Chapter Three
With his arms behind his head, Abhi's eyes were fixed on the ceiling of his hotel room though his thoughts were no where near him. They only consisted of the one person whom had lately been the sole occupant.
Pragya.
When she had left him exactly two months ago, he had been scared at first for her safety. He had insanely looked for her, hoping all the while his worst nightmare had not come true. The anonymous phone call he had recieved regarding pragya's accident before his last concert had unsettled him. He was too traumatized to concentrate on anything else. If anyone asked him what was the scariest moment of his life was, it was that one tiny moment which had shaken the core of his existence. How can someone matter so much to him? Because he had loved her, he thought now rubbing his temple. No, she was just someone who had made her presence known to him in so many ways. His day started with her bickering and ended with her lectures. It was then while he was recalling his wife, a smile played on his lips. That was before, in the later phase of their marriage she had been the reason of his peace of mind, knowing she was looking after his dadi when he was away. She was the reason for his smile. She was the reason he slept peacefully at night knowing she wouldn't leave him alone.
He raked his fingers though his hair. So much for expecting her to be by his side when she ran away from him the first opportunity she got. The only farewell gift he got was the divorce papers that she had signed. While Abhi was looking for her all over the city, his wife was making plans to start a new life in another continent. Soon after, his fears had taken the form of anguish.
Pragya was getting even with him.
He bet she was having the time of her life when she had escaped leaving him high and dry. She left him when he needed her the most. Did she not know it was his fear of losing her that made him vulnerable the night he had turned to her in need and urgency?
He sat up abruptly, tossing the bed spread away. Was she really as indifferent as she acted? He clenched his jaw, that woman was getting on his nerves and he better have the upper hand before it was too late. Yeterday only she had dared to walk away from him, leaving him stranded in the middle of the road without any answer which he had rightfully deserved. He picked up his phone to ring her.
"He doesn't deserve any respect, let alone any answers!" She replied as she paced the lenght of her room.
"Perhaps you could try talking to him and resolve?"
"Resolve? That man paraded his girlfriend in front of me the entire time we were married and you expect me to talk to him?" She glared at the phone as if the stare would get across and reach Ali's side. As much as she liked her one and only friend in the new city, she detested his audacity to even suggest such a thing. Ali Ahmed had the fortune of meeting Pragya when she was standing in the middle of the corridor with a pile of books in both her hands and a question mark on her face, confused among the blocks which were symmetrical. Ali being the smarty pants, tapped pragya on her shoulder and led the way leaving her to follow him with the books.
"No, I'm trying not to judge him which also allows him a fair chance."
"Oh, stop trying to use your psychology on me. I'm not your subject."
Ali took off his reading glasses, pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "What do you want me to do then?"
"Act human and support me."
He laughed, shaking his head. He had known pragya for almost a couple of months now and she still continued to surprise him, sometimes with her caring nature, generosity and wit. Ali had only helped her on the first day of her university and in return she had always helped him in all the course work. "I'm on your side. He is a jerk." He said at last.
By the time, Pragya managed to get out of the bathroom in one piece her cell phone was ringing. "You better not give me another reason to talk to that jerk."
"I'm certain that jerk can wait while I ask you about the test."
She was stunned for a second, she can never forget that voice. Very carefully, she looked at the screen to confirm her doubt. It was an unknown number. "What test?"
"Your behavioral neuroscience." Replied Abhi, rolling his eyes.
"What?"
"Pregnancy test." His tone was calm but only he knew how his mind juggled with possibilities and uncertainties.
"I'm not pregnant." I can't be, she thought. Just now she had the opportunity to start afresh. She knew how hard she had strived to escaped from the thoughts of one person who still haunted her. No, she can not be tethered to a life which may bind them together. Forever. Getting away after a few months was difficult as it is, leaving him after ... She must not dwell into a possibility which would only make things worse for her.
"When was your last periodic cycle?" Abhi made way to the balcony, giving in to a sudden urge to breath in fresh air. He needed something to clear his mind. He closed his eyes when cool breeze caressed his face, waiting for her answer patiently.
Her breathing was ragged and she counted the days in her mind first and then on her finger tips. She held the phone between here right shoulder and ear while she looked frantically for the calendar on her small desk. This can not be it. He was surely playing another one of his tricks. "I am not pregnant." She repeated. "I can not be." She whispered. Not now, she prayed as her eyes brimmed with tears.
"I'm coming over."
P. S You know the drill now :)
Edited by aaminah123 - 10 years ago
Anupamaa
18