First Love : Abhi & Pragya SS Part 4 at Pg. 10 (Updated)

I was about to enter into the pub that Purab sent me to. Apparently, he came down with high fever and flu, that he can't make it to the meeting with Pragya. Which left me with a lot of suspicion. Why would they meet alone here just two of them without the rest of the gang? Purab is my best friend, yet not even once he mentioned about this meeting to me. I sighed and walked into the pub. I love drinking but for some reason I hate pubs. The stench is what I cannot stand. I frantically started looking for Pragya. The one with the big full trimmed spectacles and her hair tucked into high bun using pencils. But no one like that is to be seen. I was about to give up and walk away when I found her. Only she looked different. Her hair is let loose and she took off her spectacles. She even applied those make-ups that my sister wears. She almost looks like Bulbul and Aaliyah. Almost. She finally looked at me and her eyes widened. As soon as she saw me, she ignored me by looking down at her drink. That's how it's going to be, Specky? Fine. I approached her and stood right at her table. She had no choice but to look at me. She raised her eyebrows.

"Purab can't make it. He wanted me to tell you that," I said as snobbish as I could. She didn't answer but something in her eyes changed. They gone sad. Her eyes dropped down to the table. And I don't know what to do.

"Why are you dressed like Bulbul?" I asked hoping she would stop feeling sad.

"Shut up, Abhi. I am not in the mood," she said and walked off leaving me confused. I sighed and dropped some cash on the table for the drink she left unpaid. I went out of the pub to find her sitting down in a small bench, crying. She was wearing this pink top with high-waisted skirt that is only about two or three inch short. She put on her cashmere jacket to cover herself from feeling cold. I am sure all this clothes belongs to Bulbul. I've seen Bulbul wearing that a few times. There's no way Specky would ever wear this kind of clothes. From the way things turned out, I can see that Purab and she were supposed to be out in a date. And she think she's been dumped. But that's not it. Purab is sick and unfit to see her. And I am sure he tried calling her home and failed. That's why he asked me to inform her. Somehow, I don't know why but I am happy that Purab got sick. I don't really like the idea of them both together romantically. But it's unfair to her. I should go and explain it all to her.

I went towards the bench and sat next to her. She stopped crying and looked at me. Tears streaked all over her face. Mascaras ran down her face and this is why she always looked better without make-up. I took the tissue she was holding in her hand and brought it to her face. I wiped the tears and ended up smearing the mascaras further. I couldn't help but laugh. Horrified, she removed my hand away and took a compact mirror from her small purse that could never fit her novel collections which she always carries. She opened it and peeked a look in it. She gasped slightly and gave me a sharp look. I gave her an apologetic smile.

"Thanks, but I think it's enough damage you've done for today," she said and walked off. But apparently, the end of the heels she was wearing, another accessory she must've borrowed from Bulbul got stuck in one of the drainage hole. And because she was pulling it out forcefully, it broke and she lost balance. Thank god, I was at her rescue and held on her before she fell to the ground. She fell right into my arms perfectly.

"Wait, let me help you, okay," I said and got the heels out of the hole. After regaining her balance, she let me go. She took her heels off.

"Thanks," was all she muttered.

"Oh, f**k! Bulbul is so going to kill me. This is her favorite pair. Why is my luck so bad?" she continued.

"So, you even utter profanity at times in need. Classy," I told while laughing. I still can't believe saint martyr Pragya just blurted out the F-word.

"Stop laughing asshole. My day has been really bad. And it's getting worse now that you're here lingering around me. Why don't you just piss off so I can finally get a break?" she shouted.

"Hey, I just wanted to make you feel better. I wanted to explain why Purab can't make it but now that you want me gone, fine I will go," I said angrily and walked away. God, what is wrong with this girl? Why is she always so hard on me? Why does she always think so low of me? I still remember the day Bulbul brought her big sister and introduced her to our gang. I admit I never liked her in the first place. Only because she acts like such a know-it-all and I felt threatened by her superiority complex. But everyone in our group Purab, Aakash and Aaliyah warmed up to Pragya. Except me and Tannu. I don't know what Tannu's deal with her is. But now that I'm actually trying, she just pushed me away. I kicked the nearby trash bin and went into the Lexus my dad handed down to me for my 18^th birthday.

I entered the key into the ignition and was about to start the car when someone opened the car and entered in. It was Pragya. What is she doing in my car?

"Sorry, but I got no ride home. I was supposed to go back with Purab. And I am very sorry about what I said just now. I am just very upset and took it out on you. That was totally out of line and I am sorry, again," she said and slowly and finally looked into my eyes.

Earlier, I was so mad that I could've thrashed out this car somewhere and now her apology as made all that disappear to nowhere. Well, they have a term for that. It's called whipped. Oh, shut up Abhi. You don't see her like that. Yeah, keep telling yourself that.

"Look, I know that there's a long list of things you don't like about me and all, but" I was stopped.

"The list isn't that long and after today it might actually never exist at all," she said with a sweet smile and leaned into her seat. She fixed her seatbelt and looked in front. I smiled inwardly and started the car. We didn't say anything except looked at each other once in a while and smiled. It was a little awkward and comfortable at the same time. Her skirts were pretty short and I can see that she was very uncomfortable sitting with that. She tried to tug her skirt down further so her skin isn't further exposed. Voluntarily I took my leather jacket off, using one hand while the other hand was in the steering, and I placed it on her lap. She looked at me with a shocked expression.

"You asked why I am dressed like my sister, right?" she asked in a small voice.

"Well, I am not pushing. If you feel like sharing it with me, I am all ears," I said.

"Okay. Bulbul kind of forced me. She and Aaliyah had this weird theory where guys will only like you if you dress up like this. And they kind of talked me into it. And now look at me. I am nothing but a mess," she said and sighed. She looked at the rearview mirror and tried to wipe the mascara that I unintentionally smeared everywhere.

"I am really sorry about that," I apologized again. She didn't say anything but rested her head on the window.

"Were you supposed to be on a date with Purab?" I asked dreading the answer.

"Yes. At least I think so. No. Honestly, I am not sure," she rambled.

"Wow. Thank you for such a clear answer," I said sarcastically.

And then I realized that she think Purab stood her up. I was about to clarify that when I saw her crying again.

"Hey," I called her.

"I am sorry. It's just that I need to cry and it can't wait till I reach home. I just can't. Not with my sister sharing the same room as me," she said in between sobs.

I stopped the car and watched her let it all out. She was crying without much noise but I can hear them. She is lucky she can let it all out. I can't. After my dad died last year, I automatically became the man of the house. I am expected to be the strong one. The one who should stay strong, so the others can grief. I lost the luxury of breaking down since then, and it feels nice that Pragya/Specky found me comfortable enough to open up emotionally. She opened her side of the door and faced outside. Finally, she rested her head on the seat and released a heavy sigh. I can't believe it. All this just for a guy. How much does she actually like him? It started to worry me and I can't help feeling that way. What if Purab have strong feelings for her too? Then what about me? I can't just stand on the side of the road and watch this two get together. I've always had this unknown feeling that terrifies the hell out of me when she's around me. That's why I've always stayed away from her hoping the feelings will disappear. But lately the feelings have becoming stronger, and if I don't grab this chance right now I might lose her forever.

"Specky," I called her. She turned and looked at me.

"I know your day has been real shitty, so why don't we end it doing something nice?" I asked.

"Like what?" she asked with a spark in her eyes.

"Let's watch movie in my house. How about we watch The Notebook? Don't you girls love that movie?" I asked. I think I can grab the CD from Aaliyah's room.

"Eww. No," she cringed.

"How about we watch Into the Wild?" she asked.

"What's that? Never heard of that one," I said. Specky and her weird obsessions. Oh, Lord!

"Come on. It'll be fun. Trust me. We can rent it from the video store near our housing area," she suggested with the big smile on her face. Her tears have long disappeared and I didn't want to disappoint her. I agreed mentally reminding myself that it looks like I have feelings for such a quirky, unique girl.

We reached my house and she got out of the car. She looked at the empty and dark house and looked at me.

"No one's at your house?" she asked.

"No. Mom and Daadi stayed at my mom sister's place. Apparently she is not feeling well and needed help. Aaliyah is sleeping over with Tannu. Just me," I said. She gulped and looked at me worriedly.

"What's wrong Specky? Are you scared to stay alone with me?" I asked playfully.

"Will you blame me? Considering your history with your so-called girlfriends!" she shrieked.

"Calm down, honey! Have you seen my long-list girlfriends that you mentioned? They look nothing like you," I said.

"Well I haven't, considering I just moved here three months ago but I think no one like me would even want to go out with you," she said scrunching up her nose.

"Do you still want to watch or not?" I asked slightly irritated.

"Yes. But let me go home first to change into something more comfortable," she said and headed towards her house which is on the next row. What if she finds out from Bulbul that Purab isn't unwell and that's the reason he couldn't make it. I rushed towards her and stopped her from taking steps further.

"You can wear something of Aaliyah's," I said.

"But why? Sides, I need to inform my father that I'll be home a little late," she answered but didn't move.

"Oh, come on. Loosen up for once. I'm sure your father will be fine with you coming home a little late. And you just can't walk home barefoot," I said. She thought for a moment and then took my hand and headed back to my house. As we entered in, she went to Aaliyah's room to change and I went into mine. A few minutes, I heard a knock on my door. I quickly changed my jeans into a flannel pajama pants and put on a white comfy shirt. I opened the door to find Pragya wearing the same clothes.

"Why haven't you changed?" I asked.

"Because all Aaliyah has are these racy and skimpy night dresses. I cannot wear those kind of clothes," she shuddered.

"You want to borrow one of my mother's?" I asked.

"No, I'd rather you poke my eyes with a fork," she answered.

"Okay. Would you wear one of mine? I can assure you are they anything but racy and skimpy," I said. She laughed at first and then stopped when she realized I wasn't joking. Finally after a few minute of silence, she agreed.

I opened chest drawers and got one of my jumpers and cotton sweats that I wore when I was 14. Thank god, my mother isn't the type who threw away clothes that I've outgrown. I gave it to her and she went back to Aaliyah's room to change. I went down and took out few cans of soft drinks and put in the ready-made popcorn into the popcorn maker. I know she loves butter and caramel, so I added extra than I usually do. I brought it out to my room when she got out from Aaliyah's room. Apparently, she took a long shower. I could smell Aaliyah's sweet smelling strawberry shower gel from Pragya. She smiled and helped me to carry the cans and followed me into my room.

"Why can't we watch it downstairs?" Pragya asked. I could sense that she was a little uncomfortable hanging around in my room.

"Well, because only my room has the CD player. Down, we only have the player that play VHS tapes," I said. She made a slight O' and placed the cans on the floor and sat down facing the television. I inserted the disc into the player and took place next to her. Apparently, Into the Wild is a movie about a guy who abandons his social life and gets trapped in the Norwegian of Alaska. I don't really get the movie, but Pragya laughed at lines where it wasn't even funny and sobbed really hard when the guy turned down an offer to be an old guy's grandson. I wasn't even paying attention to the movie. Most of the time I was admiring Pragya. She is definitely passionate at everything she does. Even when she watches movie. There was not once when she even took a glance at me. Her eyes were completely focused on the movie.

"I am in love with the character," Pragya exclaimed after the movie was over. In the end the protagonist died trapped in the woods and she was practically bawling her eyes out throughout that scene.

"Why?" I asked.

"I don't know. I can't explain. All I know is that I love him. Thank you Abhi for letting me watch this movie. I've read the book countless times and wanted to watch the movie adaptation for quite a long time. So, thanks," she said and started to pick up the small bits of popcorn lying on my carpet.

"Hey, leave that. My mom will clean that tomorrow," I said and took her hand.

"But that's not fair. I will clean up the mess I made," she said but I still didn't let go of her hand. She looked into my eyes and gave a small smile. She is wearing back her huge black spectacles, which apparently was in that small purse all along. I can't really read her eyes anymore, now that it shielded by this huge glasses. But still I am having the same effect whenever I look into her eyes. I am loss for words. I am slowly falling for her and it worries me because it seems like she has feelings for someone else. And that happens to be my best friend. I let go of her hand after a few minutes being lost in my own mind. She didn't say anything but quickly grabbed her things and was about to leave the place in such a hurry. I managed to grab her before she flee to downstairs.

"Hey, what's the rush?" I asked.

"I have a few board games if you want to play. Hang out a little while," I said hoping she would stay.

"No, I need to go already. Or else my dad will freak out. You know how overprotective he is. And it's already ten o'clock Abhi. I have something to do tomorrow," she said slowly and tucked her hair behind her ears. Since she so used to always tying her beautiful dark hair into a ponytail or bun, she must feel weird to have her hair dangling all around her face.

"Fine. Let me walk you home, okay," I said.

"It's okay. I can manage it myself. I need some time alone before I return to home. And what better way to spend it than walking alone," she said.

"But, it's late at night. And it can be dangerous, Pragya," I said stubbornly.

"I can take care of myself. And I don't need another overprotective person. I have my dad for that," she said sternly. I didn't want to fight with her so I let her go. Before she went she looked at me and gave a smile that made my heart do this weird roller-coaster turn. She borrowed Aaliyah's slippers as she broke Bulbul's heels just now near the pub.

"Thank you so much for a wonderful night," she said and left me dreaming of her that entire night.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING!😊

TO BE CONTINUED!