Abhigya FF: Fool Me Once (pg. 10- Ch 5 Update! 11/2/16) - Page 4

Loved it!!!! Really enjoying how the story is developing! You portray the characters so well. I really wanted to slap Tanu, and definitely wanted Pragya to have a heated discussion with Abhi, I know you've characterised her with taking the high ground. But part of ke wished you had shut Abhi up, I think you have though with the last line :-)

Please update soon!!! Really looking forward to the next part xx

Loving how the story is going

Chapter 4

"No more snacking on Twix, Daadi, you heard what the doctor said. You'd have to cut back on carbs too so I'd have to get you something to replace the roti and chapati you always have. Let's see, what else.. "

Daadi gave a look of disapproval but Pragya chose to ignore her grandmother-in-law's silent protest and continue listing off the things Daadi would have to cut from her diet as they slowly made their way arm in arm down the hospital's corridor. Daadi's ailing health required her to have routine checkups, sometimes once every fortnight, sometimes every week, and on rare cases which seems to get less rarer these days, twice a week.

"No more soda either, so we're not going to stop at the supermarket for Dr Pepper today."

It was a weekday, which means Pragya was swamped with work and impromptu meetings with her research team but she squeezed in a few hours for Daadi. She's been doing this a whole lot, squeezing in and taking time from her busy schedule, but it worked pretty well for her so there's no reason to dwell too much on the actual fact that she hasn't really seen her husband for almost a week.

Off you go thinking about that man when it brings you nothing but trouble.

From Daadi's casual chatter she picked up on Abhi's whereabouts, he was currently filming a music video in Delhi. She wondered whether a four-minute video would take a whole week to film but refrained from asking. It was better this way, the less she saw him, the more easier it'd be to distance herself away from him. The only hitch in her plan was Daadi. Her health is declining day by day and the doctor refused to do anything drastic. The Mehra family have asked second, third, fourth opinion from the best doctors in the country. Daadi didn't need any major medical treatment, she only needs her days to be stress-free. The way her doctors said it made Pragya realize Daadi will not get any better. From here on out Daadi's condition will only worsen, she's reached an age where waking up everyday is both an achievement and a blessing. The mere though that her Daadi is not going to be around much longer made her heart heavy. It struck her first, then pained her, but she wasn't going to deny the hidden meaning in the doctors' words. Daadi was blessed with old age, she's lived a full and colorful life, and she knew she didn't have much time left. During one of their visit to the hospital, as they were waiting for the doctor to come back with the results, Daadi placed her hand softly on Pragya's head.

"Beti, I've come to a point where I'm not scared anymore of hearing the results. Isn't that funny?"

There was nothing funny about it, thought Pragya glumly. Her Daadi's health was no laughing matter and it tied her stomach to knots just sitting there waiting for the doctor to drop the proverbial bomb. She only shrugged her shoulder noncommittally and fiddled with the closest object in her reach, a crystal medical Caduceus paperweight. She turned it this way and that, tuning out whatever Daadi had to say.

"Beti, are you listening to me?"

"I.. I don't like it when you talk that way, Daadi. As if.. as if.."

Pragya turned her face away, not wanting Daadi to see the tears pooling in her eyes. She could never stand hearing the resignation in Daadi's voice. She didn't want Daadi to give in to the inevitable. She needed Daadi with her, always.

"As if there will come a time when I won't be here with you? My child, I will never leave you so long as I have breath left in me. But we will all return to our Creators, you and I, and it just so happens that I've been around longer than you. Don't you think it makes sense that I will be leaving earlier?"

Pragya refused to look at Daadi. She remained silent and chose to play with the paperweight, turning it around this way and that. When Daadi heard a sniffle coming from Pragya, she softly cradled her face and made Pragya look directly in her eyes.

"Although there's one thing you could do that would definitely make me feel younger."

"What is it, Daadi? Tell me."

"You could give me great-grandbabies. Oh, they would definitely keep me on my toes!"

"Daadi! I- uh- well, you know Abhi and I--"

Pragya's stammering was a delight to see for Daadi. She giggled good-naturedly at Pragya's flustered expression and patted her flushed cheek. She sobered as the mention of Abhi finally sunk in.

"Beti, you have to be patient with that stubborn grandson of mine, do you hear me? He can be difficult and hot-headed, too reckless for his own good, but deep down he's a good man. Promise me you'll always take care of him?"

Pragya averted her eyes from Daadi's solemn ones. What could she say? She was leaving her grandson for good, maybe not now nor tomorrow, but she was not going to stay in this farce of a marriage for the rest of her life.

"Daadi, I--"

The door to the doctor's office suddenly opened and anything Pragya would've said was lost in the bustle of medical charts, lab results, and medication prescriptions. She was glad for the diversion, she hadn't a single idea how to answer Daadi's hopeful request.

Pragya's wandering thoughts were interrupted by a a gentle shake of her shoulder. The elder woman was looking at her, waiting for an answer.

"Sorry Daadi, what were you saying?"

"Arre, what is it you're worrying over, child? You always look like you're a million miles away these days. What is it?"

"N-nothing, Daadi. I was just trying to decide how to get you home. Since the driver is with Aaliya and I couldn't just leave-- oh, hang on."

Pragya unzipped her purse and pulled out the ringing mobile phone. Her brow wrinkled in confusion as she read the caller ID flashing on the screen. She slid her finger across the screen to answer.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Pragsy! When are you comin' back?"

"Oh, uh, still got a few things to do. I'm not sure I can make it for lunch but I can pick something up on the way. You want grilled or fried?"

Pragya heard his deep chuckle, and vaguely, the ambient hustle and bustle of a busy street. She glanced over to where Daadi was sitting idly on a wooden bench by the hospital's fountain, and turned her attention back to Adrian.

"Where are you right now anyway?"

"Just got into my car. I can come down there right now and pick you up, or we can just eat out."

It only took Pragya a few seconds to decide.

"Hey, do you mind if my Daadi come with us?"

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

And so it was with great amusement and a lighter heart that Pragya led both her Daadi and Adrian into the Mehra Mansion to have lunch. During their drive from the hospital, Daadi and Adrian couldn't stop conversing, even with the language barrier, but with Pragya translating and explaining in-between their enthusiastic chatter, the two people she held dear to her heart got to know each other. Adrian took time explaining his reason for being in India, his pursuits and dreams, while Daadi listened to Pragya's apt translation with undivided attention. Adrian proudly spoke about his two children and when Daadi asked to see a picture of them, he gladly took one out from his wallet and passed it over to her, eliciting cooing noises from Daadi. She then crooned playfully that she's hoping her bahu will give her one of these in the near future. Pragya threw an amused look at Adrian and was only met with a laugh.

Daadi is defnitely off her rocker today.

As they stepped into the sprawling mansion, Robin greeted them with a flourish bow and announced that lunch will be served within 15 minutes. Pragya could see that he was excited to meet a foreigner, thus explaining the dramatic welcome, and Daadi refused to leave Adrian's side, needling him on his disinclination to remarry (which Adrian returned good-humoredly, I'm still looking for a beautiful girl like your Pragya'), so it was not too difficult for her to just play along and humor everyone. She can't remember the last time she felt at ease in this house, so better to make the most of the situation than waste time mulling over it.

And when Robin looked at them expectantly to follow him to the dining table, which more resembles a feast than your usual homemade lunch, Pragya couldn't help but chuckle at what is currently transpiring. She imagines this all to be Adrian's doing, he brings brightness wherever he goes.

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

The way Abhi feels lately is like taking a trip down memory lane. The weariness he's feeling reminds him of the days gone by, days he spent dreaming and wishing and opening himself to every different kind of possibilities out there. And yet there was also a fair bit of struggling. He remembered with clarity the times he spent struggling to make ends meet, struggling to pay the debts, struggling to get acknowledged, struggling to find a place in this world. These days he's not struggling to make ends meet nor is his debt piling up, but in some way, somehow, he feels out of place. Like he's not where he's supposed to be. Abhi felt like something is being stripped away from him but he doesn't know what that is, so he can't exactly stop it, can he? So whatever this is, on top of everything else, is weighing down on Abhi ceaselessly.

He's home now. After a whole week of being apart from the people he knows and who knows him best, he can finally have a semblance of familiarity. Abhi smiled at the thought of returning back to the pandemonium that is Mehra Mansion, press conferences and photo shoots become tedious quickly when one's mind is a million miles away. He remembered years ago being considerably more enthusiastic doing promotional activities, but right now he couldn't even pretend he felt sorry for not attending a star-studded event scheduled later that day. Abhi spoke to his publicist with a voice that brook no further argument that he will catch the earliest flight home and pass on whatever party he's supposed to attend.

Racing up the stairs leading to the main entrance of his palatial home, Abhi didn't wait for Robin to usher him in. He strode purposefully across the grand entry and into the living room. When none of his family greeted him there he redirected his path towards the dining area. He intended to announce his presence for all to know by running to them but skidded to a halt at the sight of an unknown person. An unknown person sitting in his seat, making his Daadi laugh heartily, and daring to lay a hand on his wife. Pragya was the first to notice his sudden appearance. She stopped mid-speech and the warm smile slipped off her face. Abhi felt a mixture of dismay and satisfaction all at once.

Wait, what? No. Why do I have to feel bad? She shouldn't be smiling like that to.. to.. whoever that is in the first place! And why is his hand still on fuggy? What does he think she is, an armrest?

Patience wasn't his strongest suit, nor was reasoning, but Abhi just managed to put a lid on his temper. He's going to show the stranger who's boss in this house and he's going to do it with tact. No use getting riled up by a stranger in your own house. He tried to hide the irritation he knew must be marking his features by grinning. Wasn't an easy feat, not even close.

I'm the man of the house and the faster he gets that through his head, the better.

"Daadi! Your pota is finally home but you don't even look like you miss me!"

Abhi crossed over to Daadi's side and enveloped her in a bear hug. When he finally released her, she patted his stubbled cheek affectionately and scolded him for not calling first.

"I thought you'd be arriving tomorrow afternoon, beta, that's what you said before you left. We didn't know you'd be coming home today. Have you eaten? Here, sit down and join us. Tell us about your trip."

Daadi motioned for Pragya to spoon food into the empty plate beside her. She felt Abhi's eyes boring holes into her skull the entire time she served his meal. The black look he gave her when she placed his plate on the black-and-white geometric placemat in front of the empty seat beside her spoke volumes of his displeasure at finding someone taking his place. They tried communicating with their eyes; one pleadingly, the other angrily.

He's sitting in my seat.

Abhi, please just take the empty seat to my left. It's only a seat. Don't make a scene.

He stood glaring down at her for a few more seconds and decided to do something else instead. He walked around the table to Pragya's side and placed his hand on the table, leaning down kiss her cheek. When he felt the warmth and softness of her skin, he planted another kiss on Pragya's temple and aligned his lips closely to her ear, whispering so only she could hear.

"Whoever this guy is, whatever business he has with you, I'm pretty sure you don't need to be holding hands with him while you eat."

Pragya turned shifted slightly in her seat, trying to distance herself from Abhi. He was too close, she could feel the roughness of his stubbled cheek, deliciously rubbing on her softer ones. He smelt like.. like.. Abhi. Day-old aftershave, a tinge of sweat, and something else that is entirely Abhi. Her heart picked up speed at the soft caress of his lips across the curling wisps of hair at her temple. And when she felt his gaze falling above the neck-line of her plum-colored dress, she tried lifting the dupatta to cover her cleavage. Abhi's hand shot out to catch her wrist and she felt herself stiffen. Abhi, on the other hand, was enjoying every second of seeing his fuggy so flustered.

Enjoying her? Pffft, as if. I'm still mad at her for bringing in some random dude and letting him take my place at the head of the table.

This time when he whispered in her ear, he made sure everyone else heard what he had to say.

"Did you miss me? Because I've missed you terribly and I was hoping you could cut all of this short and come up with me --"

"Abhishek! We have a guest, where are your manners? Oh, forgive him, Adrian, he can be so clueless sometimes. Beti, please introduce them. Go on."

With her wrist still in Abhi's stronghold and Adrian's knowing look (accomplishing nothing but riling up Abhi even more) thrown at her, she felt weariness seeping in.

So much for hoping a day without drama.

"Yes.. well, Abhi, this is Adrian, he's a visiting scholar working with us on a research collaboration. Adrian, this is my husband, Abhishek."

"Ah, yes, the husband'. I've heard a lot about you."

Whether Abhishek lost his good manners somewhere amidst his hectic promotional activities or he's just inherently obtuse, Abhi didn't so much as look at Adrian, let alone return the formalities. He only plopped down on the seat beside Pragya, still holding her wrist, and started digging into his meal. Seeing that her husband wasn't going to be releasing his grip anytime soon, she figured she needed to do something to minimize the risk of a very normal, decent meal turning into chaos.

Normal? What is normal? I don't even remember the last time being in the direct vicinity of anything normal since marrying into this family.

Pragya tugged her hand to her lap, but that only served to have Abhi's large hand spread across her thigh. She tried shrugging off the heavy hand staying motionless on her thigh but that only served to get a questioning look from Daadi. Adrian, whose seat was adjacent to Pragya tried to muffle his laughter. He knew what was going on, he finally understood where Pragya was coming from. All this time he felt guilty for not intervening, but he's always believed that you should never meddle into other people's marriage, in fact he's definitely established a strict no-meddling policy, so unless Pragya came up to him and asked for help, just one word and he'd put his foot down. No question about it. But Pragya hadn't asked and since Adrian thought himself a rather good judge of character, Pragya hadn't seem to need his help anyway because she's got everything figure out. Well, almost everything. With the way her husband is looking daggers at him, he's definitely got an idea or two how much (or how little) he's in on Pragya's gameplan.

Oh, this is not going to be pretty.

Abhi's hand eventually left its cosy position on Pragya's thigh, choosing to busy itself bringing food from the plate to its owner's mouth. Pragya couldn't stay mum any longer and spoke up to break the silence.

"So Daadi was wondering if you have any plans on letting Bella and Hunter visit you here."

"Well, I have been thinking of having them spend their spring break here with me but I don't think their grandparents will like the idea of them traveling without supervision. So I'm still not sure. I'd have to persuade them."

Pragya explained his uncertainty to Daadi and was met with a bright smile from the elder woman. She clapped her hands together and exuberantly told Pragya to tell Adrian that the whole family should come over and visit. They can all stay in the Mehra Mansion.

Hearing this, Abhi's head snapped up and he stared at Daadi incredulously. He then shifted his stare at the woman sitting beside him, wordlessly imploring her not to deliver Daadi's message.

Tough luck, rockstar.

"Daadi said you should try talking with your in-laws. Ask them to come along, they've never been to India, yes? Oh, and they could all stay here for as long as they want! So don't worry about accommodation, our home is open to you and your family."

Abhi couldn't believe his ears. He wasn't sure who he was more angry at; Daadi for suggesting the whole idea or Pragya for defying him. He growled out his displeasure, more a statement than question, and was promptly chastised by Daadi.

"Since when did we open our doors to strangers."

"Nonsense! Adrian here is a good friend of Pragya so he's a good friend of ours. He's been working hard for months so I think he deserves some time off. I don't think spending your time off work alone is any fun. None of his family lives here, Abhi, haven't you been listening? His two children are back in the US and I think he misses them greatly."

"But surely you don't think he's got his own expatriate friends he can party with, do you Daadi? Don't treat him like a stray dog we have to--"

"Abhishek!"

Adrian, who understood very little from the grandmother-grandson exchange, didn't have to be told that they were having a row. A row over him. This was not the reason he took up on Daadi's offer for lunch, he was not going to create rifts in Pragya's family. Daadi was a kind woman who reminded him of his own grandmother, and Pragya was a delight to be with, but he was not going to stay where he wasn't wanted, and the man of the house is plainly showing his distaste. So he did what any gentleman would do.

"Well, it was very kind of you to invite me for lunch. I really enjoyed it, the food was absolutely delicious-- the rogan josh.. oh wow, I think I died a little-- but I'm afraid I have to take my leave. There's still a few things I need to sort out back at the office. Thank you very much for today."

Pragya stood up and shared a meaningful look with Adrian that Abhi had trouble construing, it only lasted for a few seconds but managed to incense Abhi for hours to come. Adrian and Daadi exchanged a few stilted words, Daadi gave a ridiculous number of pats, and Pragya acted like the sweet bahu she always is, standing in-between ready to help them any way she can. And when Adrian passed Pragya on his way out, Abhi's jaw stiffened when he saw him squeezing her shoulder.

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

"Hey! What are you doing?"

Abhi lost his appetite after seeing Adrian and Pragya acting so familiar around each other. He didn't know why exactly he felt this way but he didn't want to stay and eat like nothing happened. Something did happen, he doesn't care if it's his fatigued mind unable to keep pace or the irrational side of him choosing to jump into unfounded conclusion, he's going to have a talk with his wife that was long overdue and nobody can stop him. So when Pragya entered their bedroom half an hour later after helping Daadi clear out the table, she wasn't exactly surprised that Abhi would do something so unreasonable to get back at her after today's debacle.

Abhi tugged both her arms behind her back and held them in place with one strong hand. He extended his other hand to lock the bedroom door, stuffing the key in his pocket, and grudgingly let go of Pragya's hands. The petite woman stared up at him furiously.

"You can't just.. just.. manhandle me like that!"

"I do what I can to stop you from running away. I know you'd try to avoid me before we get a chance to talk."

His voice was cold and unyielding. Pragya disliked this side of Abhi; he really was an unpleasant person to be around with when his mood was this foul.

"Are you listening? Or is your wandering mind busy thinking up ways to escape so you could go running into Adrian's waiting arms?"

The way Abhi sneered Adrian's name didn't sit well with Pragya. He was making him out as if they were fooling around behind his back.

What a hypocrite.

"Fine. Talk, go on and tell me what you have to say about me!"

Abhi stared her down, a dark flicker in his eyes. His nostrils flared, Pragya could sense he was concentrating hard on not exploding right then and there. She shuffled a few steps back, out of his reach, but Abhi's longer legs ate up the distance twice as fast. He was even closer now, if that's even possible. She dared a look up at his stony face and was able to see the way his jaws work, like he's trying to hold back some serious verbal lashing. She was not going to be his emotional punching bag tonight.

"Look, I know you're tired--"

"Damn right I am."

"--and I'm pretty sure you don't want to get into an argument right now. So what about--"

"Oh, no you don't. You're not going to get away from me this time, chashmish. I've been meaning to talk to you since before I left for my trip but you always managed to slip away."

He whispered the last two words, his warm breath a caress onto Pragya's already heated skin. She took one more step away from him and was met with the solid molding of her bookshelf. Reaching a hand behind to help her balance, since her knees decided to betray her by turning to jelly, it took a moment to register the inconvenience position she put herself in. Every time she took a breath, the front of her dress touches Abhi's muscled chest.

Shit.

Abhi grinned darkly at Praya's squirming and bent his head until his warm lips came in contact with the shell of her ear. Her breaths came out in small puffs and she had trouble keeping her eyes open. All she wanted to do was drink in the scent, the heat, the mere presence of him, and let all of him engulf her. Her eyelids fluttered shut as Abhi rubbed his cheek against her ear. The rough stubble teased her sensitive skin, giving her shivers. It should've felt like rubbing sandpaper against skin, with how rough his stubble-covered jaw is, but to Pragya all she sensations his caress created made her want to groan.

This is all a dream. It's all a dream and when I wake up I--

"Chasmish."

With a start, she flicked her eyes open and answered tentatively, her voice getting stronger with each word.

"W-what? Have you finished playing around?"

All she got in return was a dark chuckle, his warm breath scorching her skin and stirring the tiny wisps of hair at her temple.

"Feisty chashmish, who'd have thought, eh?"

Pragya thought to herself that his voice shouldn't have this much power over her body. Her mind's made up, her heart is past caring about repercussions, but her body seems to lag a little behind. Either it's too slow to catch up with both her mind or heart but her body is definitely not in sync with the rest of her. And it made her angry.

"You said you wanted to talk, Abhi, so talk!"

Abhi clucked his tongue in mock reproach and leaned even closer, with the way their upper body is practically plastered to each other Pragya didn't even think that was possible, so that her face was buried against his chest. She tried turning her head this way and that, escaping the dangerous heat emanating from the man before her, but when his long fingers threaded through her hair a little too forcefully, her whole body stiffened. He held the back of her head in his palm and tugged so that she had no choice but to look up at him. Pragya noticed his dark, hooded eyes fastening on her, taking her captive under his gaze, before she registered the low murmur against her temple.

"You know, you were never this bold before.. I wonder what made you change, hmm? Well, I haven't decided whether I like it or not."

"I couldn't care less if you like me or not, Abhi, though I think I've got a bit of an inkling. It doesn't matter, none of that matter anymore so cut to the chase and let me go."

His smirk deepened into an even more cockier one and she had the strongest urge to wipe it off his face with her bare hands.

"Aren't we touchy today. Perhaps me disturbing the cosy scene earlier today have something to do with your mood? Did I ruin your lunch, Pragya?"

"Just let me go, Abhi, if you have nothing important to say."

"I'll let you go when I'm done and not a second before!"

"Then spit it out!"

"How dare you--"

"Yes, I dare. I dare because I'm tired of you! I'm tired of your--"

"--talk to me that way! What happened to you? Why are you acting this way?"

Their eyes clashed as they became lost in the raw antagonism of each other's gaze. The look in his eyes had Pragya gulping, the fire in her eyes had Abhi's heart racing. Pragya's breath snagged in her throat when Abhi's hand shot out to encircle her upper arm. He gave her a firm squeeze, not enough to hurt but enough to still her squirming body, and she gave an involuntary gasp when his other hand brushed against her cheek. She dazedly watch the movement of the sinewy muscle corded in his arm and managed to stutter her indignation.

"W-why are you acting this way?"

"Because something is going on and it's driving me crazy trying to figure it out."

"And that's got anything to do with me how exactly?"

"See? You wouldn't have answered back like that. And you wouldn't have avoided me whenever I try approaching you. Do you know how.. how.. troublesome that is? I need to speak to you about Daadi and her treatment but you're always avoiding me! Just this morning I tried calling you on your mobile, I wanted to remind you about Daadi's routine check-up and you didn't even pick up my calls! Oh, you're so predictable, chashmish. What next? Will you be moving out of my bedroom to sleep in the guest room? Is that it?"

Pragya wanted to laugh, she really did, but she wasn't that foolish. She was well acquainted with Abhi's temper and his penchant for rampant speculation, so she decided it was best to let him vent out without adding more fuel to the fire. When Pragya only stared back at him, seemingly unaffected by his words, Abhi felt anger rising up in him again. He strengthened his hold on her and leaned forward.

"Don't think for one second that I don't know what you're doing. You're up to something and I will get to the bottom--"

"So you think I should just move to the guest room?"

"--of this. What?"

"You were the one who brought it up, that I'd want to move out of here and sleep in the guest room. Come to think of it, it is closer to Daadi's room--"

"No."

"--and it would be easier to reach her if something happens.."

"No. You won't be moving anywhere."

Him and his high-handedness. How could I be so stupid for falling in love with this man-child.

"So don't ask that again because the answer will still be the same, do you hear me? And you can keep doing whatever it is you're doing because when I say I'll get down to the bottom of this, I will."

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Alright, I've probably just butchered this story's pacing *runs away*

Loved the update and no complaints about pacing 😃

Read all the updates it is lovely plz continue soon

awesome! adrian and daadi bonding was nice... abhi wants to get to the bottom of pragya's behavior - jasosi abhi coming up! loved abhi being worked up on andrian durin lunch...

I love Adrian and Daadi's bonding! Loved Abhigya scene and nice to see Abhi trying to get to the bottom of things! <3

Nice update ..as usual never had enough of Jealous but totally clueless Abhi just dealing with something eating him from inside without even know what is it ..love to see him getting to the bottom of it

hope you will update soon

Read it in one go... so he will to the bottom of it huh?? That means we are gonna see a detective Abhi.

Originally posted by: -mina-

Loved the update and no complaints about pacing 😃

Riled up Abhi is terrifying...in a magnificent way. Happy to see Pragya holding her own. And Daadi-Adrian bonding was awesome!!

Thanks for the new part, looking forward to the next!!