Dear all, firstly I would like to thank you all for joining me in this incredibly long journey of my longest FF. Had you not supported me with every chapter that I wrote, I would have wrapped this story up much earlier. None the less I have my character the space to grow and breathe - on some places I felt I could make the scenes more emotional but the challenge was to remember that these are all college kids and we cannot impart adult like EQ in them - but on and off having finished this journey I feel such a big part of me is put out there for you too read! Okay enough of emotional rambling :p
I hope you enjoy the last part as much as you enjoyed the rest! Oh and there is a short epilogue too! And Tanu and Suresh aren't really a part of this update. I felt the story needed a positive ending and everyone was better off without them !!
Guys I will still look forward to reading your lovely feedbacks!! Please let me know how you feel about Cross Connections!
Happy Reading!
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Chapter 25
"Purab this is futile, we need to head back and tell mom that di has run away, Nikhil jiju will be arriving soon - then they will find out anyway"said Bulbul panting hard. Abhi gritted his teeth, "Oyi cartoon he is not Nikhil jiju okay! Creepy idiot stealing my chashmish!!" Purab sighed, "Can you guys cut it out? This is serious - we have to go home and tell auntiji that Pragya has run away"
When they reached the house, they saw the hustle for preparations for the evening ceremony was on in full swing - everyone was running around trying to make the ceremony a success - Bulbul stood numb for a second, but she knew she had to eventually tell her mother, so she buckled up the courage and ran to Sarla.
"Ma I need to tell you something"
"Yeah, toh say what you have to" said Sarla unconcerned going about her chore.
Bulbul took a deep breath, "Ma di has run away" she simply told her. Sarla stopped her chore and turned to look at her.
"Acha? Where has is gone?"she asked narrowing her eyes at her younger daughter wrongly timed mischief.
"How will I know ma? She has done a bunk, Gone, poof, woosh" she told her dramatically, "We went to look for her, me, Poo, Purab and A"Neil - but she is nowhwere outside" she finished breathlessly.
"Bulbul had I not been so busy I surely would have boxed your ears for this mischief, uff go now, I don't have time for this non-sense, go and serve your friends some refreshments at least - see some more have also arrived" she dismissed her.
"But ma, you're not understanding, I am damn serious" Bulbul begun, but Sarla lost her patience, "Offo Bulbul, if Pragya has run-away who is sitting in her bedroom applying mehendi?"she asked irritated and motioned her to look towards Pragya's room where the door stood ajar. Bulbul glanced and was shocked to see Pragya sitting there and politely taking to their women around her. She breathed heavily in annoyance and marched to her room, with a surprised Abhi, Purab abd Purvi following. She walked into her room and darkly asked the women to excuse them - once they filed out, Bulbul asked Purab and all to come in - Pragya was surprised to say the least when she saw Abhi walk in with Purab and Purvi.
"Yo"you" she stammered. And at the same time someone called out aloud in shock from the entrance of her door, "bhai???" Abhi tore his glance from Pragya and his jaw dropped to see Aaliya and Neil at the door.
"Bhai what are you doing here? I thought you didn't know about her whereabouts?" she charged at him.
"I..err..I didn't until Purab told me" Abhi glanced at Pragya. She was still staring at him unaware that she was doing so, with shock clearly written on her face.
But before Aaliya could question further, Bulbul charged at her di, "Di how dare you come back after running away? I thought you will be at least responsible enough to continue bunking once you ran away? What did you think? We wouldn't be able to handle this? It's just roka di!! Why did you return??"she chided her. Pragya looked startled, run-away? When did she runaway? "Bulbul I.."she had begun, but Bulbul didn't let her complete.
"Now that you've come back we gotta do this the more complicated way - come tell ma you don't want to do this roka"she said and tugged at her hand.
"Bulbul why won't I want to do this roka?" she asked her in surprise and nervously glanced at Abhi - why was he so agitated anyway and again, what was he doing here she wondered.
"Offo di, of course you won't because -----"but this time Abhi spoke.
"Oyi cartoon, at least let me tell her the because bit nah"?" he told her exasperated, and turned to Pragya, she was looking at him with the most confused and adorable face - he smiled and turned to the rest - "Guys, please some privacy please?"
All laughed leaving Pragya further confused and filed out to the balcony and waited, Bulbul chirped before leaving, "Oyi hero don't take too long, we still have a roka to stop"
"Roka to stop?" asked Pragya alarmed, "Why will the roka stop?" she wondered aloud looking at Abhi. "What are you doing here? I thought I was this heartless woman who was after her own siblings happiness?" she spat bitterly - rationality was abandoning her the more he walked closer to her - his eyes were fixed on her - "Why indeed will you stop the roka?" he mocked at her softly, she began to breathe erratically as he approached her, further closing the gap between them.
"Listen.. "she began, but Abhi shushed her.
"I will tell you why - you will stop the roka cause you are doing it with the wrong person - because you are not allowed to leave me - because Tanu was never the one - because I wont ever submit another assignment which isn't done by you - because I wouldn't ever sing another song if the inspiration is not you - because if I ever see another man beside you, I will beat him worse than the way I had attacked Purab that night - because you are the rock I want to hold on to for life - because I know with you by me I will never fall - because..." but he couldn't finish, Pragya was breathlessly listening to him all this while with tears in her eye, spoke on his behalf.
""Because you love me so much?" she asked gently, as a tear dropped from her eyes.
Abhi gently cupped her face and whisked the tear away, he didn't realize he had tears too, not until Pragya rubbed them away from his cheeks.
"Yes chashmish, because I love you - because I always loved you - because you're the one - is this reason enough?" he asked quietly, and Pragya just nodded and broke down into further sobs and hugged him tight burying his head deep into his hard chest.
Abhi just hugged her tightly and rested his chin on her head, finally after ages his aching heart seemed to have found peace, as he mumbled into her hair, "My Chashmish - Pragya Abhishek Mehra".
She looked up at him in shock when she heard what he mumbled, and in a swift moment, before thinking much, Abhi bent down and lightly brushed his lips on hers, she gasped at first and then to her surprise, she tiptoes to reach his lips - as their lips met, it was like ice on fire, as their lips touched each other's gently at first but soon after their tongues were mating with each other furiously - when they gasped for breath, they heard a knock on the balcony door.
"Umm Abhi - Pragya is it enough for now? We have to actually stop a roka now" they heard Purab's voice amidst a lot of giggles. Pragya turned deep red and moved away from Abhi, but Abhi didn't let her go far, as he firmly clutched her petit waist, internally marvelling at her amazingly soft skin and the perfect way her waist fit his palm.
"Oho hero, leave my di's waist"said Bulbul in mocking seriousness when she entered.
"Oyi cartoon, my girl - my wish" Abhi pouted.
They all laughed. "They look perfect with each other don't they?"Aaliya whispered from behind, she always wanted to see Prags and her brother together - she was the first to get the whiff.
"Yes they do. They are made for each other" whispered back Neil from beside her.
"So do you two - you holding her shoulder and supporting her while she enjoys a tender moment in life" came a voice from behind - Aaliya and Neil turned back to look at Purvi eyeing them - her voice was cold. Neil realized he was holding Aaliya close, and let go of her quickly - Aaliya too was visibly irked and moved a few paces away from them.
"Uff di, now you see, your running away would have been so much more convenient?" pouted Bulbul and everyone laughed except Pragya.
"This is unbelievable man!" and then she turned to Abhi and scolded him, "If you had to propose, couldn't you hurry up?? At least reach by early morning today? I hadn't run away in the morning!! I had gone to stop my groom from running away - I sat with him and convinced him to not run away and carry on with the roka! How will re-convince him to run-away now??"
They all were in deep thought, they were trying to think whether to tell Nikhil the truth directly or to tell Sarla first. But as they were at it, someone shouted from outside that Nikhil and his family had arrived - all were nervous, was it too late? Abhi grabbed Pragya's hand possessively; he wasn't going to let her go, not when they finally found each other.
Abhi motioned Bulbul, Purvi and Aaliya to go out and join the scene there - it would look awkward otherwise - then he roughly turned Purab and said, "I told you I will give you a chance to return the punch right? Now's your turn - punch me hard" he instructed.
Purab was taken aback, "Abhi" he began, but he didn't pay heed, he insisted that Purab punched him - without thinking further, Abhi motioned for him to repeat and he did, soon people from the living room heard noises of fist fighting and ran inside to find a bloody nosed and blue jawed Abhi being beaten by Purab - Neil had also joined by then trying to pull the two apart - but in vain.
When Sarla arrived, Abhi began to scream, "I love her and I won't let her go"
Purab took queue and spoke, "So what you do? So what she does too? So what you realised late, she is going to belong to someone else now"
Sarla was taken by surprise, why was Neil screaming, obviously Purvi was his, what was the issue? She went to him and all boys stopped fighting, "Betaji what's the issue, you love him, you will get her. Let her complete college atleast?" she said calmly.
"College?" replied Abhi incredulously.
"Yes betaji, education is important, once Purvi finishes..."but seeing the confusion in everyones face, Pragya decided to speak up. "Ma, I am sorry for all this, but I can't do this - I love Abhi" Sarla tore her eyes from Abhi and looked at Pragya, her face was as thunderous as a cloud - she walked to her and spoke through gritted teeth, "Are you out of your mind betaji? Today is your roka! I shouldn't have allowed Abhi inside the house at all!" saying so she promptly turned to Neil and whisked him outside the room to their balcony - a startled Purvi followed and Aaliya looked at Abhi for explanation.
Sarla asked Purvi to see "Abhi" off at the gate and walked back inside - she turned to Abhi and Purab and said, "Neil and Purab - whatever differences you have regarding Purvi, can be sorted after the roka - for the time being please behave"then she turned to Pragya, "I have seen how severely that Abhi had hurt you - I am not going to let you take this decision on impulse - Nikhil's family has arrived - please behave and come out when called" with that she was about to leave when Bulbul stopped her, "Mom I need to clarify something - this is Abhi" Sarla turned around surprised to see her pointing at Neil. "The guy you sent off, was Neil" she whispered guiltily" As Sarla turned to stare at them, Purab, bulbul, Pragya and Abhi begun to explain - whereas Aaliya walked out of the balcony to stop Neil.
***
"Baby I don't think we are going to work out" Purvi said as they approached the main gate. As much as Neil hated hearing the regret in her voice, he knew she was right - she had become a great friend of his, he liked pampering her, but Aaliya was predominant in his mind - whether as Aaliya or as Ali - it was always that one person - he looked at her regrettably and saw a few tears form in her eye.
"Purvi I am sorry - I don't know what I want in life - I miss Ali - I like Aaliya - but if Aaliya is real, then who was Ali? If Ali is real then why is Aaliya here?" after months Neil felt better confessing this to someone aloud. Purvi looked at him sceptically, "Neil, whether it is Ali or Aaliya, one thing is for sure it is not me - so I think it is good that we are parting ways - now take your time and decide who wins between Ali and Aaliya inside you - Trust me Neil she loves you - if Ali can become Aaliya for you - Aaliya too can become Ali for you - you need to know who you need more" with that she patted his shoulder and turned to leave.
"Indeed Neil, who do you want more?" came a voice, Neil turned around in a flash to see Aaliya standing there - she was looking at him in despair. Neil shook his head, "I don't know. I miss Ali - I want you too - I like you, but I am not sure - I want to see Ali" he said desperately. Aaliya looked at him calmly and replied with a small smile, "I am not sure you can see him again, but he can call you. I will ask him to" Neil's head shot up in shock. Aaliya smiled, "You know, growing your hair long is a tedious job, not sure I want to crop it - what will happen then when you miss Aaliya?" she laughed. Neil relaxed - he felt at ease - he realized he found her company soothing. But Aaliya's face turned sombre again, "Neil this isn't easy for me either - and I know it's very difficult for you - having lived the guy life with me, suddenly accepting me as Aaliya is as difficult for you as is with me -don't hurry Neil, lets give this time - give yourself time to accept Aaliya - till then Aaliya will fulfil Ali's place n your life - and if you miss him too much, you can always call him!" she smiled - Neil felt relieved, he hugged Aaliya and realized, in their case, only time could mend things. For now they were happy.
***
While returning back to the living room, Purvi rubbed off the tear from her eyes, Nikhil had followed her right from the time she had initiated her breakup with that fair guy who loved some Ali/Aaliya he wasn't sure. "Purvi" he called out just before she entered the living room, turned back surprised to see Nikhil standing there - he motioned her to follow him outside, so she did.
***
When everyone explained the situation to Sarla, she sat there shocked, if this was Abhi - she somehow couldn't hold her grudge against such a lovable childish boy - he was bound to make this mistake of not realizing - he looked only so childish - and her Pragya seemed so much more happier around him - was she really making her compromise otherwise? No how could she do that to her daughter? But Nikhil? He was such a nice boy - how could she break his heart - today was there roka - she sat there helplessly wondering when there was a knock on the door - Bulbul opened the door shakily and saw Nikhil enter with Purvi - at the same time Aaliya and Neil entered from the balcony door - Pragya glanced at both the girls and a smile spread across her lips as all sat in confusion - first she ran to Aalu and hugged her, "Congratulations!!!!" she whispered in her ear and she laughed replying, "Not as yet. But soon" - then she ran to Nikhil and hugged him, much to Abhi's annoyance and asked in shock, "Nikhil, how did you manage???", he whispered, "She had broken up, and I was under pressure anyway - just needed the guts - turned out she had a crush on me ever since, same story she never could tell me - we aren't going out. YET, but we want to give it a try. Pragya I am sorry!!" Everyone sighed in relief - seemed like the roka was to be mutually called off - but Pragya turned to Purvi and pulled her to the balcony - she had had enough share of Bulbul's sacrifice in the past, she wanted to ensure things before taking a call now.
"Purvi when did this happen? Did you agree to date him when he asked you out - such that he cancels the roka and Abhi and I can be together? Baby we are family friends, when this ends wrongly, it will be bad - as it is because of Suresh and Bulbul, we have lost some friends" she asked reverently.
"Di relax - although if this wasn't true, I would have still done this, but the good news is, it isnt true, I really did have a crush on him - but I never thought he too did - this time when I heard about your enagagment to him - although I wasn't heartbroken since I was over him long since, but it did bother me a bit - now when I realized Neil isnt the one and this guy is so serious about me and is still not over me, I genuinely want to give it a chance" she smiled.
Pragya smiled satisfied, and took her to the room.
"Nikhil, let's go outside, we got a roka to cancel now" as all of them laughed, Sarla just felt relieved, all seemed well now - finally.
As Nikhil and Pragya announced that there will be no roka, and they were better off as friends, all guests filed out - Sarla took to explaining the elders of both family while the children decided to go out for dinner as a group - for once as a group without cross-connections, anguish and secrets - as one group of multiple dates: Abhi-Pragya, Purab-Bulbul, Aaliya-Neil and Purvi-Nikhil. And for once the dinner didn't end abruptly!
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
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