Thank you all so much for the wonderful words!
I think by now you've come to realize that I have absolutely no plot in mind when I write. Guilty as charged. 😛 I need only to look at Abhigya and I come up with all these weird scenarios in my head that I need to put into words. This is very AU- I apologize if I don't seem to follow KKB's actual storyline- I write as I go. I'm having such a fun time writing this and I hope you guys are enjoying it too!
This takes place before the extra on pg. 3.
Pragya has been seen massaging her lower back all day. To some, it might seem as if she simply has her hands on her hips but if you look closely, her fingers are moving methodically in a circular pattern. From the moment she woke up, she's been experiencing a dull ache at her lower back. She was tempted to tell Abhi this but once she saw how tired he looked even after a full night's rest, she refrained from saying anything to further his stress. He was preparing for a three-day tour and finalizing his business plan to start a record label, it was clearly taking its toll on him. He really was a professional, he gave his utmost when it comes to work and, sometimes, though she never told a soul about this, she felt left out and ignored among his hectic schedule. She knew he didn't ignore her on purpose because he was just naturally driven and single-minded about his goals, but it does hurt to come second in his priorities. Then again she understood the man, she loved him, flaws and all, and with that in mind Pragya chose to keep her concern to herself.
As her pains grew more intense during lunchtime break, she wondered whether keeping it all to herself was a wise decision after all. She caressed the small swell that was her unborn child and prayed that everything was going to be just fine.
"Pragya, are you not feeling well?"
She was disrupted from her musings when a colleague came up to her and touched her gently on the shoulder. Pragya met her friend's kind eyes and decided to tell the truth.
"I hope so. It's just that I've been having these dull aches right here,"
Her colleague followed her index finger and frowned.
"It's been pretty mild.. I don't know, the dull ache turned into sharp stabbing but it comes and go and only lasts a second or two. Should I be worried?"
"How far along are you?"
"Nineteen weeks tomorrow."
"You shouldn't feel cramps this far in your pregnancy, Pragya. Have you told your doctor?"
"What? No. I-I didn't think it's serious, I just thought it was normal for a woman's body to experience these kind of things during pregnancy. Maybe I should call-"
Just as Pragya was about reach her mobile phone, a particularly sharp pain in her lower abdomen caused her to double over.
"Pragya! Pragya, I think you should go to the hospital."
Pragya bent at the waist and gasped at the pain radiating from her lower back, she then firmly pressed her hand to the very spot. She felt as if her insides were being twisted by a sharp knife. She scrunched her eyes tight, willing for the pain to disappear. She could hear footsteps scrambling towards her and gentle hands reaching out to help her stand up. She didn't pay them any mind, she concentrated on evening out her breathing and praying fervently for the pain to leave her body. She moved both of her hands to circle her belly and held tight. As her colleagues helped her exit the room, she whispered to the unborn child she carried.
Please, please be alright. Mama's got you. I got you, baby. I got you.
=========================
Abhi was studiously reading a monthly report he's about to sign when the telephone on his desk went off. His accountant raised an eyebrow when Abhi didn't pick up the phone.
"You're not going to answer that?"
"What? Oh, urgent calls come through my mobile phone. Now, where were we? Can you give me a brief overview for last month's sales?"
What Abhi didn't realize was that in his haste to leave for the office this morning, his mobile phone was running so low on battery that it cannot receive incoming calls and text messages.
=========================
Pragya held back a pained scream and gripped the bed railings. Fortunately, after a thorough examination, the OB/GYN told her it was not life-threatening, both for her and the baby. Their reassurance, however, didn't do anything to lessen the excruciating pain she was experiencing. It was only after given the suitable amount of drug that Pragya began to feel better. The pain was still there, dull and throbbing, but it no longer made her want to rip the hospital bedding to shreds. She placed her hand on her belly and tried to feel the subtle flutters of the baby. Her lips lifted into a small smile when she felt the little flutters. Pragya groaned at the remaining ache in her lower abdomen and moved her head towards the door. She's been screaming at the nurses attending her to contact her husband but there was no Abhi to be found. Pragya didn't shed any tears throughout her painful ordeal, but staring at the empty space beside her, the tears she held at bay until now finally spilled over her lashes.
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Abhi looked at his wristwatch and sighed out loud. It was such a busy day that he didn't even have time eat lunch. His mind immediately wandered to the one and only person he thought about whenever his mind is not submerged with anything business-related. What was Fuggy doing? Has she eaten? He smiled indulgently and began patting his pockets for his phone. Once he located his phone and took it out, he frowned at the black screen that indicated empty battery. He was about to plug in the charger when the door before him burst open.
"What is wrong with you?!"
"What- why are you screaming?!"
Abhi has enough to deal with as it is, he doesn't need anybody to shout at him when he's hungry and tired.
"Why didn't you pick up your phone-"
"It's flat-"
"Pragya's in the hospital-"
"I forgot to charge it- what?"
"Oh my God, you didn't know? Pragya's in the-"
At the mention of Pragya' and hospital' in one sentence, all the possibilities of what that implied made his blood run cold. His hands clenched into fists and he rushed towards Purab, dragging him out the door.
"Where is she? What the hell happened, Purab? Why didn't anyone tell me?"
Abhi eyed Purab wildly, begging for answers. Purab looked at his friend helplessly and firmly guided Abhi towards the exit. He can feel his friend's shoulder shake uncontrollably. Once they were both seated in Purab's car, he faced his restless friend and tried to placate him.
"Relax, Abhi. The doctors-"
"How can you expect me to relax?! My wife is in the hospital and I just found out now! How can I be so stupid?!"
Abhi exploded into a rant and pulled at his hair. Purab, who was now driving, reached into his pocket and promptly dialed Bulbul. She answered his call after a few rings.
"Hello, Purab? Where are you? Is Abhi with you?"
"Yes, he's with me in the car right now. We're on our way, we'll be there in about 10 minutes."
"Oh, good. Pragya's condition is stable now-"
"Oh, thank God."
"Yes, and she's sleeping under sedation but, Purab, she needs Abhi right now. She was screaming for him and refused to rest until he comes. The doctor had to put her under sedatiion because her constant stressing is harmful for the baby. Please hurry, Purab."
Purab glanced sideways at the still form of his best friend. Abhi stared unseeingly into the distance, clutching the mobile phone in his grip.
"OK. The traffic doesn't look too bad, we'll be there in no time."
"Alright, I'll see you two soon. Take care. Bye."
After pocketing his mobile phone, Purab tried to appease Abhi by relaying Bulbul's message.
"Bhai, Bulbul said she's fine. Pragya's condition is stable now. No need to panic, OK? She's resting and she's hoping to see you soon."
Abhi clenched his teeth so hard Purab can see his jaw muscles quivering. His only response was a gruff "I should've been with her" that was only just heard by Purab since it was uttered so distractedly. He didn't say anything else for the remainder of the journey.
=========================
Abhi's gut clenched at the sight before him. His sweet, beautiful wife looked so small and fragile as she lay in the large hospital bed. He stepped into the room noiselessly, trying not to disturb her rest, though he knew it was unlikely to be woken up by the mere sound of footsteps when one is under sedation. As he neared closer, a small lump formed in his throat seeing Pragya's sickly pale face. He touched her cheeks gently with the back of his hands, pausing at the feeling of warm breath whispering over his knuckles, seeking reassurance that she's alive and well.
Her breath is warm. She's alive.
He leaned down and touched his lips on her dried ones ever so softly. As he straightened, his eyes fell onto the hand that perched on her swollen belly. He lightly stroke her fingers and winced at feeling how brittle her bones are compared to his sturdier ones. He then placed his palm onto her rounded belly and hung his head.
I wasn't there when she needed me, when they needed me. Forgive me for neglecting you, Pragya.
=========================
Pragya tried to lift her eyelids but it felt peculiarly heavy. Her whole body felt numb and sore at the same time, she wanted to groan but with the parched feeling in her throat she swallowed heavily instead. She licked her lips and tried opening her eyes once again. She didn't have any questions regarding her whereabouts, she knew exactly where she was. She stared up at the rather minimalistic and impersonal hospital ceiling and sighed. The IV drip attached to her arm was itchy and she made to lift up her opposite arm to scratch it when she realized there was a weight holding her down. She glanced towards her left and realized belatedly that Abhi was asleep with his head pillowed on her free hand. She felt conflicting emotions all at once- relief, affection, anger, and disappointment.
She tried pulling her hand away but Abhi's head immediately snapped up at the movement. He groggily looked at Pragya's face with his bloodshot eyes and trembling lips.
"Oh, sweetheart, you're awake."
He was about to caress her cheek when she moved her head away from his touch. Abhi felt like someone had kicked him in the chest. He unsuccessfully masked the hurt on his face at her withdrawal. He bent his head to regain composure. He knew he was at fault but seeing her turn away from him broke something inside him, he felt like he could break down then and there. He opened his mouth but words won't come out.
"The baby is fine, if you're wondering."
Her voice was cold and held no emotions. She looked away from him and chose to stare at the table full of hospital equipments instead.
What about you?
Abhi didn't realize he voiced his thought out loud. He sensed Pragya's cold stare directed at him but he couldn't lift up his eyes to meet hers. He felt like an utter coward.
"I'm fine now."
"Fuggy-"
"They tried reaching you on your phone but you never answered."
"It was off. My battery was dead-"
"And your office number? The batteries died too?"
Abhi finally lifted his head to look at Pragya and couldn't find it in him to veil his hurt. He stared at her with wounded eyes, begging her to understand and forgive him. He didn't know how to answer her and falteringly changed the topic.
"I-I talked with your doctor. They said it was signs of pre-eclampsia. Good thing they detected it early. I'll find the best doctors in the country and-"
"Are you like this only after something's happened?"
"What?"
"Do you only consider your wife when she's laying on a hospital bed, fighting for her life?"
"You know that's not true-"
Pragya was uncharacteristically brutal with her words and kept attacking him. In hindsight, she realize that the day's events shook her, made her teeter on the brink of a nervous breakdown. When she was taken into the ER, there was a voice in her head incessantly whispering that her baby would not survive this ordeal. Though the doctor gave her all-clear, she still had that niggling doubt and couldn't forget the close call to losing her unborn child. In short, Pragya was still in shock.
"Really? Are you so special that no one can reach you, Mr. Rockstar? Your line of work too important to answer a simple call?"
"Please, Pragya, today was just so-"
"Today? Oh, please! You've been so busy with your work for weeks. You wouldn't even notice me if I had died bleeding on the bathroom floor."
Abhi was so shocked to hear the bitterness and viciousness in her voice that he realized the severity of her words only after she paused to regain breath. He accepted the onslaught of her repressed anger because he believed this was his punishment. Just when he thought his heart was battered and bruised, he heard a choked sob from the direction of his wife. Her tears maimed him more painfully than hateful words ever could.
Without any caution, Pragya reached up for Abhi and buried her face against his solid chest. He was caught off guard and can only stare forlornly at the top of her head. Deep heart-wrenching sobs were ineffectively muffled and his grey t-shirt soaked up all her tears. He hesitantly closed his arms around her shaking form, taking her into his embrace. When she didn't pull away, he gathered her fragile body closer to him and unconsciously started rocking her. He felt the tell-tale sign of crying himself and without a second thought hefted himself up onto the bed, mindful of her delicate body, and continued to hold her as she released all the pent-up anger and fear. Abhi shifted and pressed kisses onto her entire face, trying to wipe away the tears in vain. He kissed her eyelids and felt the faint tickle of her lashes against his mouth. He wanted to shield her from the world.
From himself.
The paper-thin, fragile skin of her wet eyelids trembled under his lips and he wanted to howl. He hated seeing her cry. He'd never felt so helpless in all his life, because if he made it his life purpose to keep her happy, then why is he always making her cry? He moved his lips so that they were aligned with her ears and whispered brokenly, trying to convey his regret.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Please, please forgive me, baby. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Don't cry, I beg you."
Pragya hiccuped and croaked out her own apologies.
"I'm sorry too. I d-didn't mean those horrible words. I was just so, so afraid. I thought I was going to lose our baby. I'm s-sorry."
Abhi shushed her and hastily lifted his fingers to caress her wet cheeks. He felt the convulsive catching of her breath and held her even tighter. His hand drifted down to the swell nestled between their bodies. He cupped her belly and felt an uncontrollable shudder run through him. He held his whole world in his hand. How many people can say that? This is his whole world. Pragya and the baby, they gave meaning to his life and he neglected them. He felt unbidden hatred towards himself, he felt unworthy, undeserving of her love. He started to pull away from her but she stopped him almost instantly. She glanced up at his face worn with fatigue and stared meaningfully into his jaded eyes.
"I know what you're thinking. I know you're going to start feeling guilty and blame yourself. I won't allow you, I won't let you distance yourself away from me and let all that regret eat you up. I forgive you."
Abhi's breath hitched in his throat as she spoke the words like a benediction for his tortured mind. He tried pulling himself away from her again because he felt even more undeserving of her acceptance but she was not having any of it. She cupped his jaw with both of her hands and pressed her forehead against his. She placed her hand on top of his and leaned closer to him. Together their breath intermingled, he inhaled the breath she exhaled and their lips met in a light, undemanding kiss. This was to calm their frayed nerves, this was to regain footing. This was them picking themselves up and starting all over again.
Abhi silently made a promise to himself. For as long as he lived, Pragya and this child, along with any other children they're blessed with, will be the drive behind every decision, and his wants and desires will no longer be revolving around himself but them. He kissed Pragya's temple once more and smiled at her effort to wriggle even closer to him before surrendering to sleep.
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Unknowing to the occupants in Room 202, Bulbul, Purab, Sarla, and Purvi peeked silently through the door left slightly ajar. There were tears in all their eyes, except Purab who smiled proudly at his bhai. They knew it was an intimate moment for the husband and wife, and they really did try to give them their privacy, but they couldn't walk away. They weren't able to hear Abhi and Pragya's conversation but they could make out their expressions. It was wrong of them to invade their privacy any further so Purab half-heartedly dragged the women away from the door. He then pulled out his phone to contact the rest of the family in Mehra Mansion.
Edited by valschanya - 10 years ago
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