Abhi-Pragya fiction - Relationship (Epilogue -Pg 22) - Page 2

Did I just hear a soft knock at the door? It was around 2 am, must be him. I got up, tied my hair in bun, and adjusted my night dress. Yes, him. As usual, he threw his mobile on the side table, took off his hooded jacket and shoes. I was very sleepy, went back in the cozy quilt and he followed, he cuddled me from the back untied my hair and just slept. May be he was also too tired to do anything else tonight.

It was drizzling in the morning; I could smell the bread pakoda from the mess. I got 2 pieces for him, prepared his coffee and left for college. Wish I have had a bigger kitchen in my room, I always liked to cook.

While having dinner in the mess, again I heard the same song and then a short interview about his new album. He acts/speaks so different on the screen. But who am I to judge when I have no idea how he is in real life. We do not talk. He never asks, I never question. I should not think much about him, one day he will stop coming and that would be the end of all this. I may not love him but know for sure, I won't let anyone touch me, if not him.

Charu enjoys his songs, basically she enjoys all peppy songs, doesn't matter who the singer is. I like her, she knows her limits well and has right amount of maturity. She is full of enthusiasm, despite of our hectic schedule, she finds her ways to have fun. She has a boyfriend, Rakesh, he stays little far, and they spend every weekend together. Charu also never asked about him, not a single question. How strange is this? Anyways, leave it Pragya, go back to Room.

Wait, did they shoot this song near beach, is this the same beach. That night when he took me out of the water, saved my life. Without knowing who I am, he was ready to put his life in danger and me, oh, I did not even want to thank him. Rather I wanted to ask WHY, but words just couldn't come out. I was shivering; I could sense he is hell worried about me. He was asking so many questions but I just couldn't reply to any. It was only when I heard the word "Hospital", I came back to my senses, I was in his car, covered with a jacket and he was taking me to the hospital. I said, "Hostel", I told him the address and he left me at the hostel gate. He asked if it is ok for him to come inside. I told - "No, I'll manage".

That's it, our first and last conversation till date. He came after 2 days, I'm sure he only wanted to check on me if I was doing fine. He had definitely thought that was my suicide attempt. I came out of the shower on the knock sound, hair was all wet, my t-shirt was white, I wasn't expecting a man per se. I wasn't wearing essentials, but I was covered with towel, that fell down while picking up his dry-cleaned jacket from the table. He was looking at me, right into my eyes, I couldn't get what exactly was happening to me, but something was. I couldn't move my eyes either. He was coming towards me; he held my face and started kissing me...oh no...directly on lips. I froze, couldn't kiss back. His fingers were moving in my hair, touching my face, lips, and ears. I knew what he wanted, something forbidden, something I should never give to anyone without a set of rituals but I just couldn't stop him. I did not want all that, I knew who he is, but for me, he is a stranger, wait, no, he is not a stranger, someone who almost gave away his life to save mine. Now, he owns me much more I own myself. He does have all the rights on me. That's his wish to do with me whatever he wants. I'm no one to stop him, to have him what already is his. I'll never say no to him, never.

It is almost 6 months now that he has been coming to my room. There is no fixed pattern except that he seems tired when comes and remains asleep till I leave for college. I've never seen him leaving my room when I'm still there. Rarely does he get calls on his cell which I find strange, given by his celebrity status. And mostly I hear a name "Purab". It has been 3 weeks now, too long. Enough Pragya, stop it now, you knew this day will come, and you will not see him again in your room. You have always prepared yourself for this day, now stop it. Move Pragya...move...go to Charu's room to return her papers.

This is when Charu pointed out that my face looks all dry, I realized, I have not been applying any cream after bathing. And I'm also not sure when did I wash my hair last time. I had a sudden urge to take the shower. I left my room's door slightly open as Charu told she would be coming to take some books, and I went to bathroom for a long shower.

I heard a knock on the bathroom door, oh no, that's HIS knock. He is outside my bathroom door; I couldn't think straight for a moment, just wrapped myself with towel and unlatched it. Yes, he was there, seeing me in towel, he took off his t-shirt while coming inside. He threw my towel down, only to be accompanied by his jeans soon. I saw his manhood coming to its full glory by bare sight of me, I felt happy in a weird way. That was the longest kiss we had so far, he started applying soap all over me and then gave me to apply on him. I have no idea what possessed me that night but the feelings were out of this world. I never knew this act can give so much pleasure, it was divine. We did it in different poses.

We both were tired after our long shower. I could hear his grumbling stomach and went to get food from mess. I kept the food on the table and left to return the books to Charu, as I didn't want her to come to my room tonight. He had finished everything in a couple of minutes, I wanted to ask if he wants more, but, just couldn't say it. Words refused to come out. I really wanted to ask, I did try again but just couldn't. That's not right, why, why I just can't say anything to him. It's not that he had never heard my voice, he had seen me talking to Charu a couple of times. But, what is wrong, why can't I say anything to him. But he also never talks. I realized he is already retired to bed, lying on his stomach; he pulled me in as I went near to him. And we both went to peaceful sleep.

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"You can't keep a fling forever." Purab said in a soft voice. He had been asking me about my relationship with the hostel girl. He was sure that this relationship has no future as there is no communication. While I do agree with him, but I just don't want to change anything. It is convenient. Very different. No questions, no expectations. Something that I have always wanted, a hassle free relationship. I can't make him understand that it is not just lust this time. I like the quietness of that room and my peaceful sleep. There is enough noise in my own world that the quietness of her world feels soothing.

And she seems to be a career oriented woman who doesn't want any relationship complications just like me. Her muteness justifies that. And I'm no idiot to start the communication when she doesn't want to.

And above all, I can stop anytime. After all she is just a woman, A WOMAN.

"Purab, I'm starving, let's order something."

(In the other part of the city)

"Ladies and gentlemen, join your hands together and welcome Dr. Vinayak Kulkarni and Prof Ms Pragya Arora. Today they are here to tell us more about the revolutionary upcoming syllabus changes for Graduate courses.

Dr. Kulkarni, how does it feel when Government has agreed to your new syllabus changes plan and soon it will be applicable in the upcoming sessions."

"Of course, we feel elated. We have had put lots of effort in this and it always feel good when your efforts are being recognized and appreciated."

"Thank you Dr. Kulkarni. We have audience who are waiting to get more details about it. Should we start with the Question-Answer session?"

"Yes, sure. Ms. Arora will take care of all the queries. While I'm not so good in clearing doubts, she can even convince a wall."

And here I started, people were shooting questions right and left, so much debate, few raised voices at times, and by the time it all finished, I realized anchor was full of praises for me, audience were clapping for me. And my mentor, Dr. Kulkarni was proudly looking at me.

I knew I'm good in all that but never knew that in the presence of cameras as well.

I didn't feel like going back to the room. I decided to go to the newly opened Crossword. It was huge, five floors dedicated only for books, I instantly felt good. After selecting few, I decided to order Cold coffee and started reading my new possessions.

There was not much movement around, not many were there considering it was a late weekday afternoon. After some time I heard a name Purab. "Purab, I'm starving. Let's order something".

I knew in my heart he is here, but still I wanted to ignore it until I realized they were talking about me.

"Abhi, you have to do something about this hostel thing. Dadi is very serious this time about your marriage. You may not get much time to control the damage once she knows about your cheating on your fiance. Bhai, she wants to finalize your wedding date. Aaliya has even started the shopping.

Tell me Bhai. Do you really think this relationship has a chance? You are a Rockstar, your wife should have an aura, a great personality. You know what I mean. Just tell her you won't be coming again. Just do it, in cold turkey way."

"I'm still hungry. Let's go home and eat something nice."

Ok. He didn't reply. Neither accepted nor denied. What could that mean? Whatever, he has a fiance with an aura. Soon he'll stop coming if not now.