Hey guys! This is the first chapter. It's something different. Hope you like it. Let me know of what you think!!😃
__________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 1I could hear the loud thunderstorm bellowing outside as I laid in my bed. Looking at my phone, I realized that it was 2pm. My head throbbed and I felt sick. I must have had too much to drink, I muttered to myself. Getting off the bed, I walked towards the window and opened the curtains. It was pouring rain, drenching the roads of New Delhi.
Dark and gloomy without a ray of sunshine, or hope, just like my life. The famous Rockstar Abhi no longer ruled the music world. I had lost pretty much everything, especially her, Pragya. Bitter memories flooded back into my mind from three years ago. The revenge, the verbal abuse, the infidelity fiasco, the kidnap, the pregnancy drama and the betrayal.
My journey with her was short, but it was never without problems. Somewhere along the way, she fell in love with me. I was confused, but then I realized my love for her. A roadblock came in the form of my ex-girlfriend Tanu. She was pregnant with my child. Pragya left me, justice for a child was more important than our love for each other.
Her rejection left me in tatters. She disappeared for 20 days and returned as a new Pragya. Pragya Aurora. She came like a typhoon and claimed my properties and assets. Bold and beautiful, but she spit venom like a cobra. Apparently, it was to take revenge on Tanu and Aaliya who had mercilessly ill treated her in the past.
Aaliya was my sister, but she plotted to cripple me snatching away everything I loved with the help of Raj. She somehow succeeded, even though she was behind bars now with Tanu and Raj. Pragya had changed. She revealed the truth of our marriage to everyone. The sufferings and grief that had consumed her and denied her happiness.
She had enough and walked out of the marriage and my life. My Fuggy was gone forever, never to return. I hit the window with my hands as my tears escaped me once more. The pain and anguish was still raw. She had moved on and was living a life of peace and complete bliss. I back down, I didn't deserve her. Never did.
I searched for my bottle of vodka and started gulping it down. It helped me forget the pain and ease my heartache. This was how I was. Neither Daadi, Daasi, Akash or Rachna could do anything to help me. I was completely wasted, living like a corpse. No one could save me now. This was the end for me.
______________________________________________________________________________
"Aashi beta?", I said as I saw her walking through the corridor leading to the living hall.
"Namaste Daadi. You still remember me.", she said with a warm smile which lifted my spirits.
"Of course I remember you beta. You were the one who forgot us.", I told her slightly upset.
I stood up from the sofa and held my arms out for her. She walked into them and embraced me tightly, filling me with a sense of hope and strength that I had lost over the last three years.
I took her face in my hands and studied her. Aashi was still the same. The soft face and brown eyes looked at me with love. Her long hair flowed behind her back. She looked just like how she was back in college. Only difference was that she wore a cotton saree instead of her normal salwaar.
Aashi Malhotra was Abhishek's college mate. They were close friends and she was always there for him whenever he needed a shoulder. Purab knew Aashi as well, and they too shared an understanding bond. Abhishek pursued a degree in Music, while Purab did Business and Accounting, but Aashi studied Medicine, fulfilling the wish of her late mother.
Although, they were in different departments, fate brought them together after a series of mishaps. They became good friends. After graduation, she had to move to Chennai due to her father's transfer. We lost touch for years. My desperation had pushed me to hunt for her. I finally found her and wrote to her a long letter.
It was a letter to a savior. I had poured my heart out into that one letter. The problems that had engulfed my family and eaten away the happiness like cancer. Abhishek was slipping away beyond reach. Pragya was gone. I begged her to come back, but she refused bluntly. Only one person had the chance to save my Abhi and that was Aashi.
"I am sorry Daadi. I didn't mean to.", she said with tears in her eyes.
"It's okay meri bacche.", I said kissing her forehead.
"Indu, Rachna aur Aakash, this is Aashi, Abhi's college mate.", I introduced her to my family, what was left.
"Hello.", Aashi said with a cheer that this house yearned for.
"Daadi, where is he?", Aashi asked me.
"He is upstairs beta. He barely comes down and almost always reeks of alcohol. Abhi is beyond reach beta. I am afraid that I may lose him.", I said choking on my tears.
"Nahi Daadi, mein hoon na. I won't let anything like that happen.", she reassured me wiping away my tears.
"Theek hai beta, I completely trust you. You are my last ray of hope. His room is towards the end.", I said and gripped her shoulders.
"Daadi, don't worry. Do one thing, why don't you prepare all his favorite dishes? I'll definitely bring him down. It may take awhile though. Okay na?", Aashi said with a spring in her voice.
"Accha beta.", I nodded to her.
______________________________________________________________________________
I threw the empty bottle of vodka and it broke into a million pieces. I stared at it and released the similarity to myself. As I was rummaging through the fridge for another bottle, I heard the door open.
"Please go away. I am not hungry. Just please leave me alone.", I said like a tape recorder.
"Hello Abhi. Tum kaise hain?", came a voice.
I stopped what I was doing. I remembered that voice, I know that voice. My mind was foggy and I couldn't think straight. I closed my eyes and tried to recall. It was her. After all these years, I am hearing her voice again. I stood up and turned around to look at the person standing in my doorway. It really was her. She was here.
"Aashi..", I whispered.
"Haan Abhi, you didn't forget me?", she asked.
"How could I forget you? It was you who forgot me Aashi. You just disappeared.", I said taking a step towards her.
"No Abhi, I never forgot you. You were always on my mind.", she said stepping forward.
She looked the same, except for her clothing. But it was the same Aashi from my college days.
"Then why didn't you contact me? Why didn't you stay in touch? Do you even have a clue what I have been through all these years?", I asked her harshly.
"I cannot answer all your questions now Abhi. But I can tell you one thing, I know what you have been through. Everything.", she said calmly stepping closer.
"Why did you come now?", I asked her not bothering to hide my bitterness.
"Because a good friend of mine desperately needs my help.", she said with a smile.
"I don't need anyone's help. I am fine.", I replied her coldly.
"Abhi, there is no harm in asking for help.", she said placing her hand on my shoulder.
"I told you! I don't need any help!", I bellowed at her and brushed her hand off.
I walked towards the window in a huff, kicking my clothes which laid on the floor out of the way. The sky was dark and I wanted the darkness to swallow me whole. I found comfort in the darkness, being all alone. It was easier to cry then. I thought she would give up and leave, but she didn't.
"Abhi, asking for help doesn't mean you are weak. It just means that a person has been strong for too long.", she said and I could feel her presence near me.
"Abhi, please look at me na. Just once. Please.", she said as she came to stand beside me.
I turned to look at her. I knew that I was a mess. I didn't shave and my clothes had the strong smell of alcohol. My eyes were puffy and bloodshot from the lack of sleep. I was wasted.
"Abhi, it's okay to cry and let out all your fears and sorrow. Don't think that you are vulnerable.", she said cupping my face.
Her brown eyes stared at me and I saw her genuine concern and worry. She always tried to hide what she truly felt, but if you stared into her eyes long enough, you'll know what was in her heart.
"Aashi...", I said bringing my hand to hold hers which held my face so preciously.
"No one is here Abhi. Only me. You don't have to hold your tears in front of me. Just let them out. Release your pain. Let me share it Abhi. Let me share your grief and sorrow.", she said looking intently into my eyes.
My tears fell. Hard. I hugged her, sobbing uncontrollably on her shoulder, holding her tight. My chest ached and I felt breathless. Her soft hands held my head and back strongly. I cried my heart out, letting her take in my sorrow and pain.
We stood like that near the window, as it continued to rain heavily outside just like my tears.
____________________________________________________________________________________
12