Hi guys!!! MID-WEEK surprise!!😆
So this is more of a transitional chapter!
More AbhiGya coming up soon! And a lot more trouble to occur in AbhiGya Paradise!😳
To know more keep reading and keep commenting!
I will be back soon with a lot more "melodrama" 😛😛😛
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CHAPTER 6
ROCKSTAR IN DILEMA
Abhi woke up in the morning and saw that Tanu had already left for her shoot. He was glad. He didn't know how to face her in the broad day light after last night. He shut himself in his room all morning. He couldn't even look up before the mirror. What was he thinking? Chashmish was drunk, he wasn't! He was in his senses and he tried to kiss her? And he would be successful had chashmish not spoken out loud and reminded him! How did he forget he was married? And having a weak moment with chashmish? Did he not realize that it could ruin absolutely everything? He wasn't sure if it already hasn't. He checked his phone again, there was no call from Pragya or even message. Then a small sly voice inside him spoke, is he worried about him being infidel to Tanu or is he worried that Chashmish wont forgive him? What was weighing him down? Abhi didn't want to answer that question. All he wanted right now was that Chashmish didn't remember much of last night.
Pragya awoke next morning with a piercing headache. At first she couldn't think what gave her that headache, then it came back to her in flashes. She had gone out with Abhi, she had tried alcohol last night. She tried thinking what else had happened, but it was a blur. She remembered sitting on the cars bonnet, she was talking and laughing and...then her memory failed her. She got up to find herself still in the nigh-out clothes, she lazily got up to go and freshen up. This Abhi was a storm thought Pragya affectionately and casually checked the time.
Pragya didn't have much to do today, she ate breakfast, dusted her house, watched television for a bit, read some books and did some more cleaning, but time wasn't passing. She casually kept glancing at the clock all morning. Once she even opened the main door to press her doorbell and check if it was working, it was yet...what Pragya didn't even mentally want to accept was, she was expecting Abhi.
It was past four in the afternoon, Abhi was lying down on his bed, and he hadn't left his room even once all day, not even for lunch. Suddenly his phone rang, first he let it ring for a while, he knew it was Purab calling him, he had been trying to contact him all morning but Abhi refused to answer his call. But after a point when the phone obstinately kept ringing, he decided to cancel the call. As he took the phone in his hand, he flipped and got up on his bed. It was chashmish calling. He froze, he didn't know what to expect.
Abhi - Chashmish?
Pragya - Abhi? Are you busy? Should I call later?
Abhi relaxed a bit, he recognized that tone. She wasn't angry, she probably didn't remember much about the night before, especially about his exploit.
Abhi - No, chashmish. Say?
Pragya - Purab has been trying your number for a while now, he is worried for you. I had called BB she told me Purab and you had a meeting with a producer today, why didn't you go?
Abhi - Oh. Right, actually I over slept. I had a bad hangover.
Pragya laughed hearing that, and Abhi relaxed his muscles. No, Chashmish definitely doesn't remember anything.
Pragya - Ask me about it! I feel like an Alzheimer patient. I cannot remember anything in clarity!! But I have to agree Abhi, it was so much fun. Thank-You!
At the mention of the night before, Abhi was uncomfortable again. So far he was wishing chashmish didn't remember anything, but now that she actually didn't, he felt all the more guilty talking to her.
Abhi - Err...okay. Thanks for informing me chashmish, I will call Purab. I got to go now. Bye.
And before Pragya could respond, he hung up. Pragya was a bit surprised. What had happened to Abhi why was he sounding so awkward? Did she say anything uncomfortable last night? Pragya dearly wished she remembered everything of the night before.
As the week begun, Pragya resumed college. Her days were filled with lectures and other academic duties. She had informed the college that Suresh had to go back to his home town as Rachna was unwell. Abhi didn't contact Pragya ever since that afternoon she had called. She often wondered what had happened. She would call BB talk to her and keep an ear for Abhi's news. She would get it sometimes, that he had a concert somewhere, he and Tanu was attending a social event somewhere, she would feel relieved hearing these, but would also feel a little down wondering why he suddenly stopped contacting her. He came into her life as a storm and after he left, nothing was the same. Effectively he had spent three days with her, and in those three days, Pragya had found a friend in him, someone she was always looking forward to meeting, someone who could make her smile and most importantly, someone she could trust.
DESTINY'S WEB IN ACTION!
It was Thursday again, and Pragya decided to spend the day with BB. Her visit to BB's was long due. So she thought she would go and spend the day with her. She reached BB's just before lunch, to see an over excited BB come to greet her! They hugged for a long time and finally settled down to chat. It had been a long time since the two sisters got this opportunity. They spoke of sundry things, their mother, their sister Purvi's latest love interest, Rachna's health, Purab - how romantic he was and suddenly BB innocently asked Pragya about Suresh - how he was doing at Benaras, how he must be missing her di, and how after returning, he would make it up to her. These words scorched Pragya, but she kept quiet.
It was evening when both sisters where having tea and watching their favourite movie - Little Women - from their childhood which was coincidentally on air. While they were enjoying the show, Purab came back home and with him walked in Abhi. Pragya was surprised, what was Abhi doing there? But when she looked at BB, she didn't look surprised at all! She realized, Abhi must be a regular visitor at BB's, like he was at hers a week back. A slight annoyance shot through her at the thought. She thought their friendship and his free and easy behaviour was just around her, it was exclusive. But it seemed Abhi behaved the same way with everyone around him. Abhi saw her and stopped for a second, he seemed unsure how to react, but he recovered very fast and warmly asked her how she was.
The rest of the evening, as they chatted and watched the movie, Pragya felt Abhi was consciously avoiding eye contact with her. She didn't know why, but his indifference hurt her.
While helping BB in serving dinner, Pragya casually asked her if Abhi visited often. A carefree BB replied that Abhi visited them almost every alternate day. To this a curious Pragya probed further.
Pragya - What about his wife? That super model Tanu? She comes too?
BB - No di! Mad or what! That haughty, she hardly has time for Abhi. Abhi jokes that if he sees for two consecutive days for dinner at home, he gets surprised thinking something is amiss! He jokes about her di, but I feel deep down he is lonely. Purab feels so too, that is why he tries getting Abhi home whenever he can. Purab feels, with us around, he feels a little less lonely sighed BB.
Pragya suddenly remember back at her home that night they went to the hill top, she had asked him where his wife was when he was bored on a Saturday night, and he had mumbled she was busy. She distinctly remembered that second long clouded face.
At the dinner table they chatted for long. BB was cracking silly jokes on Purab and they were laughing. Purab was telling funny childhood pranks of his and Abhi's. Everyone was laughing and having a good time. Then Abhi started talking about Purab's crushes in his college days and Purab got a raised eyebrows look from BB. Pragya was laughing heartily, she enjoyed this warm and loving relation BB shared with Purab, she wished she ever had this with Suresh. Suddenly Purab looked at Pragya and asked.
Purab - Pragya di, you say! Have you ever had a crush on anybody in college?
BB replied to this before Pragya could open her mouth.
BB - Haha Purab, di was always so hopelessly in love with Suresh! Even in college, di would attend lectures which were not in her timetable, just to be with Suresh in the classroom. And my unromantic jiju wouldn't pay any heed! But of course times have changed; jiju has also learnt a few things about romance from my di I suppose.
BB giggled and Purab smirked, but something burnt inside Pragya and it got hot tears to her eyes. She suddenly remembered those days, she would sit close to his seat and glance at him, but now that she remembered, even then the first time they spoke, it was when Suresh had asked an innocent question about BB. It was BB even back then, only she failed to see. Suresh had simply asked if that tall girl with whom Pragya walked home from college - was she her sister? She controlled herself, and looked up to see Abhi directly looking at her for the second time this evening, and his eyes were full of concern. Did he know something? Did she spill on Suresh that night? Oh God.
Pragya quickly made an excuse and got to the washroom, she shed her tears there and washed her face and stood there for a little bit. In the meanwhile, BB at the dining table continued with Pragya's lovestory.
BB - You know Abhi, back then we all used to tease jiju for his ancient clothes and even more ancient priciples. Only di saw through them and saw who he really was, my di. No wonder they are such a wonderful couple.
Purab - But BB didn't you say that Suresh bhai was your neighbour? Then why did you guys meet in college?
BB - Haha we have a joke for that too. Yes Suresh jiju was our neighbour for some time but not from the beginning, we joked that he had fallen in love with di and had moved to stay closer to di!
As BB said this, her smile faltered for a second, as if she remembered something painful. Purab didn't notice this and continued chatting. But Abhi noticed it. He remembered chashmish saying that BB had come to know about Suresh's feelings once, maybe she had realized that back then his true motive was to stay close to BB not Pragya. Pragya soon re-joined the table.
BB - Acha di, what was the most romantic thing jiju ever told you? Asked a giggling BB.
Pragya looked at her uncertainly, her mind was reeling, but she couldn't think of even one time when Suresh was romantic with her. True he cared for her, they laughed and smiled and understood each other, but romance - never.
Purab - Shut up BB, why you making di uncomfortable?
Pragya - I think it is quite late now, I should be leaving, and else I won't get a taxi for home!
BB coaxed her di to stay the night with them, but Pragya declined. The next day was Friday, it was her off day, she easily could but all the mush talk and BB's innocent enquiry of her and Suresh's married life, was too much for her. She wanted to be out of there as soon as possible. Purab told Pragya that he wouldn't let her take a cab at this hour, instead he would drive down and drop her. Pragya declined saying it was too far and Purab needn't drive to and fro that far. To this Abhi interrupted saying Purab needn't go because, he would drop Pragya home. To this everyone agreed and to her annoyance, Pragya felt a sudden lightness in her stomach!
THE SUN PEEKS THROUGH THE CLOUD
As Abhi and Pragya left BB's, they drove quietly for fifteen minutes. From the back mirror Abhi saw Pragya was lost in thoughts. She must be reeling about whatever BB said. He remembered that last Saturday evening when Pragya wept out her deepest secret before him. That familiar sympathy and protective feeling was back.
Abhi - Ae chashmish, don't feel too bad. BB didn't mean to upset you. As you know, she has no freaking idea about all this.
Pragya stared at Abhi horror struck. What on earth did he say? How the hell does he"
Pragya -"All this" meaning?
Abhi turned around; he didn't want to hide it from her anymore. She needed to know she had confided in him, and he wanted her to know that he was a trust worthy secret keeper.
Abhi - Your and Suresh's truth - BB.
Pragya stared at him uncertainly as slowly it began to dawn upon her - she will never drink again. Her eyes started filling with tears and she just wanted to disappear from there and never face him. How could she be so careless?
Abhi read and understood her expression. The strength, that he had mustered to tell her about their intimacy that night, suddenly seemed to go poof. If this news could devastate her, he shuddered to think what that news could do. He decided to not tell her that. Instead he said that she could trust him. He was a friend and told her about the promise he had made that night. Pragya was touched by his genuine support, but something else crossed her mind.
Pragya - Is this why you were avoiding me all this while?
Abhi wanted to say yes, but somehow it wasn't easy to lie when looking at Pragya's eyes he figured. He just replied saying he was really busy all week, and before she could question further, he gave his wicked smile and said, "Oh! Tomorrow is Friday, you're off and I don't seem to have much work either!"
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