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We broke the hug, and all I can see was her smiling face, with full of happiness. I turned to look at the audience, I mean my college students, and they all were clapping. I can see Sarla aunty also reached there, Ram uncle and Sarla aunty smiled widely and clapped for me. Once at that moment I felt, if my parents were alive, they also will be like this only, will be proud for me. It's all because of her.
She took the mike from me, I wondered what she gonna talk now. But to all my surprise she introduced me as her closest friend Abhishek', even she mentioned me as Abhi, The Rockstar'. My new tag. Everyone clapped thunderously when she gave me that tag. I never ever imagined that it will become my brand name in future. And we were supposed to get down of the stage, but she stopped, again she asked for the mike. The Audio helper gave the mike to her. She said last but not the least which left everyone with a mental slap.
She said Don't judge a Book by its Cover' and looked me with a smile and winked. I am blessed to have her in my life.
Once again I fell in love with her. I am happy. And she was too happy. Ram uncle congratulated me for my singing. Sarla aunty blessed me to reach the height of success. I felt a tap on my shoulder. It's Purab.
We excused Pragya, uncle and aunty, left the place.
Purab started the conversation that he gonna leave the college in few days after the exams, he requested me to take care of Pragya. I assured him that she is my responsibility. He reminded me about her birth and how uncle and aunty worried about her, that she shouldn't get into any problem. She needs an emotional care always. Here again the same question rose, who was Purab for Pragya? What was the relationship between them? But I didn't dare to ask him. With so much pleases, he left me, and I am here, felt my love for her few minutes before and I am questioning about their relationship. Leave everything to the time, it gives the answer for every question, or sometime some question can be left unanswered, that's better.
The day ended with questions, and expectation of answers.
The days rolled faster, and its semester time, I found myself complicated with my studies and part time job. I found very less time to study. Pragya was there then what to worry for. She helped me in studying. We always studied together. Since I have past experience in studying the same subject, I understood everything soon. But man, she was indeed a professor. Semester started. Late night Pub job was sucking my energy nowadays, I slept very rare. I requested for a break until my semester gets over, but I didn't get the permission for that. No other go, I completely depended on her for studies.
Only two exams were remaining for us, for Purab all the exams over. And he got a job at Delhi, in the Campus Drive and he will be leaving Mumbai in few days. Thankfully for the last two exams I got a break from my PUB job, she called me to her home for studying. We used to study together, always in college, either in early morning or late in the evening but I never went to her home for that.
I was in her home, in the living room. We were not studying anything, just a warm revise. Purab was also there. Me sitting on the left side of Pragya, Purab was right side. I saw Pragya was sliding her head on Purab's shoulder, immediately Purab pushed her and laughed. She smirked. Purab got up from there and moved to the other sofa on the opposite side of us, where Ram uncle was sitting and checking some files.
I got back into studies, but Pragya asked me to turn the left side and sit. I did as she said, and questioned her. I waited for a reply, but I got the reply by her act. She rested her back on my back and said I'm the best as I never restrict her for anything. I shook my head in disbelief and dived into studying. After a while I felt her weight over me increased, also I can hear Ram uncle and Purab's soft chuckle. I turned to them and gestured as what'. Purab took out his mobile and clicked a snap of us and showed me. Unbelievable this girl was, she dozed off in my back, by keeping her book over her chest and legs over the side lamp table. She is a trickster. I slowly kept my books on the paper table near the sofa and took the small pillow on the sofa and made to rest her head on it.
Evening I left her home with Purab. Purab was sharing his memories about Pragya with me. Jealousy was at its peak until I heard him saying how he felt for Pragya for the first time he met her. Yes, I am trying to understand their relationship. Purab felt that she was special to him, when her tiny fingers held his finger while she joined school. From this I can understand Purab knew her from the childhood. She was the most special girl in his life. I can say that he cares for her more than her parents. She was really blessed to have such persons around her. And I'm lucky that I got an opportunity to be with them. Thanks to My Pragya.
Our exams got over. Finally I completed my second year, second time, that too properly. Pragya asked me to wait at Basket ball court. As it's the last day of second year, we are going to be the seniors of the college next. She sends off all her classmate and came to Basket ball court. There are some juniors who are playing. Pragya came and sat near me. I asked her why she wants me to wait here. She said that she like to spend time with me. Without second thought I asked her Why'. She remained silent and replied that she doesn't know but she like it. I smiled and mentally shouted that she was also feeling the same as I do.
Before I could ask her anything, she stood up from there and joined the juniors for playing basketball. I chuckled and thought myself whether she left the place to change the topic or she felt shy. Anyway I could see the difference in her behavior too. A year journey with her, I remembered every moment spent with her, while she was playing with juniors. An unknown smile filled in my face. I can see she was missing the basket; she was losing the points while playing. She didn't give up but she couldn't basket the ball. Clearly I can say she was not concentrating in the game.
I just waited for a moment, this time also she gonna miss the basket. But how could I let her miss, while she reached the basket, I lift her up by holding her hip; she surprised for a moment and basket the ball. I land her down; she turned to me and hugged me. I can feel her happiness. She said that till I'm with her, she can never fail, and I'm her support system. I thought myself Hey girl you're saying the entire thing which I wanna say you'.
I remembered Purab's words on that evening returning to home, "Nowadays Pragya was comfortable with you, and you mean something more to her than us" these are Purab's words. What does it means that I am something more to her than any other. What was that meaning I couldn't understand? Is that close friend or love? Confusion remained in the same state.
I thought semester holidays gonna be hell, but no she made me to join shuttle. Every morning and evening we used play shuttle. At least I got a reason to meet her daily. One day when we were returning to home, she said she had met many boys, who would propose her within few days of meeting her. Always she wondered I would be like them, she thanked that I am not like other boys. What was that? Why this topic came? Does she mean me as just friend? Or is there any other reason? She started the bike and I sat behind her. It was an unusual silence between us. She didn't speak anything. There was a sudden brake; I don't have any other option than holding her hip. It's just a sudden act. I can feel she jumped a little by my touch. It was an awkward moment for both.
We reached my home and I got down from the bike. She said Bye' and supposes to leave the place, I stopped her. She was little nervous. First time I am seeing her nervous like this. And I made the situation in my favor. I dared and asked her if I had proposed her means what will be her response?' her eyes widened in surprising look. I expected a terrific or anger look. But I can see her lips curve for a smile and she was suppressing the smile. I understood. I don't want to make her even more nervous, so I let her go home without prompting answer for my question.
I rested on my bed, still that eyes and its look when I asked her if I proposed her, oscillating in my mind. Definitely she feels for me. Else the chatterbox Pragya would never be this much silent. She was familiar for counter back answers. For the first time, she was searching words to answer me. More enough for me, even she confess or not, me gonna confess my love soon.
The next day I got a surprise, in the morning I opened door of my home, I saw Pragya standing there. She was smiling, and that smile was different. It's naughty and mischievous. I can clearly guess that she had done something mischievously. I welcomed her inside and asked what. She gestured her eyes to look outside the home. I turned and looked at the entrance. Alia and Daadi were there. My eyes widened in happiness. I ran and hugged both together, and that was an awesome surprise. I asked Alia why she didn't inform me about the arrival and she replied that Pragya only requested to keep it as surprise. I looked at her, she winked.
After a while, I again heard calling bell sound, I reached there and opened the door to see Ram uncle and Sarla aunty was there. I welcomed them. We planned for a lunch together and evening we can go for beach.
Pragya cooked today, Alia and Sarla aunty helped her. Daadi shared some recipes which I like to eat. I wondered why this much happiness for me today. She asked me to wait for little more time.
We all sat together in the dining table, we shared the dishes altogether. It looked like a complete family. Alia smiling and Daadi's happiness gave me peace. Three years before when I discontinued my studies and went for job, my family was in a worst situation. I used to be in hunger, to make them eat for at least two times a day. Today we are sitting here, happily having our favorite food, all because of Ram uncle. And thanks to my destiny which made me to meet Sarla aunty on that day near Mandir.
At evening we reached Beach, in Ram uncle's car. Alia Pragya and I played in the waves. Daadi and Ram uncle and Sarla aunty sat on the shore. Still I remember those days, when I and Alia were studying in school; we used to come to beach every weekend with my parents. This day reminds me about my mom and dad a lot. It's late, we thought to return back home. Everyone started to get back to the car. Pragya stopped me. I turned to her side. She took her bag and handover me an envelope. I opened it. This girl has decided that this day to be a surprising day for me in my life.
I got an opportunity to work with Love Life Music Company from next year. Only requirement needed was my degree. She had already sent them my singing performance video, which recorded on Purab's farewell party. My passion is Singing, My Parents wants me to be a singer, but I suppressed my passion for my family situation, because I had responsibility at that time when my parents passed away.
Today she gave me my life back, my passion back. I couldn't hold my happiness more, which I am bottling up from the morning. I hugged her and twirled her in the seashore. She hugged me tightly. My entire family was looking at us. When I landed her, I kissed in her cheek and thanked her. She was shocked by my sudden act. It took me some moment to register what I have done, immediately I looked back near the car in fear, whether my family saw me kissing her, thankfully they got into the car. I apologized to her and reasoned that I don't know how to convey my happiness.
She asked me to bend a little. I did and I reach to her height, we face each other closely.
She came close to me; I closed my eyes as I don't know what was in her mind.
She cupped my face and said All the Best Rockstar'.
She kissed me in my forehead, in that second, I felt my mom and opened my eyes. Tears rolled over my cheek.
With love,
Abhigya (Abhi)
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
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