Part 5 -final part
Abhi woke up early the next morning and after freshening up saw that Pragya was still asleep. He walked to the kitchen and came back with a cup of coffee. Pragya had woken up by then and Abhi cheerfully greeted her.
"Good morning, Pragya" Abhi handed her the coffee and she sipped it quietly.
"Thanks Rockstar"
"Go get ready quick we are going shopping today" Abhi clapped his hands together.
"Yay, it will be fun" Pragya leapt up and went to get changed.
"Of course it will be fun, I'm going after all" Abhi winked at her before she shut the door.
She only took a minute and she came out ready.
"Wow, that was quick" Abhi told her surprised.
"Well obviously, what's the point in wasting time on me, that's like trying to whiten coal and then wondering why nothing is happening?" Pragya muttered.
"What did you say?" Abhi asked.
"Nothing" Pragya smiled and walked out and into the car.
Abhi looked after her, he had heard each word she had uttered under her breath and he was surprised she had said that. Why was she so negative about her looks?
'Don't worry Pragya, today I will show you something that you never tried to do" Abhi walked after her determined.
***
"Shall we go home then?" Pragya asked.
Abhi and Pragya had spent the last two hours shopping and choosing gifts for each person in their family. Abhi was impressed that Pragya knew exactly what each member would like, she had learnt everything so quickly.
"Aren't we forgetting something?" Abhi asked her.
"What rockstar, you didn't leave your clothes in the changing room did you?" Pragya laughed at him.
"No, but I think you did" Abhi replied looking at her straight in the eye.
"What do you mean?" Pragya laughed uncertainly.
"You know exactly what I mean" Abhi told her. "We brought stuff for everyone, taya tayi ji, daadi, daasi, aliya, bhaiya, bhabhi, bunty, bubli, even your family and myself but you haven't bought anything for yourself, you haven't uttered a word about your likes or dislikes. Why?"
"Woh - umm" Pragya swayed side to side trying to think about what to say but Abhi interrupted her.
"Come on" Abhi held her hand and they entered a shop full of designer clothes and normal everyday clothes for women.
"Stop it rockstar" Pragya moaned but Abhi didn't listen.
"Abhi" said Pragya removing herself from his clutch.
"What Pragya?" Abhi sighed.
"There's no point" Pragya said. "I don't want anything, it will be a waste of money and clothes really"
"Why do you say that? Come one you were fine all day why are you suddenly moaning so much?" Abhi asked her pinching her scrunched nose.
"I'm fine I just don't want anything" said Pragya.
"Fine you don't but I want to buy stuff for you" said Abhi.
"No Abh-" Pragya didn't finish because Abhi picked up a slim dress next to them and thrust it in her hand and pushed her into the changing room.
"I'm waiting get ready and then show me how you look" Abhi told her.
"No Abhi open the door I don't want to" called Pragya.
"Fine then carry on protesting because I'm not opening the door until you get changed." Abhi kept the door shut firmly while Pragya wondered what to do inside. Well there wasn't much she could do. She stared at the plain white dress. She sighed and began to get changed.
She stared at herself in the mirror, the white dress clung onto her body bringing out her figure coming just above her knees. She looked different she had to admit but she didn't want to show Abhi. What if he didn't like it?
Abhi asked her if she was ready and she replied that he should open the door to see for himself. Abhi opened the door slightly and was left looking at her in awe.
"What? Do I really look that bad" Pragya asked worried. "See I told you we shouldn't have come here" Pragya tried to shut the door but Abhi stopped at her.
"What do you mean we shouldn't have come here?" Abhi made her turn around and look at herself. "Look what is there that doesn't look good, you look mind blowing, so simple yet so sweet" Abhi told her. "Why have you been hiding yourself in those baggy trousers and tops? Look, you look out of this world"
Pragya smiled. "Yeah but I - I" Pragya didn't know what to say.
"You never tried silly, no come on get changed and let's buy this and then we are going to look for more stuff, I refuse to go home without buying you something more." Abhi told her and shut the door.
Pragya came out of the changing room and Abhi got the dress packed. They entered another shop and Abhi made Pragya try on more tops and shorts and dresses. After another hour he had bags full of stuff for her and Pragya had enjoyed shopping. For the first time in her life she had been happy to buy something for herself.
***
As they both entered the house carrying bags full of gifts Abhi realised that Pragya still hadn't told him exactly why she had refused to buy things for herself. Abhi decided he had to talk to her and just then he came up with an idea.
After packing all the gifts Abhi handed Pragya the white dress and pushed her into their room and locked it from outside.
"Open the door now rockstar" Pragya called from inside.
"No, first get fully ready and then come out" Abhi told her.
"But I don't know how to" she called back.
"Don't you worry look who is in there" Abhi told her.
Pragya turned around to see two girls, both had got the makeup and hair accessories out.
"But-" before Pragya could protest the girls made her sit down and got to work.
Outside Abhi began to get ready to give Pragya a surprise. He placed scented candles around the room and opened the glass door which let the breeze come in, it was dark and stars could be seen perfectly, the beach was calm and peaceful. Abhi decorated the room with red and white roses and place a table for two in the middle while Robin prepared the dinner.
***
Pragya opened her eyes and looked at herself in the mirror and didn't recognise herself at first. She looked completely different. The girls moved back and smiled at her.
"The rockstar is going to love you tonight" they told her and pushed the door open and Pragya walked out.
***
Abhi watched the door open and saw Pragya step out. She was wearing the white dress and her hair bounced on her shoulders in loose curls. Her eyes were outlined and her cheeks coloured, her red lips shone as she smiled awkwardly at him.
Abhi stared at her for a few moment before leading her to the table and making her sit down. He sat opposite her.
"You look stunning" he told her.
Pragya smiled shyly.
"Hayee, meri sharmili" Abhi teased her.
Pragya didn't even have an answer for him that evening. This was the first time she felt pretty, she was smiling truly from soul, not just to show the world.
Both spent the rest of the evening chatting quietly and eating their dinner served by Robin.
Once they were finished Abhi held Pragyas hand and both sat down outisde on the deck of the beach house staring at the dark nights sky.
"Thanks rockstar" Pragya told him.
"For what?" Abhi asked her.
"For making me smile."
"But you always smile." Abhi told her.
"Yeah but today I am smiling truly" Pragya told him.
Abhi held her hand to encourage her to tell him everything. "Pragya don't stop, just say what it is that has been worrying you"
"Nothing was worrying me, it's just that I felt useless and ugly. All these years I was always constantly reminded that I wasn't like Bulbul. My marriage was broken for this reason thrice in the past." Pragya told him.
"What? Why?" Abhi asked surprised.
"Because each time the groom saw Bulbul they rejected me, she was more pretty and wanted. My mum had given up on my chances of marriage long ago until you came with your proposal with Daadi."
"Well, now you know that you are pretty, and in a way it's good you got rejected by them idiots, otherwise how would I have met you?" Abhi told her hugging her to his chest.
He noticed that Pragya was crying slightly.
"Don't Pragya, look at me" Abhi made her look at him. "Look at yourself today, you proved them wrong and yourself wrong, you are pretty not just outside but inside also and that's what is important. Who cares what people think? You know and I know that there is no one prettier than you, you are the only girl to make me smile, your unique which is what I love about you, we are all born different, what's the point in trying to copy others, we should learn to find the best in ourselves. You made me find my happiness then why did you hide yourself from me?" Abhi asked her.
"I didn't, I just felt scared, I don't know" Pragya replied not knowing what to say. She hid her face in his chest.
"I love you" said Abhi.
"I love you too" Pragya replied. "I never thought anyone would ever say that to me"
"Well, you were stupid weren't you, how can anyone not love you? Tum ho hi aisi"
Abhi hugged her and she soon fell asleep. He picked her up and took her to their room. He gently placed her on their bed and then lay next to her. He stared at her for a few moments, he had never thought that a bubbly girl like her could be hiding so much within her. How had she gone so long without sharing her thoughts with anyone? But then Abhi realised that was exactly what he had been doing since he had become a rockstar. He realised that they both had learnt something, something they wouldn't have unless they had met each other, whether that was because of destiny he didn't know? Two very different souls had met and changed each other, changed each other for the better. Abhi hugged Pragya with his hands around her waist and fell asleep, clutching her tightly. She was too precious for him now to let go.
***
The next morning was the end of their holiday and Pragya got ready. Abhi entered the washroom with her. Pragya washed her face and that day she looked at herself with a completely different perspective, Abhi smiled at her and gave her a top and jeans to put on. Pragya got dressed with more effort and even made herself up very slightly. Abhi was glad that she was happy. They both got changed and Abhi began to pack.
He danced from one side of the room to the other throwing stuff in the suitcase with Pragya and twirled her around and around laughing effortlessly.
They both fell on the bed smiling, Abhi hugged her again tightly. It was a holiday that they would both remember for the rest of their life, it had been a turning point not only for them but their relation as well. After all opposites always attract.
Okay guys that was the final part, hope you all enjoyed this story as much as I did writing it! Please comment and like!
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