and shut the door behind him. He sat on the floor resting on his door. Suresh's promise kept playing in his head. He knew not why but he was just plain angry. He could murder Suresh tonight.

AT THE RASTOGI'S

Pragya was sitting on a stool before her mirror in her bedroom and taking off her jewellery after the engagement. Her thoughts went back to Abhi's mean words and that cold angry expression. She failed to understand why he was suddenly so mean to Suresh. For once she chewed on the possibility that maybe Abhi was possessive about her - but how can that be? After that fateful night, even Abhi never bothered to call her. Clearly he thought it was a mistake too. Then why was he upset?

Suresh - Ma seems very happy at the idea of having a grandchild around.

Pragya stopped. She knew not when, but ever since she saw that agitated face of Abhi's, it was like her mind was unconsciously working on a plan.

Pragya - Suresh, I had to tell you something. Suresh, we are marrying off Rachna to an extremely affluent family. The entire wedding expenses are quite out of our budget, but we are doing it for their status. Suresh on that, after the wedding, for the first one year, we will be invited at the Mehra mansion for every small occasion, and for Rachna' s greedy mother-in-law we have to take good gifts, lest she insults our Rachna. Plus Suresh your mother is not strong enough to manage all by herself in your village house, but she doesn't want to move in with us - after Rachna we need to invest in some strong domestic help to take care of her there. And Suresh, we are still paying the house loan for this house. If I give up work right now and plan a child, all this will be on you completely. I don't want to burden you. I want to contribute too. Plus if I carry a baby now, you will have expenses on me as well along with the added expense of the baby after birth. Suresh I think we should wait for some more time. Let us at least complete the house loan, settle Rachna, take care of your ma now for a year or two - then we can always have the child you want so much.

Suresh was quiet. After a little while he smiled at Pragya and said, "As you wish Pragya". Pragya was relived, though she didn't know why.

WHO LET THE BOYS OUT?

It was one day before the wedding. Purab had arranged for an extravagant Bachelors Night' for Aakash. All the boys were excited! They hooted like wolfs in excitement! And all the wives were prim. These nights, proven historically weren't the best nights and even though they didn't mind their husband having one days bachelor fun, they never showed that they were okay. Lest it goes too far...

Suresh saw the invite and laughed. He wasn't going of course. These guys were just mad he thought. But on Purab's insistence, he had to go too.

It was an amazing party, Purab had arranged for Russian bar dancers and strippers and a lot of other items from the teen boys fantasy list! Suresh felt uncomfortable. He went to the corner high stool of the bar and asked for some water. The bar man looked up in surprise, but gave it to him anyway. He wasn't going to stay here for long. He would just sit for half an hour for Purab and then leave - the rate at which these boys were drinking, Purab wouldn't even realize if he is gone.

Abhi entered the party in a relatively good mood. True in the last five days all he thought about was Pragya and her impending pregnancy and almost every night he woke up sweating after having visuals of a Pragya with a showing stomach, or Pragya cuddling Suresh's baby. But tonight he was exhausted; he wanted to forget his misery for a while. As he walked inside and joined the guys, he was having a good time. Then his eyes fell on Suresh. His eyebrows curled in irritation. Why did he have to be here to take that one ounce of happiness he had found here today? He realized he was jealous of Suresh's closeness with Pragya. Suddenly he wanted to teach him a lesson - he wanted to humiliate him before Pragya thought a drunken Abhi. Yes, that would teach this foul man a lesson!!

Abhi was approaching Suresh, when he saw Suresh was getting up to leave. Abhi reached him and held on to his wrist. Suresh looked at him questioningly to find Abhi smiling at him. He managed a curt smile - for reasons unknown he still didn't like this man.

Abhi - Why are you leaving so early bro?

Suresh - No, no, I have been here for a long time. And as you can tell yourself, I don't belong here. I came here on Purab's request - I must go now.

Abhi - Hey listen, I know our equation hasn't been the best so far, but we can change that right? Your sister is marrying into my house, I want things to be comfortable between us. If not for anything else, let's drink to your sister's happily married life with Aakash.

Suresh couldn't say no to this. How much can one drink hurt, he thought and agreed. As he gulped down one large neat Jack Daniels, it initially felt strong, but the after taste was quite pleasant. It was smooth and Suresh was feeling nice and slightly more comfortable here in another few minutes. After that Abhi sat with Suresh on the bar counter and he kept raising toasts, "To Rachna's healthy child", "To Aakash's amazing career", "To Akash and Rachna's togetherness"etc. and Suresh kept gulping down whisky.

After an hour and countless neat shots down

Suresh - Abhi, I think I am a little drunk, can you please drop me home? Pragya will be worried otherwise.

Abhi agreed, and he staggered to stand up. Then in one hand he held Suresh and in the other hand he clutched another bottle of alcohol and swayed their way out of the lounge. Soon they were inside Abhi's car and Abhi was driving. Once on the by-pass connecting the city centre to Pragya's residential area, Abhi's car stopped. How much ever he tried the engine wasn't starting. An exasperated Abhi called a mechanic, who promised to be there soon.

Abhi went back inside the car and found his bottle of liquor. He took a gulp and passed it to Suresh, who too took a gulp.

Abhi - So, you and chashmish huh?

Suresh - Chashmish?

Abhi - Chashmish? I didn't say chashmish, I said Pragya!

Suresh - Oh sorry, yes what about me and Pragya?

Abhi - Nothing, she seems very boring. You get along with her?

Suresh - Yes she is the more quiet person by nature, but I am so too. Among the two sisters, BB is the lively one. She is so full of fun and life and laughter (sighed Suresh)

Abhi felt mixed emotions. He liked the fact that BB still attracted Suresh more than chashmish, it meant chashmish was safe from him, but at the same time being chashmish's husband, he was not emotionally faithful to her, this infuriated him.

Abhi - Yes, BB is more lively. She is opposite to you both, and I heard opposites attract. How is it that you fell in love with Pragya and not BB?

Suresh was thoughtful He kept quiet for a while and responded - In life, we don't always get what we want. Maybe Pragya is my destiny, that's why we got married.

Abhi - Your's was a love marriage?

Suresh - It was arranged from my side and love from her's I guess.

Abhi clenched his fists at the simple way Suresh pinned down Pragya.

Abhi - So, if you're unhappy with her, why are you planning to have a child with her?

Suresh - Bunk my reasons, you tell me. How did you two get along?

Abhi was taken aback, did Suresh know something about him and chashmish? He pondered for a while, whether he would lie or not. He decided the latter. Other than how their friendship ended, he would keep it real. After all even Suresh has been honest so far.

Abhi - My car had broken down and I was near her apartment. I saw her come out. I vaguely knew her, hence asked for her help...then we kept growing closer but then with time people fade away, I guess that is happening. I am not sure I want to let her go or not.

Suresh stared at the empty road ahead of him and mumbled - I know what you mean. People do fade away from our lives. Your once best friend can suddenly stop being that and without even telling you start distancing himself from you...he goes so far away..but then he realizes he was wrong and try coming back. But things change by then - the friend isn't waiting any longer to take it from there...the friend gives you other reasons, and never tell you the truth of why they don't want a baby-they just keep going far away, as I stare at the horizon and wait for her...

Suresh was quiet for a while, and he had a drop of tear formed inside his eyes. It never came out. Then suddenly he remembered something.

Suresh - Hey, but from what Rachna, told me, you know Tanu from childhood as she is Aaliya's childhood friend, then how did you meet her for the first time while you were in front of her apartment? And Tanu drives a scooty?

But there was no answer from the other side. Suresh looked around to see, Abhi had passed out on his seat from a long time.

Aafrah I am getting quite slow in commenting here!!! And it drives me nuts!!! So I am reserving this to comment on this chapter and the previous!!

Fab as usual!!! So glad to see Aakash - Rachna relationship progressing and to know AbhiGya are their support system!!👍🏼 Loved Aakash -Abhi bonding. Suresh -Pragya marriage is getting worse day by day. And feel so sorry for Pragya. I like how you make the story move on in two months. Pragya is still missing Abhi badly. Of course it is to be expected given that distance makes the heart grow fonder! 😉 Nice update as usual Aafrah! Loved it!! 👏

Will come back later to comment on Chapter 11! 😉

❤️