Chapter 4
"I told you so so so many times Abhi, stop being careless, if we come out in the open now, things will get very ugly!! Why couldn't you be careful??" Pragya almost screamed in a hushed whisper (if that is even possible) from under her blanket at night. She peeped once at Bulbul and saw that she wasn't perturbed and was blissfully sleeping.
"Aree fuggy, it was all under control! I was just about to jump off your terrace to the fence; I was well hidden from anyone walking inside from the door. That's when your daadi came to the terrace with her cough syrup, but she had left the glass behind, so she went down to fetch it - and I er..couldnt resist the cough syrup!! I just flashed back and took a healthy gulp before leaving - I tell you in no way could daadi have returned so fast! She just has a hunch. Trust me fuggy, how can I be reckless when it concerns you?" asked Abhi earnestly on the phone.
"Suniye that's not even the point, the thing is daadi is smart, when she reached the terrace and saw her drink is gone, she realized you were there, in her defence she said, her cough syrup is so strong that if any random man would have taken a swig, he would be lying flat in the terrace only. Only she and her rockstar ex-pota can hold her cough syrup" finished Pragya with a huff.
Abhi felt sad at being scolded by his fuggy, when would she understand, it wasn't his fault that his careful demeanour was fading, it was really her fault! When he isn't with her, he is always so lost in her memories that sensibilities escape him! He breathed out hard on the phone and replied.
"That's it fuggy, let's go tell them. I can't stay without you any longer"
"Abhishek Prem Mehra, have you lost it? The moment we say something like this, my mom will pull a fit and that will affect her health - she did just that last time, that was when I was compelled to marry you. Now she will blackmail me to stay away from you. We've got to be patient baby" replied Pragya softly understanding Abhi's desperate state.
***
Purab was smirking to himself, "acha, so this was the mystery" he thought. Finally he knew what Abhi was up to. He quickly sent a text message to his minions.
[Comrades take chachu out of his room for a bit]
Surely in five minutes Bunty and Babli came running to Abhi and literally pulled him out of his room to show him their new pet - a hamster named Sheroo. Who names a hamster Sheroo anyway thought Abhi as he followed the kids reluctantly.
Once Abhi left, Purab swiftly came out from under his bed, hiding where he heard Abhi and Pragya's conversation. He smiled in satisfaction - now that he knew what's going on, he realized wasn't it obvious? How silly of him to not be able to guess. He decided to not tell anyone anything about it just yet - if the two were keeping it a secret, there must be a valid reason!
***
"Abhi...I wish you wouldn't be so rash and make any mistakes..." Pragya muttered to herself, while in bed, after hanging up her call with Abhi.
"Di...maybe you should explain the situation to jiju in a more romantic way then - maybe another terrace affair? I can arrange and keep daadi away too you know?" Pragya heard Bulbul whisper from the other bed, and sat up in shock. The cat was out of the bag indeed.
"Bulbul..wohh..it's..the..." she scurried for words.
"Offo di, you think after and your constant mobile recharge requirement and excellent appetite of aloo parathas and of course the mysterious thief in the locality who stole nothing and especially after daadi's cough syrup disappearances I would have a doubt? I was only pretending to sleep tonight!" she finished gleefully to an astounded Pragya, but before she could respond Bulbul came and to her surprise hugged her tight, she was happy?
"Di, I am so glad you both didn't let Tanu's final scheming win - I am so happy that you both still are together - you are meant to be di! I will help you. I promise - And yes it's a good idea you're hiding. Let it be this way - tell jiju I will help him find time with you! Oh and in return he has to dedicate his next launch to me - In honour of Bulbul Arora!"she finished with an infectious smile. Pragya could help laughing.
***
Much later in the night, Pragya dropped Abhi a text message.
[Suniye All India Radio knows about us now! :/ ]
Much much later after a lot of debate, Purab dropped a text message to Bulbul
[Meet me tomorrow, I need some help]
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