Hello people!! Here is Chapter 4! I hope you like this one too!
(Keeping my fingers crossed! 😆😆) And I read comments
where I have been asked who plays the role of Raghav. He is
Sriti's co-actor from her previous soap - his characters name
was Raghav Chopra (Actor - Harshad Chopra) - so here is a
little JPG that shows are the character and their current pairs
Happy Reading! And please do keep commenting on this!
Your comments are the catalysts that help me write faster! 😊😊
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Chapter 4: Permutation and Combination
"Mrs. Chopra?" repeated Abhi as he walked in with Purab from the door. Bulbul just went ahead and hugged Abhi first before saying,
"Yes Abhi, our soon to be Mrs. Chopra. - Mrs. Pragya Raghav Chopra! Di has agreed for the marriage!"
"Oh, that's...that's..I mean that's g-good news Bulbul!" smiled Abhi uncertainly. "Congratulations Pragya" croaked Abhi. "Oh, me and Samaira, Pragya and Raghav" thought Abhi to himself.
So Sam (Samaira) was right, she wanted privacy, that's why she had declined his offer to hang out with him and Sam. So who was this Raghav, and how did she conjure him out of thin air? Was he a good guy? He must be, Sarla aunty, Purab and Bulbul all seem excited. Purab wouldn't relax unless he already had a 360 degree scan report of this guy. Maybe he could ask him? And what was this uncomfortable feeling in his chest? Maybe he should reduce his cardio exercise a little, age is catching up!
As the ladies of the house huddled to the kitchen to make breakfast and gossip, the two men were left to manage little fuggy! Purab was playing with fuggy in the buggy and Abhi was watching them lost in his thought. Should he confront Pragya and find out if she chose Raghav out of some kind of pressure? But why would she own up even if she did, before him? Well, he had shared Tanu's secret, she had to share this one to be even. But would Pragya comply? And what if she asked who was Abhi to ask her this? Did he have a reply? No asking Pragya wasn't a great option. He should find something out of Purab himself.
"Purab, this Raghav guy----"
"---Is a very decent chap and is perfect for Pragya di Abhi! Here come see this new trick our fuggy learnt." finished Purab a bit deliberately. His point was noted, all queries on Raghav were closed for Abhi.
When Pragya served breakfast to all, she got a text message. Abhi looked up to see her smiling softly at the screen - since when did Pragya's smile irritate him? And what was so funny that she was smiling - silly senior fuggy! Like maasi like niece - both smile without reasons!
"Ma, I need to visit Raghav's once in sometime. His sister wants to meet me once before coming in the evening. Purab can you drop me after breakfast?"
As Bulbul teasingly made a "uuhh-huhhh" sound and came to hug her di, her smile suddenly faltered, "But di, today morning Purab and I need to take fuggy to the child specialist! Di...how will you..."
"It's okay Bulbul, I will take a cab."
"But di, you don't even know the way, you can't ---"
"Don't worry Bulbul, I will drop her!" said Abhi. It was a brilliant way to get some answers out.
"No bhai, don't worry. Bulbul let's cancel today's appointment and get it for next week? Then I will go and drop di"
"Absolutely not Purab, we are not compromising with fuggy. I am sure Pragya wont want that either would you Pragya?" asked Abhi with a concerned face.
Even though after yesterday, Pragya was reluctant to go with Abhi, she didn't want fuggy's doctor's appointment cancelled. She mumbled, "Absolutely Abhi. Yes, Abhi will drop me then."
Purab didn't argue further, but he knew it was too early a stage in Pragya di and Raghav's relation. He didn't want Abhi lurking around. Having known Abhi from his childhood, he could sense a change in his behaviour towards Pragya from the time they met this time- it wasn't good news for Pragya di, Raghav and even Samaira!
***
"Whistling while driving - bad habits die hard isn't it?" laughed Pragya, while sitting in the car next to Abhi as he drove. When they were around others, their equation was awkward nowadays. No one seemed to be talking about anything other than Samaira and Raghav from yesterday. But here in the car, with Samaira and Raghav temporarily silenced, she seemed to feel a little more relaxed.
"Old habit's don't die at all. You just learn to control the yearn in due course of time" replied Abhi.
"Wow, not bad rockstar Abhi. Quite deep for the man who writes songs like Happy Love, Disco Girl or Sexy Kalakar!' sniggered Pragya.
"Not bad Pragya, for a woman who never likes my songs, but knows the titles of my latest songs!" replied Abhi coldly.
"Yeah, Bulbul keeps playing them ---"mumbled Pragya embarrassed. It was true, Abhi's albums were in continuous loops in the Khanna's music system. Bulbul loved them, and they were only spared when fuggy sleeps. In time, she came to know them by heart, and learnt to hum a few lines too.
"Abhi, are you in a bad mood?"
"Not at all, in fact was thinking about what to buy for Sam's friend - the one we are meeting for the movie - the plan where you ditched me for Raghav"
"Sorry Abhi woh - as you know now, I was a bit apprehensive about how today will turn out to be. How would my family react, how would Raghav's sister react, hence. But I can still make up for ditching you today, why don't you and Sam come home in the evening for dinner? Then you can meet Raghav too!"
As much as Abhi didn't want to accept the invitation, he actually did want to accept it and he did. "Sure, sounds good, I would like to meet this friend of yours", "And how do you know him?"
"He is a professor in my university. I know him ever since I joined Stanford."
There was something about his nonchalance when they were discussing about Pragya's love interest that made Pragya feel depressed. Did she want to see jealousy in his eyes? Of course she didn't. And was he right in sounding happy but detached? Of course he was right. Then why did the unuttered words from Abhi sound like blaspheme to her? Did she still expect that he would care? Of course he does care, but Raghav was a good guy, hence he has no objections. But would she have felt better if he objected? True he never loved her, but concern? Couldn't he even show concern for her choice of men? Could he not ask a few deliberate questions about Raghav? Even that was better than his indifference. Why did she want to see Abhi..a little hurt maybe? She hated herself for being such a sadist.
Inside that car, more words were uttered within the heart than between them. If one didn't have access to their thoughts, it seemed like a regular conversation. Even if one had access to any one of their hearts, then the responses of the other would seem casual - isn't that exactly how both felt? One needed to see what they both thought to understand and identify that one seed that still lay deeply buried within their hearts - fiercely protected by them - that is the seed that had the potential to bloom into their love for each other.
"Abhi, you can stop here, it is in this lane, I will walk it from here" she didn't want to come to her future in-laws house for the first time with her ex-husband by her side.
"It's okay Pragya, I will drop you there"
"Thank you Abhi, but you have already dropped me" out of your life a long time back. Pragya finished half the sentence in her mind.
Abhi looked at her, he seemed to be trying to understand if her last statement was an intended pun or not, but she never clarified, he never asked. He just nodded silently once and drove by. Suddenly the air around him was hard to breathe in.
***
It was evening, everyone was traditionally dressed and were waiting at the Khanna's hall room. Pragya was made to wear a teal colored salwar suit with a deep magenta broad sequined piping. She hated being dolled up, but she had to give in to her mother's emotional speeches and Bulbul's pressure. So after an hour of decking her up in a salwar, kammez and dupatta, and doing her hair till Bulbul felt she looked perfect, all seemed to be happy with the end result. So, here she was sitting with the rest of her family awaiting Raghav.
"Hey Prof! We are almost there, are you ready for this?"
"Hey Raghav! Yes, I think I am. Just a little fidgety with all the traditional drapes and the attention"
"Don't worry, hold on to your nerves till I arrive. We sure can sail through this together!"
"Oh Raghav, Abhi and his fianc is also coming. Hope you're okay with that?"
"Sure, I always wanted to see the rockstar in person! :P"
As the doorbell rang, and Purab hurried to get the door, Pragya felt her heart thud against her ribcage. Did she take the right call? Did she take the decision in a hurry? She was having the same feeling one has when the waves retreat back to the sea and pulls away the sand beneath the feet of the bystanders. She tried pacifying herself - her decision was right, it had to be this way someday or the other. It was Raghav - the same Raghav who knew every emotion she has ever gone through ever since she left Abhi. And inspite of being her, Raghav loved her - he was different. As for Abhi, he never loved her, neither when she was the so called "behenji" in his life, nor today when she wasn't one. Changed or not, however she was, she always got Abhi's neglect. As she was going through her personal dilemma, she saw Raghav enter the hall. He was wearing a black polo tshirt and a pair of deep blue denims. His hair was dishevelled, and with that he looked different - somewhat less formal and professor like. Otherwise she was used to his neatly trimmed stubble and carefully combed hair giving him a distinguished look.
"Hello Prof! How are you?" greeted Raghav fondly and came ahead and gave her a casual side hug. Purab smiled at that and Bulbul cooed from behind. Pragya smilingly returned the hug and turned to introduce Raghav and his sister to the family. Raghav - there was something about his presence, it always made Pragya feel comfortable and at ease. Her worries reduce in his presence - there is always this assurance around him, that told her not to woory, he would take care of it. Pragya never felt that way around Abhi - there was no stability in life with Abhi. Abhi was the wrong profile for her, yet Abhi, inspite of his hundred follies had captured Pragya's heart in a way Raghav never could. But Pragya was old enough to realize that sometimes companionship mattered more than love, to lead a healthy life.
As they sat in the hall and chatted, Pragya saw that Raghav was getting along reasonably well with all. He chatted with daadi, let her mother stuff him with food, teased Bulbul and gelled well with Purab - what more did she need? Nothing - and that she knew was a lie. She needed Abhi here now, she needed Abhi to like Raghav, it would boost her confidence - he needed to see them side by side to tell herself that Raghav was the better man for her - anyhow she needed him here right now.
"Hey, where are you stuck? The shagun ceremony will start! Come soon - Pragya" Pragya found herself text messaging Abhi. Then she kept glancing at her phone, but no reply came. She was starting to get worried when no response came in an hour. The shagun ceremony was over, Sarla had given Raghav a ring and Raghav's sister had given her an extremely beautiful diamond neckpiece. Pragya had started debating whether to call Abhi or not, soon it would be dinner time. She was just about to call, when his response came.
"Hey, so sorry, got caught up with Sam here at a party. Hope you have fun! Congrats from me and Sam! I will meet Raghav some other time! - Abhi"
As Pragya read and re-read the same message about a dozen of times with disappointment plastered on her face, Purab came to her and took her phone away casually and motioned her to come join them at the dinner table. He told her that it was her special day and she shouldn't serve food that night. She should sit with Raghav and his sister and enjoy!
As Pragya sat there in between Raghav and his sister, she tried very hard to stop the treacherous tears that were threatening to come out. She couldn't cry here tonight - her tears would bring questions in the mind of her dear ones and also Raghav's sister and her husband. She knew Raghav would understand, but she couldn't put his sister through the mess she was.
"Hey Prof! You okay? You seem a bit off." whispered Raghav casually in her ears so that only she can hear.
"it's nothing Raghav. Just that, it's a big step for me.."
"Don't worry Pragya, this was the last big step you took alone Pragya, from hereon I will be by your side in every step you take - that I promise"
"Thank You Raghav." smiled a teary Pragya.
"Acha Prof, wasn't the rockstar coming tonight? Where is he? Did you forget him?"
Raghav's question was innocent, but it tugged on to that small hollow inside her, that had ruptured into a giant one by now.
"No, I haven't forgotten him. (I cannot either, not one more time) And he isn't coming"
"Aah. Didi will be disappointed, she was looking forward for an autograph" chuckled Raghav.
***
"Di, the shagun ceremony wrapped up nicely hasn't it?
"Yes"
"Di, Raghav is..oops I mean Raghav jiju is a very nice guy. He will keep you very happy. I am glad you chose him di!"
"Thanks"
"Di, are you okay? I have been noticing that you're not paying attention to anything I am saying. Is everything alright?"
"Don't worry Bulbul, everything is alright. I just have a bit of a headache. The AC in this room is very strong. Can you ask Purab to sleep with you tonight? Then I will move to that guest room."
"Sure, di. But do you want me to get you something before you go?"
"No thanks Bulbul. You stay with fuggy, I will go there and send Purab."
As Pragya explained the nights sleeping arrangement to Purab, he left for his bedroom, and Pragya was about to enter the guest room, when Purab came back to return Pragya her phone.
"Di, here is your phone, sorry I forgot to return it"
"Thanks Purab Goodnight!"
As Purab turned to leave, Pragya's eyes fell on her phone. She had received a text from an unknown number, it read:
"Hey Pragya, just wanted to know if Abhi is at your place. - Sam"
The text was received some two hours back. It startled Pragya. "Abhi isn't with Sam at the party? Then why did he not come?" mumbled Pragya to herself.
"Di, because I asked him not to" came Purab's swift reply. Pragya turned around in shock.
"But why Purab? I had invited him and Sam. He wanted to meet Raghav"
Purab, ever since he realized what was brewing from Abhi's side - he was at a fix. On one hand was his childhood best friend come brother Abhi, who had a golden heart but with him raged his unsureness. And on the other was his sister Pragya di, who couldn't afford to have another heart break. Purab had been wth Abhi the entire time when Pragya wasn't there - he knew Abhi never missed her. It was Abhi's momnetary weakness. Once Pragya moved back to the States, he would forget her again. His di needed more than that - she needed someone who will hold her hand for life and Abhi wasn't that man - that he had proved in the past. But the bond of brotherhood stopped him from using foul words against Abhi, hence he decided to twist the truth before Pragya.
"Di, Abhi is happy with Sam. And you should be with Raghav whom you chose yourself. Don't let him cross your path so many times di. You will end up hurting yourself one more time. And this time, along with you, even Sam and Raghav will be hurt. Goodnight"
***
"Bhai, di told me she has invited you and Sam. Bhai please don't come over tonight at my place. Di has taken an important decision in her life. Please don't confuse her with your games. I know you have developed a soft corner for her, but even you know it's temporary bhai. Please don't be the reason of another one of her indecision in life. I hope you understand. Once the rishta is fixed you are more than welcome to join in our happiness. Please try and understand bhai"
"I do Purab. I won't come."
It was almost dawn, Abhi was still sitting on the bonnet of his car and sipping his beer, as flashes from the past kept playing in his head. Flashes he had so mercilessly blocked. Why? - Because of his sense of fair play. His memories took him back to that once upon a night at Kanheri Caves, where he had broken the news of their divorce. He didn't ever understand why she sounded so dead hearing about her job at Yale. Between the two of them, he was supposed to be nursing his heart, but why was she so vacant?
He was upset because he had started to feel something for her, he was attracted to her, she attracted him like the way the wind attracts dry leaves - not knowing where they are going they simply flow in the wind and get dispersed - that was his story too - he knew not when, but he had fallen for chashmish. But chashmish? How could he ever expect her to reciprocate? After the series of disaster's he ran on her, he stood no chance - still he would have told her his feelings, if there existed no Tanu. Abhi had already pledged his heart to Tanu - and where was Tanu's fault in all this? He couldn't ditch her. Moreover he felt Pragya was trapped in this marriage that gave her no happiness and there was no way out for her - he wanted to release her from his prison - he wanted to set her free - how much ever it cost him he was ready. He set her free and she was gone, she never contested his decision - how he wished she would - how he wished she would say just once, "No Abhi, I have a greater right on you than Tanu. I am your wife! I won't go." But she was silent and "Abhi" had become "Abhishek". He let her go thinking he was doing justice to Tanu. And Tanu repaid him with her abortion. He was a broken man then - but he slowly revived, for his daadi, for his Aaliyah, for his own self. And just when life seemed to have fallen back on track, and he had come out of his past stronger - she flew back into his life and changed the game. He thought he was over her, she was just a passing phase in the past - but he is grossly mistaken. Here she was and all his dormant feelings slowly started creeping out of the chest of his heart. And here she was, as indifferent as ever - he was nothing more than an acquaintance in her life now. She had moved on because she never loved him, but he never could, because even all those years back, Abhishek Prem Mehra was in love with his chashmish.
And Purab thought he was playing games to confuse Pragya. No he never did, he never will. If her happiness lies with Raghav, Abhi will ensure that Pragya became Mrs. Raghav Chopra, come what may.
Edited by aafrah - 10 years ago
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