First Love : Abhi & Pragya SS (AU) Part 5 at Pg. 1

"Mum, Purvi is here," Charan ran to the door when he heard the bell rang. I followed him to make sure it's Purvi before he opens it. But he beat me to it and opened the door. I rushed to the door to make sure it's not an ax murderer or a stranger. You can never be too careful these days. As I reached the door, I looked out. I saw Aaliyah standing outside with a big grin on her face. And behind her was Abhi with a tight smile. Aaliyah walked into the hall and hugged me, ignoring my son's perplexed face. I hugged her back and gave a small smile to Abhi. Charan was still standing there wondering who these strangers are.

"I've missed you, Pragya," Aaliyah said while still hugging me.

"Missed you too," I said. This is too much to process right now. She finally let me go. Charan came next to me and tugged my pants. That's when I got myself together and invited Abhi and Aaliyah to take a seat.

"How did you know this address?" I asked. Charan was still standing next to me holding on to my flannel pants.

"How rude Pragya! Shouldn't you be asking how have I been? Is this how you lecture your students?" Aaliyah joked.

"I meant..." I started but Abhi interrupted me.

"We found out you are lecturing adults with learning difficulties. It was in one of their website. So, we went there and asked for your address. Aaliyah can be very persuasive, which I am sure you already know," Abhi smirked.

I nodded and smiled at them. I introduced Charan to them. He waved slightly and ran to the room.

"Is that the son you mentioned?" Abhi asked. Aaliyah looked at Abhi and then at me.

"You are married?" Aaliyah asked.

"Was," I answered and they both looked at me.

Do I need to explain everything right now? I don't want to seem ungrateful that they came all the way here just looking for me. However, I don't want to talk about it. Past are meant to be buried. I gave a tight smile and excused myself to get them drinks. I took a glance at myself at the kitchen mirror and shuddered. My hair was knotted into a messy bun and my eyes are puffy. There was nothing I can do about it now. I sighed and poured juice into two glasses. I place them on a tray and brought it to the living room. I sat on the one-seater sofa trying to act casual. I looked at Aaliyah. She still looked the same, only prettier. Her long black hair is long gone. She has a short bob hair which enhances her sharp cheeks. Abhi has changed the most. His face is clean shaven and his hair is neatly cut and well combed. He looks different now. I am sure we all do, actually. I wonder what do they see when they look at me. The same Pragya or a new refined Pragya, or worse a much pathetic Pragya? All my insecurities were starting to emerge and it made me a little uncomfortable.

"So, how is everyone? How is Bulbul and your dad?" Aaliyah asked.

"Bulbul is fine. Dad is staying with her," I said. I don't want to say much nor do I want to know how well are they doing. Aaliyah nodded slightly and looked down. She is not as enthusiastic when she barged into my place. What did they expect? That after all these years I would act like nothing has happened. Things were getting a little too awkward. None of us knew what to say. Charan came to my rescue with his PS4 console.

"Help me. My ps4 is not working," he said with a concerned face.

Before I could answer, Abhi interrupted, "Why what's wrong with it?

And the next thing I know is that Abhi and Charan went into the playroom. I am honestly a little relieved because I know nothing about video game, let alone fix it. I sighed and realized Aaliyah is looking at me. I didn't know what to say. I have heard people say that when you meet someone after a long time, you will have so much to talk about. But I think it's wrong. We definitely talked more back then when we met almost every day. Does absence really makes the heart fonder, I wondered. Her phone rang and she rummaged through her bag searching for it. She excused herself and walked out. Could that be her boyfriend or fiance? Is she married? Maybe I can ask her about things like this when she comes in just to be polite.

Aaliyah rushed in with an anxious face. "Pragya, I am sorry but I need to leave. There is a problem at work that I to attend to," she said and left before I could say anything.

She rushed back again and said, "Tell my brother to get a cab please," she said and ran to the elevator. I just nodded at her wondering what has happened. Never imagined that Aaliyah would be working. She has never been a career-oriented person. I smiled and locked the door. I took both glasses to the sink and remembered that Abhi is still in the house. Never in my craziest dream, would I have dared to imagine Abhi in this house. But then crazier things have happened, so this shouldn't really surprise me. I rinsed both of the glasses and went to check on both of them.

"Wait, how old are you?" Abhi asked Charan.

"Seven." Charan answered.

"How come you have reached level 8 already? Besides this game was only launched two days ago. I am barely passing level 6," I heard Abhi saying. I chuckled at that.

"Bring me to your place and I will help you," Charan said and fixed his spectacles. Abhi laughed. Charan is a little arrogant when it comes to video games since he knows he is good. That's why Abhi's compliments doesn't affect him.

"Okay. Help me, please," Abhi begged and they both focused on playing the game. I didn't want to interrupt because Charan barely had company to play video games with him. I went in my room to get a shower and changed my clothes. I had lecture today and Purvi should be here any minute.

Thirty minutes later, I heard the doorbell rang and I opened the door to let Purvi in. I should be leaving now to work. I went into the playroom and told Abhi that I am about to leave and Charan's babysitter has arrived.

"Sorry. Is Aaliyah there? Tell her I am ready to leave," he said and put the console on the table.

"But the game hasn't finished. We still need to play," Charan complained. Abhi smiled apologetically.

"Charan, I think you should stop playing now and finish your homework. Purvi is here and she will help you with it. I will get you the ice-cream you asked for," I said and kissed his forehead. He had no choice but to oblige. He nodded and turned off his PlayStation.

Before he left the room, he turned to Abhi and said, "Come back next time to bring me to your house so we can play again."

"What was that about?" I asked Abhi after Charan left to his room.

"Just something between us guys," he winked and got up from his seat.

"Whatever," I smirked.

"Yeah. I have to leave now. Did you and Aaliyah have a nice chat?" Abhi asked.

"No. She has left actually. She had something to do and left in a rush. She asked you to get a cab. You were busy playing, so I didn't want to disturb," I said.

"What? But my wallet and phone is in her car. I parked my car at her place. I have a meeting at the recording studio in a while," he said while messing up his perfectly combed hair. He seemed really distressed.

"I can give you a lift. Where is it? I'm on my way to work anyway," I offered. He looked at me and nodded helplessly.

I left the house with Abhi and we went into parking basement. He got into the car and sighed. We drove in silence. Occasionally he would look at me, but I pretended to not notice.

"You and Charan seem to have gotten close," I broke the silence.

"Well he was much easier to get close to compared to his mom. I know where he got his arrogance from," he joked. I laughed. I forgotten how easy it is to talk to him.

"Sorry. It runs in the blood. But he doesn't really talk to many people let alone play games with them. Consider yourself lucky," I said.

"Yes, I am extremely honored," he said and bow his head down. I couldn't help but laugh again.

"I am surprised at your driving skills. Remembering the time when you went to the driving test, I never had thought you would be this good. I have always thought you sucked at driving," he said just to aggravate me.

"I don't know if you are complimenting or insulting me," I said in annoyed voice.

"Do you remember when you and Tannu went for the driving test? Tannu passed on the first try, meanwhile you had to go multiple times. You were so jealous of her," he laughed.

"I was not jealous of her," I said.

"You were. Come on, admit it," he said.

"Look if you are going to be annoying, I am going to pull over and drop you right here in the middle of nowhere," I said. He just kept laughing. So much for being a grown up. He is still an asshole. He has always been like this. Teasing me. He only reduced his teasing when we were in a relationship. I tightened my grip on the steering. Somehow, just the thought of it makes me anxious. We didn't say much after that. I stopped the car at the recording studio.

"Aaliyah doesn't know anything," Abhi said while opening the car door. I turned to look at him.

"What?" I asked.

"All she knew was one day she got up and the two friends that were close to her left without saying anything. She was angry for weeks and months. Slowly she accepted her friends were not coming back and moved on. She was excited to see you finally. I know you don't want to do anything with me but can you please be a little nicer to Aaliyah?" he asked and looked at me. I looked down immediately. What was I supposed to say? When I didn't reply, he sighed and got down.

I went back to home at night and sent Purvi back home. I gave her the present and she seemed to like it which was a good thing. On the way home, Charan slept in the car. I carried him all the way to his room and put him to sleep. Well, he just have to skip brushing his teeth for a night. I got ready for bed and laid on the bed. I just couldn't sleep. Abhi's words before he got down kept repeating itself in my mind. I didn't have anything to say to him. Should I call Bulbul and tell her that I met them? But that would bring her back to her painful past. I got up from the bed and opened one of the drawer in my wardrobe. I opened the box where I kept my old stuffs. I brought the box to the desk and took out the things. My license fell out. I still remember how I lied that I lost it when I went to renew it. Knowing that they will discard it when they give me a new one, I lied and even paid fine. I looked at that girl in that card. She was wearing a thick black spectacle and grinned right back at me.

"Abhi what are you doing?" I asked. On a Saturday morning, he woke me up saying that something urgent came up and requested me to meet him at the park near his house. Like an idiot I rushed there, only to be dragged by him into his car.

"You will see. Just get in and you will see," he said and got in the driver's seat. I sighed and got into the car. Twenty minutes later, he drove into an empty parking lot. It looked abandoned, to be honest. I looked at him. I know why he brought me here.

"I am not going to do it," I said.

"Come on. Is it that bad if I teach you how to drive?" he asked.

"Yes, of course. What makes you think I need you to help me? I do go for my own driving lessons remember. I don't need you to teach me," I said angrily.

"Yeah, I am sure you're. The fact that you will be going for the fifth driving test shows how effective your driving lessons are," he said in a sarcastic tone.

I stared at him. Does he need to pinpoint my weakness? At first our relationship was fun. It was exciting and I had fun exploring new things with him. But now most of the time, all we do is argue. He doesn't open up to me or tell me anything about his past. I know he is upset about his dad but he never talks about it. What if I do the same thing back? Should I pinpoint his mistakes as well? Like for instance how he sucks at his studies. Would he like it if I start giving him tuition? I am sure he will be offended. He wouldn't like it at all. So why does he think I would want his help? And why can't I put it in better words and tell him? But I didn't say anything. I got off from the car and exchanged seat with him. I got into the driver seat and started the engine.

After thirty minutes, Abhi finally decided to give up. He was exhausted from teaching me to step on the right pedal and hold the steering properly. We were both sweating and got off from the car. I was going to get in on the seat at the passenger side when he took my hand and led me to the bonnet. He jumped and sat on it. He gave his hand as a gesture to join him. Reluctantly, I took his hand and sat next to him. He wiped the sweat off his forehead and leaned himself on the car rear window screen.

"I hope you finally get that I suck at it and won't waste your time teaching me," I said slowly.

"Is it so wrong that I want to help you?" he asked not looking at me.

"No. It's wrong that you can't accept I might not actually be good at something. I just can't drive. I have accepted it. Why can't you?" I asked.

"No, you haven't," he challenged,

"So now you know me better than myself?" I asked.

"Yeah, as a matter of fact I do. I saw the look on your face when Tannu passed the test and you failed. You were jealous and devastated," he said slowly.

"I wasn't jealous," I said exasperatedly.

"If you say so," he said in a sarcastic tone.

"Why haven't you quit then? If you have accepted that you aren't good at driving, why don't just give up? Why do you waste your time going for lessons and driving tests?" he continued.

"The truth is you've convinced yourself in your head that you're not good at so many things. So when you fail at something, you decide that you suck at it. This negativity of yours is the reason why you keep failing," he finished and finally looked at me.

"Stop getting all shrink on me," I said defensively.

"No. Just being a good boyfriend," he said and sat up. He put his arm on me and continued, "Look, tomorrow is your test. We don't have much time and I know for sure that you want to pass tomorrow. Just give your all and let me teach you. In spite that, if you still fail I will agree that you suck at this." I gave a kiss on his cheek and nodded yes.

A drop of tear fell on the card and I wiped it right away, afraid it might stain the license. It's bad enough that is almost 10 years old. And you know what, I got it the next day at the driving test. I looked back at the girl grinning on the card. She didn't just have that big smile on her face because she passed the test, but also that she learnt to not be negative about herself. All thanks to Abhi.

THANKS AGAIN FOR READING!!! 😳