Hey! I decided to give you guys a treat for being so patient. So, here is chapter 8 😃
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Chapter 8 Pragya and I walked to the roof of the stadium. The city was still alive in this dead of night. Street lights lit up the roads and we heard drivers honking every five seconds. However, it was bearable and we soon turned a deaf ear to the sounds around us.
Pragya started narrating to me what had happened in her life and family. I felt my knees buckling when she spilled the beans on the news of Aunty ji being diagnosed with cancer. It was horrid and I felt ashamed that I wasn't there for her.
I was oblivious to it, in the dark about the reality. Purab was backed into a corner and he gave his word of hiding the truth from me. The poor guy must have been in a mess. On one side, it was this bitter truth and his "postponed" marriage with Bulbul. On the other end of the line was me.
I realised then how fragile life was and chided myself for ruining a part of everyone's life. Pragya related her plight to save her mother. The surgeries, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and emergencies which haunted their home for months on end.
Who was I kidding? She was in a miserable state as well. The saying goes that bad things don't last long, but it wasn't always that way. Pragya and myself are examples, though I wonder if I am worthy of being one.
She wanted to rescue her mother from knocking on Death's door. Alone. Pragya was a high spirited woman with courage and determination. Qualities which I trampled on with my shoes. She didn't want sympathy. Letting me in on this disaster would have done just that.
Giving up wasn't her. Fighting was. She fought many battles on her own whilst being my wife. It made her bitter and changed her into a stealth mode. I had no one to blame but me. Her mother was her world and she would do everything to keep her.
Pragya was different. She has shut off her feelings and her heart was locked in a soundproof room. All that was working was her practical mind. Nothing else and it didn't go unnoticed.
Her embrace had changed. The way she looked at me had changed. The way she spoke had changed. But most importantly, the way she addressed me had changed. I could say that it was because we were divorced. But I wasn't blindsided, not anymore.
"How is Aunty ji now?", I asked her as a wave of wind blew in my face.
"She has not fully recovered, but at least she isn't at Death's door.", she said tucking her hair behind.
"So, you were in Mumbai all along?", I asked her.
"I was Abhishek. But for the past year, I was in the U.S.", she said adjusting her watch.
"U.S?", I said my eyes widening.
"Haan, I took Ma with me for her treatment to America. Everything was possible because of your friend, Aashi.", she said turning to look at me.
Aashi? Aashi. I stood rooted, unable to move or react. How did Aashi meet Pragya? When and where did she meet her? When did Aashi organise all these arrangements for Pragya and Aunty ji? My mind was throwing questions in all directions.
Putting me out of my misery, Pragya told me of how Aashi had called her by getting her number from Purab. They had met in Mumbai and Aashi learned of all the problems plaguing Pragya's life. I finally connected the link, it was the same day Aashi and I had a fight before she fainted.
Convincing Pragya and practically pleading to her, Aashi had managed to get Pragya's approval of her plan. She contacted her friend in the U.S and had all arrangements made. Even finances. Aashi had forked out for the entire treatment regime including flight tickets. She had even sent them off at the airport.
I realised now that Aashi often disappeared to meet her "friend" and had calls in the wee hours of the morning. So, this was what she hid from me? I didn't know what to think. But why did she do all this? Pragya answered for me.
"She wanted your happiness Abhishek. By bringing me back in your life, she wanted to give you the happiness you missed. She was fighting for the both of us. Aashi couldn't see either you or me suffer."
This girl was unbelievable beyond all expectations. I smiled to myself thinking about her. Thank you wasn't enough again, but I was going to kill her for hiding such a huge issue from me.
"Pragya, what are your plans now?", I asked her breaking the silence.
"I don't know Abhishek. I haven't really thought about it. Ma is recovering at a good pace, but I don't know what my next plan is.", she said.
"Pragya, are you going to move on?", I asked her quietly.
"Life moves on, it waits for no one so its best to keep up with it Abhishek.", she said letting out a sigh.
"Pragya.", I said and held her shoulders.
"I know I am not worth it. I know I don't deserve you and my punishment was never enough. But, in the path of moving on, can you give me the opportunity to be with you?", I said looking into her eyes.
"Abhishek?", she gasped.
"I am not forcing you Pragya. After what I put you through, I have no right to ask you this. However, I cannot help it. Will you be with me Pragya? If not a wife, at least a friend?", I pleaded.
"Abhishek, I can't walk back up the treacherous path I ran from.", she said with a quiver.
"I am not asking you to Pragya. Let's take a new path. A fresh path free from misunderstandings and revenge.", I said with hope.
"Abhishek...", she said before moving away from me.
"You won't have to leave your mother or your family. We can all live together in Delhi. Daadi would love to have them. I know you resigned, but you can look for a job here. Half my family is gone Pragya. Having you and Aunty ji, Rockstar Daadi, Jhanki Ma, Bulbul and Purvi may fill the longing space in our hearts. Don't you want Bulbul to be happy? We could get them married Pragya. Purab and Bulbul can stay with us. Please Pragya.", I said grabbing her hand.
"What about us? I cannot just go back to the past like a Stop and Play button Abhishek.", she said sounding exasperated.
"You won't have to. We won't have to. Like I said earlier, we will go down a new path Pragya. It has to start at some point. Why not here? Why not now? Please Pragya. Please give me a chance. I promise you that I'll take care of you and understand you. I'll never hurt you again. You have to believe me, for that you need to give me a chance Pragya. I still love you.", I said as tears started streaming down.
A soft hand gently rested on my cheek and wiped my tears. I looked and met her gaze. I had tried everything I could, now it was up to her to decide my fate.
"Don't cry. When Aashi told me about your sufferings and your attempt to end your life, it tore me apart inside. You are important to me too Abhishek. I am the one who should apologize for abandoning you and even refusing to hear Daadi's pleas. But Aashi, she was God sent. She came to my rescue when I didn't know whom to turn to as Ma's cancer had returned. She did everything Abhishek. Ma is alive because of Aashi. I am able to breathe because of her. I left for the U.S. without meeting you because I didn't want my sorrow to flood you. Aashi went through so much to get you back up and I didn't want to collapse it. I wanted to come back with pure happiness. I didn't worry about you at all, because I knew Aashi was there to watch over you always. That's why I left. She was upset, but I managed to convince her.", Pragya said tears brimming in her eyes again.
"Abhishek, I need some time. All these years, my mind has been bogged down with just Ma. I had no time to think of anyone else, let alone me. Only now, thanks to Aashi, the burden has been lifted. My mind and heart needs to recuperate. I'll take you along with me on our journey of moving on. Like you say, we can start afresh and see where life takes us. But can you give me that time?", she asked cupping my face.
"Anything. Anything you need, I'll give.", I said nodding my head.
"Then it's settled. You and Purab will have to accompany me back to Mumbai. Because truth be told, I am not moving on my own. You have to help me. Besides, everyone at home will be happy to see you.", she said chuckling to herself.
"Done!", I said holding the back of her head.
"But before all that, we need to see a very important person and thank her.", she said pinching my cheeks.
"Aashi.", I said with a sudden realisation.
"Yes, she is the reason we found each other. She is the reason we have another shot in life. She is the reason you are alive and I owe her my life for that. I want her to stay with us Abhishek. She is family and I want her by my side.", Pragya said holding my arms which rested on her shoulders.
I couldn't agree more. I wanted Aashi with me as well. I loved her and I didn't want to lose her again. With that, we left the rooftop and made our way down to the lounge. As we walked in smiling, I could see the delight on my family's faces. We gave them a brief summary of our conversation back on the rooftop and Daadi was thrilled to have added family members.
We told them of Aashi's role in masterminding our reunion. I kept rambling on until I noticed that everyone's expression had changed. It was darkened and glum. Pragya also picked up the sudden change in the mood as she grabbed my hand to stop me from speaking further.
"Daadi, kya hua? Where is Aashi?", she asked.
"Haan Daadi. Where is Aashi? Purab, wasn't she with you?", I asked looking around the huge lounge.
No one answered, but they were all gazing somewhere else, except in my direction.
"Arre! Rachna, Aakash, where is Aashi? Rachna, go and call her na. Tell her that her cover is blown and that I am mad at her.", I said smirkingly.
"Abhi, she is gone.", Daadi spoke.
"Gone? Gone where?", I asked feeling irritated.
"Bhai, Aashi is gone.", Purab said from the corner.
"What do you mean GONE! What are you talking about?!!", I raised my voice.
There was no answer and my fuse had blown.
"Where is Aashi?!!!", I shouted.
Just then, Daadi stepped forward with a letter in her hand. I gingerly took it from her, afraid of its contents. The cover envelop had the words "To dearest Abhi, With love Aashi."
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Itti Si Khushi Sab TV
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
12