Abhigya FF: Fool Me Once (pg. 10- Ch 5 Update! 11/2/16) - Page 2

Anya, new update.
Fwow awsome, I am waiting

Chapter 2

When she decided to take action, she didn't think she'd go down this road. Then again, it really shouldn't have been a surprise to anybody that Pragya chose to slowly fade into the background and out of everyone's lives-- that was her foolproof gameplan. To Pragya, the less people know about it, the better. She was never one to have a flair for the dramatic, she was not going to cause a scene when she finally steps aways from Mehra Mansion, and she wanted to do this with minimal effort involving little to no one if she can help it. Sometimes she thinks she's going mad, what the heck is she doing running away from home? She's way too old to go through a rebelious phase! What would Maa think when she found out her outlandish plan? How hurt would Daadi be to see her gone? And will Abhi-

No.

She wasn't going to put Abhi in the equation. Never again. It will only mess up her carefully planned escape and she was not going to let this fail. Her marriage may have failed, her career may be going nowhere, but this plan, this gameplan will see the light of day. She will prevail and triumph against all evil, she will flourish into the goddess--

Okay, maybe she does have a screw loose. All the times she was mistreated and downtrodden during the course of her marriage has finally caught up to her and, well, she didn't exactly come out of it unscathed. Pragya thinks maybe she needs this. Maybe she needs to be a little foolish, a little brash. She's never been reckless all her life and look where it got her. She will walk away from all this with whatever's left of her intact.

==========================

Pragya told Daadi one morning before leaving for work that she's taking on a role in a research collaboration. She explained to Daadi that it was going to be rather demanding with sporadic scheduling and unpredictable work load, so she apologizes in advance for the frequent absences. Daadi looked at Pragya lovingly and caressed her cheek, she then told Pragya that she's proud of her bahu and all the accomplishment she made in her young age. Daadi gave Pragya her blessing and reminded her to take better care of her health. It was hard to keep up her guards before Daadi and Pragya had to look away from Daadi's loving eyes just so she can rebuild the wall surrounding her fragile heart. She had to go over her carefully laid out plan, she needed to hold onto something solid to convince herself that what she's doing is not just for her own good but everyone else's too. She then made a note to herself that she will try her damnedest to spare Daadi any more pain than is necessary. It was the least she could do.

Pragya dove right into her research project. She was single-minded in her determination to accomplish each task, wrestled any obstacles with a drive and resolution that over time her colleagues have come to admire. Pragya would leave the mansion early in the morning and not return home until late at night. Once or twice she's come close to staying over at the lab but thought better of it. She may be an acclaimed researcher at her college but she's a wife and bahu too, she won't desert her responsibilities. The time will come for that.

Adrian, an adjunct professor from Ohio University, was seated at a desk directly on Pragya's right. He was of medium height, had floppy chestnut brown hair that curled into his collar, and had fair complexion with a generous sprinkling of freckles across both cheeks and his sharp nose. His best feature, according to every female in the workplace, is the clear baby-blue eyes that always seem to twinkle and shine with kindness. To everybody else on the research team, Adrian was known for his modest and soft-spoken demeanor. He was laid-back and put everyone around him at ease. He never boasted his broad intellect and articulate manner, he always seem to maintain a gentle nature that belies the obvious intellectual excellence that he possess. Pragya didn't warm up to Adrian instantly, she was too caught up in her effort to shut everything out and focus, focus, focus on her work. She didn't understand why everybody in her workplace wanted to rub shoulders with the new guy. They sat side-by-side for days and not once did they have a proper conversation. It was during one particular lunch break that she found all her previous presumption to be false. The days that followed gave Pragya the opportunity to learn more about her colleague. Adrian was a widower whose wife died eight years ago. He has two children, a daughter and son, living with his in-laws back in the US. Adrian was nice enough to show Pragya pictures of his children and shared a few laughs at the quirks and oddities of raising two young children on his own before leaving for India.

"You can imagine the shock I was in, and the utter helplessness, at the sight of Bella overturning her brother's potty chair! It wasn't empty, mind you, and I swear there was not a trace of guilt on that face of hers. None at all! Gah, nobody deemed it important to warn me how nightmarish toilet training could possibly be."

Pragya burst into a fit of giggles at the unbidden image of a gobsmacked Adrian and his rambunctious, poo-flinging children. She couldn't recall the last time she laughed like this, and the thought easily dampened her spirit and sobered her up. Adrian noticed the slight change and turned solemn eyes at her. Adrian looked at her questioningly and gave her time to arrange her thoughts. She didn't want to share any of her pain and burden, she disillusioned herself that by bottling everything inside her, she will make it less real. But being in Adrian's presence put lots of things into perspective. She's only known him for a few weeks yet something about him urged her to speak the secrets she's been safeguarding. Maybe what they say is true, it's easier to tell your secrets to strangers. She had no idea what compelled her to tell him the truth but it was too late to take everything back. They were sitting at a wooden bench overlooking the courtyard just as the sun was setting down. She told him about her plan, her gameplan, and didn't leave everything out expect the fact that she loves her husband. Adrian patiently listened, patting her shoulder when she struggled to say the next word, neither of them paying mind to the hustle and bustle of students exiting the compound.

"You know, we're not always alone, Pragya. We think we are because our troubles fall on us and not on our friends, but that doesn't mean you have to face them alone. You need only to seek a friend and he'd gladly stand by your side, even if the battle is not his. I guess that's what a true friend is for."

It was impossibly hard not to hug Adrian then and there, especially with the earnest look he was giving her. True, there's still a lot to discover about him but she felt she's covered all the basic and decided that Adrian is a decent person. Pragya felt peace and safety whenever she's with him. He's like an older brother she's never had. She wanted to nurture this friendship, she wanted to be able to start anew. This past year she's been struggling alone, fighting her battles alone. It was rather nice to finally have someone by your side. If Adrian truly holds onto his words, she knew without a doubt that she's made a friend for life. And what a nice thought that was.

==========================

Three nights in a row. He's been returning to a Pragya-less house three nights in a row. What is that Chashmish up to now? Abhi has been preoccupied with the release of his upcoming album and late nights holed up in the recording studio is becoming an increasingly recurring theme. He's not complaining, per se, but if he's honest with himself he could totally do with an early night in every now and then. These days he arrived home so late into the night that Pragya is usually already asleep on the sofa with her glasses askew and fingers haphazardly clutching onto some textbook she's reading. He's got half a mind to pull her glasses away and tuck the blanket firmly around her small body but stopped himself from doing something so silly at the last minute. The last three nights, however, there was no soft snores filling his empty bedroom. He didn't want to read too much into the odd feelings her absence arose in him so he shrugged half-heartedly and got ready for bed.

Abhi could at least admit to himself that he didn't sleep very well. He tossed and turned trying to get into a more comfortable position but to no avail. He was about to get up from his bed when the bedroom door was pushed opened very carefully. Light shone onto the darkened room for a few seconds, then complete darkness blanketed the room. Abhi commanded his body to relax and evened out his breathing. He could hear Pragya tiptoeing across the room then back again. There was a faint rustling noise like fabric brushing together, and the sound of her bangles clinking together. A soft thud echoed through the room followed by the opening and closing of the wardrobe. The integrated light from the wardrobe shone onto Pragya's bare form. From Abhi's vantage point, he could see the slight rise and dips of her body, he could even make out the slopes of her naked breasts. She was facing away from Abhi and he wanted to groan aloud at the sight of her barely-covered bum.

Wait, what? Is she undressing? Right now?

Abhi struggled to remain calm. He's being voyeuristic. He forced his eyes shut and tried to regain his composure.

What is this Chashmish doing? Doesn't she realize there's someone else in this room? That I'm innocently trying to sleep? This will not do. She's tempting me, yes, that's definitely it. And, and it's not my fault my body has mind of its own!

Abhi flopped on his stomach to hide his "predicament". He was being paranoid, in the pitch-dark there was no way Pragya could see the tent in his pants. The noise he caused by flipping over didn't went unnoticed by Pragya. She immediately snapped the wardrobe close, shutting out any remaining light.

"Abhi? Did I wake you?"

Should I just answer? Pretend to sleep? Tell her to sleep? Ask her where she's been, coming home so late?

"Ey, chashmish, you're making to much noise. I need my sleep."

Abhi tried squinting towards the direction of the sofa but could not make out anything. He really was a cad. Pragya was not his real wife yet he's ogling her without her knowledge. He was about to turn on the bedside lamp when he heard Pragya's deep chuckle. He heard her plump her pillows and spread out the blanket. The soft thud of her head finally hitting the makeshift bed followed suit.

"Alright, alright. Good night, Rockstar."

Abhi let his arm fall back and let out a grunt. He realized belatedly that he wanted to know why she's been coming home so late. As much as her undressing caught him off guard and turned him into a randy teenage boy, the fact that she's returned home so late niggled at his conscience. He didn't like the idea of his wife wandering around the city alone during the night. No, he didn't like the idea at all. He sat up abruptly and switched on the bedside lamp.

"Fuggy, hey fuggy, wake up. How did you get home?"

Her back was to him and he could see the outline of her curves. She had a small waist that she diligently hides under those umbrellas she calls anarkali, and rounded hips he could place his hands on--

Hold up. Your brain is messing with you right now, bro.

"Oi, I asked you how did--"

"A friend dropped me off."

Pragya's groggy voice came out more like a croak and Abhi felt a twinge of guilt at keeping her awake when she's clearly very tired. But his ears perked up at the mention of 'friend'.

"What? Who? Don't tell me it's that double battery."

Abhi couldn't help but sneer at the mere thought of that Suresh being near his wife. That guy spells trouble. Real wife or not, Pragya shouldn't hang around someone like him. He won't allow it.

"Huh? Double- oh, no, no it isn't him. Someone else from my research team."

Pragya let out a deep yawn and snuggled further into the sofa. Abhi didn't like the way she easily dismissed him but he felt bad keeping her up when it's 2.30 in the morning. There was more to this and he was going to get answers but for now he will let Chashmish sleep. He's been going without his cinnamon coffee for days straight and it was getting on his nerves. He becomes significantly more irritable without his morning coffee and he blamed it all on his wife. Yesterday, his PA bought a venti dark roast to placate him and Abhi dumped it all in the bin. Why? Because it just didn't taste right. He will let her sleep if only to prepare his coffee for when he wakes up. Abhi turned off the light and laid on his side, facing the sofa.

==========================

Abhi woke up later that day feeling more tired than when he went to bed. His joints ached and he felt like his head is caught up in a fog. He tried sniffing the air for the scent of cinnamon and coffee but detected nothing.

Aww it is short ..I loved it so much and I was enjoying my self reading and it just ended on me too soon ..I never kept it a secret that I love love it when I get the chance to know what Abhi thinking ..his mind is a place I want to move in and just live there I think because in the show they never show us what is he thinking so I always love it when the fics do it that is why I'm sad it was short ..please Update soon

Great update, agree with Nuha, the way you have described Abhis thoughts is very good! <3

This is wonderful!! I want to know what Pragya is up to! I hope this Adrian character will make Abhi seeth with jealousy! Absolutely loved the way this was written! Can't wait for the next part xx

Wonderful updates
This is post u show how a man can think about his wife when she is not nearby,
Hey, if u do pm then pm jr buddy

Originally posted by: sudanindia2014

Aww it is short ..I loved it so much and I was enjoying my self reading and it just ended on me too soon ..I never kept it a secret that I love love it when I get the chance to know what Abhi thinking ..his mind is a place I want to move in and just live there I think because in the show they never show us what is he thinking so I always love it when the fics do it that is why I'm sad it was short ..please Update soon

Originally posted by: simsim25

Great update, agree with Nuha, the way you have described Abhis thoughts is very good! <3

Originally posted by: x-Ri-Ri-x

This is wonderful!! I want to know what Pragya is up to! I hope this Adrian character will make Abhi seeth with jealousy! Absolutely loved the way this was written! Can't wait for the next part xx