ok so this drabble did not come out as i wanted! i want to revisit the idea, with more of a pure focus on pragya's response to this "discovery," and with different contexts for abhi's past relationships/explorations... but this is what i came up with for now, hope you guys enjoy 😃
DRABBLE: THE STRANGER
*abhigya at a restaurant, eating in silence*
*daadi sent them for a romantic dinner*
*of course there's no romance, but at least they're both enjoying their food and abhi's enjoying his wine*
*suddenly a really hot guy approaches their table*
*like, really, really hot*
*pragya is a little dazed, taking in his tall, lean figure, his dark eyes and dark hair and wicked smile, his perfect face and his dapper clothes...what a dreamboat!*
*abhi snaps angrily: YOU?!*
*pragya is startled by his tone and frowns at him*
*the stranger just laughs and says: yes, hello Abhi! it's been too long! and this here is Mrs. Abhi? pleased to meet you!*
*the stranger takes pragya's hand and kisses it, pragya blushes*
*abhi looks like he wants to swipe pragya's hand away but he restrains himself. he says to the stranger: i thought you were in new york?*
*the stranger: well, yes, but i'm visiting for a few weeks. thought i'd look you up, but i guess you're busy since you got married?*
*abhi: yes. very busy. too busy for you.*
*pragya: abhi! don't be rude. she turns to the stranger and asks: would you like to join us?*
*abhi: no!*
*pragya glares at abhi but it doesn't affect him*
*the stranger says in a friendly way: oh, not tonight. but i would love to join you two another time. later.*
*abhi growls: gaurav...!*
*pragya smiles at gaurav to make up for abhi's bad manners. she says: that would be lovely. i'll look forward to it.*
*gaurav smirks at abhi. he says to pragya: oh, so will i! until we meet again, then?*
*pragya smiles at him*
*gaurav returns the smile. he raises an eyebrow at abhi, who just glares at him. nonetheless he leans in and kisses abhi's cheek before he leaves.*
*gaurav whispers to abhi: don't be like that old friend. just think of all the fun we could all have together.*
*abhi answers in a fierce undertone: i don't share my wife. not even with you, so stop thinking about it.*
*pragya wonders what they're talking about and why abhi looks so annoyed and why gaurav's eyes suddenly widened in surprise*
*gaurav straightens up and says in a normal tone of voice: oh, is that how it is? then i'm glad. you deserve to be happy. i hope you two have a long happy married life together.*
*pragya smiles at this kind remark. abhi just looks at gaurav through narrowed eyes that scream "get lost"*
*gaurav finally leaves*
*pragya turns to abhi and demands: why were you so rude to him! it seems like he's an old friend of yours, and you couldn't even spare him a smile?*
*abhi snaps: he's my ex*
*pragya asks in confusion: your ex-what?*
*abhi rolls his eyes and says: haaaye chashmish sometimes i forget how conventional you are. he's my ex-boyfriend.*
*pragya bristles at being called conventional, even though she is. then she realizes what he's just said, and what it means about his...preferences. and she's surprised because she's never thought about that possibility. but then she looks him over and realizes she shouldn't be surprised. and she's definitely not going to give him the satisfaction of playing outraged conventional wife!*
*pragya scolds: so? that doesn't mean you should be so rude to him! he was being polite, you could be polite too.*
*abhi is surprised that this is what she has to say, but he's also annoyed about being scolded. abhi insists: he was NOT being polite! i know you're too naive to understand this chashmish, but he was propositioning us.*
*pragya: what? he was just greeting us. oh wait you mean - when he said, "later"?*
*abhi: yes.*
*pragya is blushing...but also thinking about the whole scenario...and without even realizing it she says: well that could be fun...*
*abhi: WHAT*
*pragya: what what?*
*abhi: chashmish are you thinking - stop! stop thinking about him right now!*
*pragya: why? you would be there too naa?*
*pragya bites her lip and meets his eyes...she's not serious but at the same time the idea intrigues her, and she's enjoying his mixed up reaction*
*abhi: no! no way, never, not even for a minute, do you understand? no third parties. ever. ever!*
*pragya rolls her eyes: ok, whatever rockstar. gosh, you'd think you'd like the idea, since your taste is so comprehensive? or is it just because it'd be me?*
*abhi: of course because it's you! you're my wife!*
*pragya: and?*
*abhi: and i won't share you!*
*pragya: that's...almost flattering. but utterly unfair, since i have to share you with tanu. and i don't know why we're even talking about sharing, as if we have a physical relationship to begin with.*
*abhi is overwhelmed by this conversation and can't handle any more of this discussion for now*
*abhi declares: just finish eating, chashmish!*
*pragya pouts but goes back to her food*
*abhi's mind is awhirl...he knows gaurav was just teasing, but chashmish actually seems to take the idea seriously? that is very worrying but also kind of hot? who knows what other ideas this inscrutable chashmish might enjoy? maybe he should stop wasting his time with tanu and start getting to know his wife better...because right, of course, he can't share what he's never had...*
Anupamaa
Music Corner
622