Posted:
Hey guys!! This is a FF which is the continuation of my OS (Compromise). I have no idea where this story is headed, but I promise you that it will be enjoyable.
For those of you who haven't had a chance to read my OS, just click this | OS : Compromise |
Do read it and continue with this FF.
Please comment if you like it.
Take care!
~Abi~
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Chapter 1
Last night went well and I still couldn't believe it. Everything was settled. Bhaiya promised Daadi and me that he would go and meet Purab today regarding his girl and subsequent marriage proposal. But, being Mehras, Daadi and I forced Bhai to promise not to lay a finger on Purab. As expected, he succumbed to our demand without a hitch.
Meanwhile, I had planned to go on a quick shopping spree and be back home before dinner. Daadi had warned Bhai and myself to come home early today. She was expecting a visitor, or should I say, her cousin or sister, I don't know, from Ludhiana. Daadi wanted her darling grandchildren at home to welcome her. Basically, it was to brag that she had raised such obedient and loving children.
Loving? Yes absolutely. But obedient? Maybe. Bhai and I had a tendency to go against Daadi whenever we could, unless of course, she pulled out her big guns. That is, of course, her emotional phrases, to be more precise blackmail. We loved her to bits and she knew it, using it to her advantage whenever she needed to tow us back in line. But she was everything, all we had.
Then again, my plans were going bust as I was stuck in this traffic. Well, bad things don't last long. The traffic cleared, finally! I parked in the basement car park and headed up to the boutique. Looking and trying on different clothes, I had finally picked one, well to be honest, a few that I liked. After swiping my credit card, my birthday gift from Bhai some years ago, I stepped out of the boutique, wondering where to go next.
The bookshop! Well, I didn't particularly read books, but my good friend Adhitya loved them. Adhitya, a friend I met during my studies in Australia. We were introduced through mutual friends and hit it off. He was a cool dude, caring and crazy at times, but understanding. I thought of getting him a book since his birthday was around the corner. A Mumbai boy, but I didn't know when he would be returning. He wanted to stay on to travel around Australia, an offer I politely refused. I had been away from home for too long.
As I entered the bookshop, I was lost. So, I decided to start from the back and work my way up. Literary fiction, general fiction, fantasy, romance and the list was endless. Alright, never mind. I'll just start with fiction. Browsing through the books and reading the synopsis, I was getting nowhere. My head was spinning and I could swear that I was seeing stars and fairies swirling around my head. I found a seating area and sat myself down, looking into space.
"Excuse me, are you alright?", someone asked.
"Yes, I am fine. Just tired.", I replied looking at the woman who was siting next to me.
"Would you like some water?", she asked in a really sweet voice.
"If you don't mind, yes please.", I said slightly turning red.
She handed me a green bottle and I gulped down the ice cool water.
"Thank you.", I told her.
"No worries. I take it that you are new to the bookshop?", she asked me.
"Yes, actually my first time in this particular one. Are you a regular?", I replied thinking how concerned she was about me.
"Yes, I love books and I come here often, it's my haven. By the way, what's your name?", she asked me with a spark in her eyes.
"Oh I am sorry for not introducing myself. My name is Aaliya. Aaliya Mehra. And you are?", I asked stretching my hand out for a shake.
"Pragya. Pragya Aurora.", she said taking my hand and gently shaking it.
"Nice to meet you.", I replied her shaking in return.
"Same here!", she said cheerfully.
"So, if you don't mind me asking. You seemed lost going through a bundle of books over there. Do you need any help?", she asked me clearly blowing my cover.
"You noticed? Very obvious na? Actually, I am not into books. But I came here to get a book for my friend's birthday. He loves them like you.", I replied her and I could feel my ears turning red.
"That's okay. Everyone has their first times. You know what, I could help you choose a book for him. How does that sound?", she asked me and her eyes lit up behind those glasses.
"You would? That would be so much helpful!!", I replied like a five year old who was given ice cream.
"Of course I would! But before that, tell me what your friend likes. As in, what type of books does he prefer reading?", she asked me cheerfully.
"Umm, he likes those fiction ones. Like thrillers and crimes.", I replied her after joggling my mind.
"That's no problem at all. I know lots of good ones. Shall we go?", she asked while holding out her hand.
"Sure!", I said touched by her kind gesture and grabbed onto her hand as she pulled up.
After about 20 to 30 minutes, we found a book that we both liked, and hoped that Adhitya would love it as well. As I took the book to the cashier, she followed me behind with a few books in her hand. She smiled at me and I felt happy in her presence. She radiated a very homely and calm feeling which just envelopes you.
"So, thank you so much for helping me.", I told her after we paid our bills.
"No problem Aaliya. It was my pleasure.", she replied me.
"That's very kind of you. Maybe we should get a cup of coffee sometime?", I asked her hesitantly.
"Sure Aaliya, but not today, I have to head home and prepare some lectures.", she said.
"Lectures?", I asked in confusion.
"Haan Aaliya, I am a Professor. I teach English Literature and History.", she said raising her eyebrows.
"Wow. That's totally out of my league. I am more into accounts and business.", I told her with a broad smile.
"You are a student?", she asked.
"No, I just graduated. Freshman. No plans on working yet, just want to spend time with my family for the time being.", I replied her thinking about Daadi and Bhai.
"That's nice. Family is everything na. Anyways, I must head off now. I'll take you up on that coffee, so I suggest we should exchange numbers.", she said surprising me.
We exchanged numbers as she suggested, much to my delight. I didn't know why, but I was excited to know more about her.
"Okay Aaliya. So, I'll see you soon.", she said keeping her mobile in her bag.
"Yeah, but can I ask you a question?", I asked.
"Sure.", she replied.
"How do I address you? I don't mean to be rude, but you look elder to me and I am not comfortable calling you by your name.", I told her honestly.
"Yes, I actually noticed that.", she told, blowing my cover yet again.
"If you don't mind, can I call you Di? Pragya Di?", I asked without giving her a chance to speak.
"I wouldn't mind at all Aaliya. That's perfect.", she replied me with a soft expression.
We bid our goodbyes and went our separate ways. I had to dash home before Daadi twisted my ears!!
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Meanwhile on the other side of Mumbai
"Bhai, I am so sorry!! Please forgive me for not telling you earlier!", Purab wailed while holding onto my feet.
"Purab!! Stop being a child! Let go of my feet yaar!!", I yelled at him while trying to steady myself.
"No!! I won't till you tell me you have forgiven me!!", he wailed again tightening his hands around my ankles.
"Arre Purab!! Tum pagal hai?? If I didn't forgive you, why would I come to see you!!", I asked him in frustration.
"Well, probably to beat the hell out of me!! For hurting Aaliya and betraying your trust!!", he said and I could hear his sobs.
"Oh god! Purab!! Aaliya has told me everything yaar!! I am not mad at you!! Can you register that into that thick skull of yours?!!", I shouted while looking down at him.
"She told you everything? She has already told you?", he asked looking up at me like a lost puppy.
"Earth to Purab!! How would I know about it if she didn't tell me?", I glared at him.
"So you know everything?", he asked making me mad.
"Haan mera chote bhai!! I know!! Now, for heaven's sake, can you please let go of my feet?!!", I shrieked at him.
He released his grip and I fell backwards on the bed. Siting up, I glared at him while rubbing my ankles. He inched closer and sat in front of me like a beggar on his knees, confusion written all over his face.
"Bhai, mera matlab Abhi, woh...", he stammered.
"Kya? What happened to Bhai? Why did it suddenly change into Abhi?", I stared at him.
"I didn't know if I still had that right over you.", he replied in a small voice.
"You know Purab, I promised Daadi aur Aaliya that I wouldn't lay a finger on you. But, right now, I feel like punching you in the face!", I growled at him.
"Abhi, I mean Bhai, Abhi...", he stammered even more this time.
"Purab! Confused even more? How can you think that yaar?", I said hitting the bed in anger.
"Bhai, I didn't mean to. I just thought that you would hate me and I didn't want to hurt you.", he trailed on.
"You are hurting me now Purab. By calling me Abhi, you are hurting me. And that too, very deeply here.", I said while pointing to my heart.
"No Bhai!! Please don't say that! I am sorry!!", he pleaded while taking my hand.
"Nahi Purab, I am the one who should apologize. True, I was blindly mad at you when Aaliya told me that you had fallen in love with someone else. I wanted to whack the day lights out of you.", I said looking at his worried face.
"But, Aaliya being Aaliya, knocked some sense into me and I realized that I had been very dominating over you. And my anger especially, is what prevented you from opening up to me.", I continued.
"That's not how an elder brother should be. I have failed in that aspect.", I finished.
Purab immediately hugged me and started sobbing on my shoulder. I was taken by surprise, but I embraced him and comforted him by patting his head.
"No Bhai, please don't say that. You have been and always will be an exceptional elder brother. I felt guilty because I promised you. That's why I couldn't face you and tell you the truth. But Aaliya, she managed to tease the truth out and she told me to stay out of it when she spoke to you.", he sobbed.
"I am sorry Bhai. It just happened. It's not that I planned it.", he continued.
"Purab, listen to me. You, Aaliya aur Daadi are my family. You guys mean the world to me, and if anything happens to either one of you, I am finished. That's the end for me. Stop crying yaar. I can't see you like this.", I said releasing him.
"I understand okay? Aaliya suddenly became so philosophical yesterday when she was telling me this and she even sounded like love guru! But the point is, I am not mad at you. I am your Bhai and I am happy for you. Even Daadi is happy for you. She overheard our conversation yesterday and she is totally cool with it.", I said cheerfully.
"You know what? She asked me to bring you home yesterday itself, but I wanted to talk to you alone. Budhiya is like a bullet train! She is already making plans for your marriage proposal!", I told him.
"Daadi? Marriage proposal?", he asked gapping in horror.
"Haan Purab! So, would you please do me a favor and tell me who your girl is?", I asked him in desperation.
Just then, we heard a loud thud. We looked towards the door that was left ajar. A girl, around the same age as Aaliya or maybe older was watching us in complete shock.
"Bulbul?", Purab asked as he stood up.
"Rockstar Abhi?? The Rockstar Abhi??", she shrieked in a high pitched voice which radiated in my eardrums.
"Purab, who is this?", I asked rubbing my ears.
"Bhai, this is Bulbul, the girl I have fallen in love with.", Purab said pointing at her who still had her mouth wide open.
"Aur Bulbul, this is my Bhai, Abhishek Prem Mehra.", he said with a subtle layer of pride.
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