AbhiGya SS - No Strings Attached - Chapter 5 & Epilogue - SS Compl - Page 8

Hi guys! This is the final Chapter of the SS (Yeyyy I could pull off an SS and didnt need to turn it into an FF!!) So, I hope you enjoy reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed penning it down for you!😉😉

Annddd Please Please drop in your valuable feedbacks for me!! I Love reading them!! 😳😳😳

Oh! This chapter is huge, like about 7k words! So breaking them in two posts! (Dont worry posting both now!) And it will be followed by a short Epilogue!😃😃

Happy Reading!😳😳

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Chapter 5: The Denouement

Abhi's daadi had gone through a mixed emotion when she came to know about Pragya and Raghav from Purab. True, Pragya deserved happiness more than anyone else she knew, maybe even more than her Abhi, but in the last few weeks when she saw Abhi, she felt he was content from within for some reason. Her Abhi never seemed devastated at Pragya's departure all those years back, it was true - in fact he was with that Tanu always. But now with Pragya around she felt, his happiness back then was somewhere superficial, his true contentment lay in Pragya's company. Her Abhi has laughed a lot in the last four years, but only Pragya's presence could make him smile.

Hence, deep down, even though it was in her subconscious, she had started hoping. Hoping that maybe Abhi and Pragya would reconsider their decisions of the past. She had finally decided to give Abhi a breather from the list of eligible girls she made him visit every other day, so that he could spend a little more time with Pragya - but the morning she decided to tell Abhi that, he had told her that he had chosen someone from the list - Samaira. Well daadi liked Sam. She was an intelligent mix of open mindedness and cultural heritage. She was confident and nurturing, she was the kind of girl who would be able to hold on to Abhi and his unruly lifestyle - now, that was all daadi was seeking for Abhi - someone to take care of him after her - love had come his way, but her grandson was to blind to hold on - now her expectations from Abhi was bare minimal.

Now, Pragya and Raghav's news were the last nails on the coffin. Daadi was silent - she had long since accepted that her Abhi and her Pragya weren't meant to be - had she only not dared to hope again this time, she would have been perfectly happy now. Nonetheless she invited Pragya and Raghav for dinner one evening - she wanted to meet Raghav and see for herself, who the lucky man was.

When Pragya and Raghav arrived at the Mehra Mansion, they were greeted by daadi, Sam, Abhi and to Pragya's surprise, Aaliyah. Pragya went ahead and hugged Aaliyah and greeted her. In all these weeks, and the number of times she had visited this house, she realized, this was the first time she was meeting her, after those four years - Aaliyah, the only person in Abhi's house who knew about Pragya's feelings for Abhi - those four years back.

"Aaliyah, I am so glad that I finally got to meet you. I thought even tonight you will probably not be able to take out time from work."

"Hello Pragya, I know, I have been keeping busy with work, but daadi told me today was special because we will meet your fianc and I thought I shouldn't miss this opportunity. I am very happy for you Pragya." she smiled. Aaliyah was still the same and yet she had changed. She was still cautious and curt towards Pragya, she was still not her friend, but she was her confidant.

That day, all those years back, Pragya had cried softly after the retreating figure of Abhi, when he was going to file their divorce. She had confessed her feelings that day, "Abhi, I am your wife. I love you, you can't leave me for Tanu, for anyone. I can't live without you" He never heard her, but Aaliyah who had come to see how she was doing, had heard her - it wasn't new to her, she had seen this in Pragya's eyes the night before when her brother was taking her for the surprise dinner at Kanheri Caves. She stood there silently until Pragya noticed her and tried to hide her tears. She came into the room and held her shoulders gently.

"Bhabi you are the strong woman I am trying to be, after losing Purab. Be that."

Pragya smiled back at the present day Aaliyah and turned to reach for Raghav's arm. She wanted to introduce Raghav to Aaliyah.

"Aayliah this is my finace --------"

"Raghav Chopra?!?" Aaliyah looked surprised.

"Aaliyah Mehra!! Of course, rockstar Abhi's sister - Abhi/ Abhishesk, how did I not see this" replied Raghav unexpectedly.

"You both know each other?

"Yes, Pragya. Raghav and I were in the same college. He was a senior and a f-friend"

"Yes and when we knew each other, Abhishek was still a struggling singer, so I didn't make the connection - Abhi/Abhishek.."

They sat in the hall with daadi and chatted happily. Sam was talking to Raghav and telling her excitedly about a celebrity case she was handling and how the evidences got manipulated against her client, he was listening closely. Daadi was talking to Abhi and Pragya about their respective wedding arrangements, and Aaliyah was just sitting there, awkward, lost for words, simply sitting there perched on the couch and staring at nothing in particular. Pragya noticed her. She was upset to see this side of Aaliyah's. She was present there, but she was just bodily present. She had kept herself away from socialising with people for so long that she had simply forgotten how to do it now. She wasn't the once confident Aaliyah gliding in the ravish Mehra party's like a warm hostess, today she was a social recluse sitting in a corner making no effort to be comfortable with the people around her. It was almost like she was sitting there, lost in her thoughts- but still sitting because daadi and Abhi didn't allow her otherwise. Seeing her in this state, brought tears in Pragya's eyes - no one deserved so much pain in love.

"Oi Pragya, I know you have over sensitive tear ducts, but at least wait till your wedding ceremony to begin at least - then start shedding tears at the mention of marriage - and if you're planning to flood my house this evening, tell me in advance, I will arrange for a few boats that will sail us to the dining area later!" chuckled Abhi and everyone laughed at an embarrassed Pragya. Abhi had no idea why she was crying.

"Uff Abhi, stop bugging her with your insane humour!" said Sam and came to talk to Pragya, soon she was discussing about the kind of clothes and jewellery she was planning to adorn for her engagement. Daadi was commenting on them too and Pragya was cheerfully trying to participate. Aaliyah made an attempt to turn towards them to pretend to be in the conversation Seeing Raghav free from Sam, Abhi decided to chance upon this opportunity.

"Hey Raghav, the ladies have started their usual small talk, let's go grab a few drinks"

"Sure Abhi"

They took the stairs and went upstairs to the small circular balcony on the first floor landing overlooking the hall below. There they settled in the two arm chairs while Robin served them drinks.

"So, Raghav my man, I have been waiting to meet you ever since Pragya told me about you. Congrats bro."

"Thanks Abhi. And Congrats to you too for Sam. She is a very smart lady"

"That she is, otherwise getting rockstar Abhi to marry her - isn't an easy task" winked Abhi

"Why does she have to get the rockstar to marry her, isn't the rockstar interested in her by himself?"

"It takes a fuggy to unlock emotions within Abhi the rockstar, dude" winked Abhi with a smirk. Abhi couldn't help gloating after giving it right back on his face. It felt good to claim rights on Pragya and verbally accept that he was attracted to her - he loved her. And this Raghav seemed to be too dull for Pragya. He would suit the Pragya of the past perfectly - but this Pragya was carefree, witty and loving at the same time - she was tailor-made for Abhi - not this guy.

Raghav smiled. "Purab and Bulbul have finally finalised on an official name - Ira"

"Ira Khanna. Nice." mumbled Abhi.

"So, how did your and Pragya's story start Raghav?"

"Nothing exotic there. We work at the same uni. Two Indian's, bonded over hunting down Indian restaurants that made good paneer. One thing led to the other and I realized I liked her"

"Nice, but paneer? Pragya hates paneer." Laughed Abhi. Yes one more score up he thought to himself. This silly fool, going to marry her and he doesn't know she hates paneer.

"Well, I would look out for paneer and she would look out for...what's that dish I forgot.."

"Must be Daal Makhni" supplied Abhi indifferently.

"Yes, daal makhni...God knows how she resists paneer though" put in Raghav, eyeing Abhi from the corner of his eyes.

"She is lactose intolerant of course. Didn't you know?" chipped in Abhi, sadistically flaunting his classified information about this man's would be wife.

"She might have mentioned. I missed it. I don't really care" replied Raghav carefully. Now he was setting the bait for Abhi to catch. His indifference towards Pragya irritated Abhi.

"Dude, you better remember this one. She is severely intolerant to lactose. I remember once we went to some restaurant where she had tofu. In a matter of a few minutes she had massive gastric issues and a severe chest pain, she had almost passed out and I had to take her to the hospital. She was had to be injected with immediate medication"

"Hmm.. must have been a rough night for you mate. But I can't bug my head in such small details. She needs to take care of the basics." Replied Raghav closely watching out for his facial expressions which were darkening by the minute.

"Why are you marrying her then?" asked Abhi coldly.

"Well, she is a good trophy wife. Pretty, highly educated, caring, loving. What more does a man need, you say? But you seem very caring, Sam is lucky."

Abhi exhaled deeply. Initially he thought this man was just dull, but now he saw him for what he really was - cold and uncaring. He was marrying her for convenience, he didn't deserve Pragya. Only if he could put it across without making it look like he was jealous and hence trying to hamper her wedding. He didn't want misunderstandings with Pragya again - but at what cost - at the cost of Pragya's happiness? He wasn't sure.

"Bunk me and Pragya, tell me about you and Sam. Honestly, I didn't expect the rockstar to have an arranged marriage"

"That's why I am the rockstar, I always do what people can't imagine me doing."

"Of course. Sam is very passionate about her work I guess, she was telling me about her client Jindal and their case, very interesting. What is your opinion on the case?"

"I don't know. She never mentioned it to me" replied Abhi clearly too impatient to be discussing silly cases. But Raghav clearly remembered his conversation with Sam starting with, "I was telling Abhi the other day about this very interesting case of mine..."

They both were finishing their last drinks when Aaliyah came up to them.

"Bhai, Raghav, daadi is calling you both for dinner downstairs."

As Abhi got up quickly to get away from this hopeless man he hated right now. He excused himself saying he needed to use the wash room. As Aaliyah saw her brother's figure retreating to his bedroom, she slowly turned to face Raghav.

"Raghav, how are you?"

"I am doing great Aaliyah, what about you?" smiled Raghav awkwardly.

"Fine, living on."

"You have changed drastically Aaliyah, I have noticed you all evening from here. You're not the same girl I had once..."

"Time changes everyone Raghav. Who thought after dedicating all your time in college to student councils and politics, years down the line you will be a sober professor?" smiled Aaliyah.

"So, you're married? Engaged?"

"None."

"That is surprising, considering you broke up with me because your brother had chosen his best friend for you and you were getting engaged"

"Yes. Well that didn't happen eventually."

"Why if I may ask? Sorry if I come across as intrusive. I am just curious."

"We were engaged and were in a courtship for a year. But he had fallen in love with someone else."

"And obviously he chose love over his friends commitment - are you sure you had followed his decision of choosing love above everything else?"

"Raghav."

"I am sorry Aaliyah, I didn't want to sound accusing. It's done and dusted with and all in the past"

"No Raghav, I owe you the truth. I owed it to you back then, but I guess with a decade's maturity more, I can explain things better. I know with Pragya in your life, it doesn't matter. But I am on a ride to repentance anyway, so one more burden I will be free of."

"Why did you not stand up for us Aaliyah?" asked Raghav with a hint of a deeply buried hurt.

"Raghav, my love for you wasn't fake. But then you left for Delhi to pursue politics for a year, and around that time bhai chose him for me. He did ask me if I liked anyone else. But he also made it clear that if the man wasn't well established, he wasn't going to give me away. Raghav you must understand bhai - he had undergone a lot of difficulties to give me a comfortable life - he couldn't imagine me with someone who wouldn't be able to cater to my needs. Hence I never told him about you - what would I have told him Raghav? That I loved you and you had no particular career path. That you were struggling to enter politics and nothing had worked out until then? How would you support me? He wouldn't have understood my feelings hence I never told him about you. Then I got engaged to his friend. I didn't have any feelings for him initially. So to avoid him and fix my mind, I had gone off to Australia for a year. By the end of the year, I had come to terms with my past with you. I had learnt to move on and accept my fianc. But Raghav, when I returned, he told me he loved someone else! I couldn't take that blow. I had given up on you for him, and he couldn't walk away from me now. He became my obsession. I lost all my self-restraint to win him, and in the process I was so engrossed in life that I never searched for you. But once all the fervour died down, I won't deny, you do drop in and out of my mind sometimes. And today when we come face to face, you come as that woman's finace whose life I have already destroyed once out of my lack of self-restraint, my ex-bhabi. Karma has strange ways of getting back to you" finished Aaliyah with a long sigh. And the Arora sisters have a strange habit for falling for the men she liked, she thought amused.

Raghav stood there silently as a storm was brewing in his heart. This was the same girl for whom, he never trusted anyone else for years. She was the same woman whom he had hated for a major part of these years, then learnt to forgive and finally forget. Just when he decided to start life afresh with no more expectation then that of companionship's, she re-entered his life and muddled his heart. He slowly walked down to join the rest of the family for dinner, where Pragya was waiting for him - the same Pragya who had loved Abhi at one time, as much as he had loved this woman. And the same Abhi, who is not aware himself, but who loves and cares for Pragya as much as she once did for him.

After the dinner, when everyone left. Aaliyah went back to her room. A single drop of tear escaped her eyes after a very long time. Her one wrong decision (of not telling bhai about Raghav) and turned the wheels of a gigantic karmic cycle, then everything was lost. Abhi after dropping Sam, went quietly to his bedroom and exhaled. Raghav wasn't good for Pragya - he could never keep her happy. But how could he stop this wedding when he knew Pragya chose him - if this was called off, what if Pragya shunned herself from happiness much the same way his Aaliyah had. Abhi was at a loss.

Back at the Khanna's, Pragya went back to her room and thought of Aaliyah and her state - a silent prayer escaped her lips - God please make her smile again. As for Raghav, as he sat in his room and Aaliyah's words echoed in his head, only one thought came - I had chosen Pragya, and now she has accepted me. I can't let her down. And Abhi is late.

Somewhere else in the city, Sam received a text message, "Sam, I am sorry."

PART 2

It was the day of Pragya's marriage registry with Raghav. Pragya was leaving back for the States in another four days. Her vacation was nearing it's end and her and Raghav's family wasn't ready to wait for another year before getting her and Raghav married. Of course, there was no time to set up an elaborate wedding - hence the couple convinced every one of a quick registry and a dinner for the time being. Raghav and Pragya were planning to come back again in another six months and then celebrate their reception with family and friends. As Abhi stood before the mirror with his fists curled in tension, he didn't know how to react. It had been two days since the dinner at Abhi's and no one knew this was coming. Purab had called the night before to inform Abhi. Only daadi, Aaliyah, Abhi were to accompany the Khanna's and Raghav and his sister's family to the registrar's office for the wedding. Was it too late to tell anyone about Raghav's true nature thought Abhi feverently. No, he couldn't sit and watch Pragya take the next step without knowing Raghav's true intention. He had to tell her, and then she could decide.

As Abhi barged into the Khanna's apartment, Purab looked up surprised. "Bhai, you're here so early? We weren't leaving for the registrer until 11am. Anyway come in. And where is daadi and Aaliyah?"

"Purab, I need to talk to Pragya."

"Bhai, what is it about?" Purab looked serious.

"I can only tell her that"

"Bhai. I think we have already gone over that ---"

"Purab, I know. I remember. This is different -just let me talk to her"

Bulbul had walked out of the kitchen to hear their conversation. "Purab, if Abhi wants to talk to di once, just let him nah"

"Bulbul you're not understanding---" started an irritated Purab, but Pragya had walked into the room by then.

"Purab, it's fine, I want to know what Abhi has to say" replied Pragya curiously.

"But di, today you have the registry, why are you meddling in all this - you and bhai can talk tomorrow right?"

"Pragya, I need to tell you something before your wedding" blurted Abhi, looking at Pragya.

"See di. This is why I was saying. And Abhi, no. I told you before, you can't do this again. I will not---"

"What is it Abhi?" Pragya cut across Purab.

"Not here, I want to talk to you privately."

"No bhai, you're pushing me now. I cannot let you harm the interest of my sister one more time!"

"Abhi, please tell me what you want to say in front of Purab and Bulbul." Whispered Pragya.

"Pragya, its about Raghav. He is not right for you --- " began Abhi

"Just shut up bhai. Just shut up!" screamed Purab.

Bulbul came in between them. "Purab, calm down. If di wants to know, we can't stop Abhi. Let him finish please"

"Thanks Bulbul. Yes Pragya, the other day when Raghav and I were drinking at my dinner? We got talking. Pragya he doesn't love you. He doesn't even care for you. He is indifferent of you. He thinks you're his trophy wife. Pragya you had chosen Raghav for finding happiness...is this how you will get it?" questioned Abhi and he was breathing hard.

"Rubbish. Di don't believe him. He is about to do what he has done in the past, he is going to end up ruining your life again" shouted Purab in anger.

"Abhi, what are you saying?" asked Pragya in surprise.

"Yes, chashmish, that is exactly what he told me. Now you tell me chashmish, how will you ever find happiness in life with him? I couldn't let you take such a wrong step, not when I am around. Pragya please reconsider your decision."

Pragya stood there silently, as tears gushed out of her eyes. For her, no one existed in that room other than her and Abhi. It opened doors to uncountable past memories, where Abhi was there to save her. The time when she fell of the bridge and he had saved her, that lecher in the restaurant when he was cozying up to her, how he had protected her. The time the dori of her blouse had come out during Aaliyah's engagement with Purab, how he had protected her, the time when Aaliyah and Tanu had trapped her in the MMS drama, how he had proved her innocent and saved her. These memories were too powerful and after reminiscing them after so many years, it overwhelmed her and she broke down to sobbing. Abhi tried going near her but Purab blocked him. Seeing the tension, Bulbul ran to her and consoled her.

"Okay, let us call up Raghav and clarify this?" opined Bulbul.

When Raghav entered the Khanna mansion, it felt different. It didn't seem as friendly or welcome it always did. He entered the hall to see Purab standing with his hand folded looking out of the window, Pragya sitting on the couch with her face hidden by her palm, Bulbul consoling her and Abhi standing with his hands on his waist. Purab saw him and rushed to him.

"Raghav, you called my di a trophy wife for you?" asked Purab glaring at Abhi. Raghav was taken aback, of all the things he was expecting, this wasn't one. He looked uncertainly at Abhi, but Abhi was looking at Pragya. He smiled, his trick had worked. Finally he will be able to show Pragya, how Abhi truly felt for her - he wanted to give Pragya a chance - he wanted to see if Pragya would consider giving Abhi a chance knowing his true feelings - Afterall Raghav had seen how hopelessly Pragya used to love Abhi at one point of time in life. He wanted to give Pragya a fair chance to reciprocate - he owed her this as a friend.

"Yes I did. I told Abhi that" replied Raghav quietly. Purab gasped and Pragya looked up shocked.

"See Pragya! I told you he doesn't deserve you. You deserved to be loved, to be cared for, this man can't give you that. Don't get me wrong Pragya, but please don't marry him." Finished Abhi breathing heavily.

Pragya stared at Abhi, once more he had ripped her heart apart with his care. His concern, his determination to protect her - these were the reasons she had fallen in love with her knight in shining armour in the first place. And today, when all was lost, why did he still care? Her uncontrollable sobs were back and she couldn't hold on to her rationality any longer. She didn't expect love from Raghav, her expectation was companionship so she didn't mind his statement as much. But Abhi? His care for her tortured her and balmed her at the same time. She got up and she walked across all of them and started leaving from the room. She had taken four years to mend her heart, and one trip to India left her wound open and fresh - this is why she didn't want to come to India, her coming was the mistake she made. Now that she will return, she will not even come back to die in this country thought Pragya. She was sobbing and hurrying past Abhi, when he caught hold of her hand.

"Pragya, why are you going away from here?"

"Because I can't stay here even one minute longer" came her reply in between sobs. Bulbul tried walking towards her but Raghav stopped her.

"Why can't you be here for even a minute longer? If the need be, we will send Raghav away" whispered Abhi bringing his head close to her and speaking soothingly, barely more than a whisper.

"It is not Raghav. Just let me go." Cried Pragya

"Then what is it Pragya tell me, I will sort it for you" whispered back Abhi, tightly holding Pragya and again barely whispering with his head close to her ears.

His soothing voice, so close to her, comforted her. It calmed her nerves and for the first time in years gave her the courage to say something she hadn't said ever before to him.

"It's you. If I stay close to you even for a minute longer...then...then..." whimpered Pragya

"Then?" asked Abhi gently, trying to calm her.

"Then...I will fall in love with you once again...and.." now she was again back to sobbing frantically.

Abhi stood there holding Pragya like a stone. Not emoting, not moving, just still - he had always loved her unconditionally, but she? When did it ever make sense for her to love him? But he said nothing about it. Instead in a cold voice he repeated again, "And..?"

"And you will NOT reciprocate to my feelings..once again" finished Pragya as a fresh bout of tears took over. Bulbul now came in front and gently guided Pragya out of the room, as Abhi stared there numbed in shock. He could not think of anything coherent and his limbs gave in - he crashed onto the couch.

After a moment Purab turned to him and Raghav weakly "Bhai and Raghav, you both have once more successfully broken my di's heart. Raghav by your indifference and Bhai...you want it or not, you always end up being the cause of her grief."

Abhi heard nothing. His mind was stuck at Pragya's word. But Raghav responded. "No Purab, I am not indifferent towards your Pragya di. I care for her too much. And first as a friend then as anyone else. And neither is Abhi the cause of her grief - her heart is broken because her love for Abhi is unreciprocated and Abhi's fault is only that he never told her his true feelings. They both love each other beyond anything else, yet they were separated for years, that was the cause of her grief not me or Abhi."

"Raghav, you don't know bhai as much as I do. He doesn't love di, he has an infatuation for her, if today she is married to you and she leaves, tomorrow he will forget her - he did that last time too. He didn't spend a moment in regret, he was with Tanu! I saw both - in one hand my sister crying like she lost a limb and on the other hand, Abhi getting intimate with Tanu. You think that didn't hurt me? But I tried being a friend to him too, tried understanding his situation too and never told him anything! That doesn't mean I will let him ruin my di'd life one more time Raghav!"

"Abhi doesn't love Pragya - Is that why even after all these years, he remembers every small details of Pragya? Is that why he still knows what her favourite food is, what food she hates, why she hates it? What book she reads when she is upset, how she reacts when she is trying to lie, how she hides her shyness and how she looks when she sleeps? Is that why he remembers all the nicknames he has ever given her? Or is that why he is marrying into a compromise because he knows he can love no one else? Tell me Purab! You call him your brother and you couldn't see it? I have known Abhi for a few weeks now and I can tell that he doesn't think too much about emotions. Did you not consider that maybe he loved her, just didn't realize in good time? Did you give him even one opportunity to go close to Pragya? You didn't. I know it's not your fault - you were thinking as an over protective brother, you're not to be blamed, especially after what has happened to her once - but think Purab - Is your protection helping Pragya or killing her? Maybe Abhi isn't reliable and maybe his love is an infatuation, but Pragya's love for him is true - would you not give her that once chance to live her life in those few days Abhi loves her? She can live all her lifes happiness in that Purab - that is, if Abhi ever stops loving her - and there is also a chance that Abhi loves her as much and will be with her for life - in that case you are stopping Pragya from a lifelong worth of happiness Purab - Is anything worth it? Yes that day I have purposely shown indifference in what I spoke about Pragya to Abhi - but that was because I was checking if he had any feelings for her - he did Purab - and I know how much Pragya loved him - I wanted to give her a fair chance to choose Abhi if she felt, she could reciprocate to his feelings today. Let go of the past Purab, Pragya's happiness lies with Abhi" finished Raghav.

Purab felt weak. He was only trying to protect Pragya di's happiness. Ever since he was married to Bulbul, he was the man of the Arora family too. He had taken everyones responsibility. He was protective towards everyones interest - he had stopped Abhi because he was looking out for Pragya di - it came to him naturally - taking decisions on their behalf, they were family - but today he felt, he had just dominated them - that wasn't his intention. He just wanted his di's happiness.

Bulbul read his expression and came to him. She silently hugged him and gently spoke in his ears. She told him she loved him, and he has never been oppressive to anyone in her family. She has been the matured and responsible son their family never had. No one thought he did anything to harm anyones interest. Everyone in her family would still want Purab to be their son and brother and take care of them. Then she added, maybe it was time, she shared the responsibility with Abhi too. She told him that she knew her sister well and she always knew that maybe Pragya had moved on, but she would never be able to love anyone. Now if her luck improved and the love of her life, loved her too, they shouldn't stop them. Purab finally understood. He turned to Abhi.

"Bhai, I am sorry. I should have realized myself, all that Raghav just said. Take care of my di."

Bulbul came brightly beside him and added, "Go Abhi, di is waiting upstairs for you."

***

He opened the door, and saw her sitting by the window on a stool. Her head was resting on the window glass and tears were incessantly running down her cheeks and occasionally a sniff was shaking her entire fragile body. She was fragile, and she had survived long enough without protection - his protection - her true protector's protection. But now things were going to change for life.

He entered the room and she slowly looked up. She wiped her own tears and stood up uncertainly. Abhi gently took her hands in his and gently placed a kiss on her fingers. She looked startled, and a single word escaped her mouth "Abhi.."

He looked up at her enquiringly and raised an eyebrow questioningly. When she didn't respond, he went close to her and gently placed a light kiss on her forehead. She gasped and he automatically gave a coy smile.

"So fuggy...you love me?"

"I...I" she stammeremed, "I..am ot fuggy now. Fuggy is fuggy"

"Hmm..too many fuggy's can spoil the broth. Ok chashmish then?"

"I don't wear... specs anymore.." she replied in a self-conscious whisper.

"That is one thing I am planning to change about you. We'll have to get you used to in specs again" he murmured into her ears now as his hands slowly grabbed her waist. Somehow Pragya was incomplete without her ancient binoculars. Even though she now looked ravishing in her new wardrobe and lens, Abhi still preferred the specs over the lens - he didn't care about the wardrobe, cloaks or trendy clothes, they never really defined her.

"Now, so, chashmish...you love me?" he asked again, this time his lips almost touched her ear lobes. An electric ran down her spine.

"Abhi..Abhi I know that..." But Abhi cut across.

"No chashmish, you don't know anything..did you know I love you too?" he whispered and then placed a gentle kiss in the nape of her neck. This time she shot up an extremely perplexed look at him.

"I think you're making a mistake here Abhi, you never----" but she couldn't continue further, as he had placed a soft kiss on her nose. It was their age old protocol - the nose-button protocol.

"I think, I am not making any mistake here at all. I think I have loved you ever since the time I came to know you were the innocent girl who was not guilty of any crime, and I had married her to avenge my sister's distress. My love for you have only grown since then, but I was a fool to see it myself. I thought it was Tanu, but it was always you chashmish"

"Uff aap nah, in the middle of all this also you have take that flour beetle's name?" asked Pragya with a cute pout. Abhi laughed. This was the happiness he was looking for - and it only came when Pragya was in between his arms.

"Sorry baba. Acha where was I? Yes. Pragya I agree, through out the time we were in the marriage together, I never felt I loved you. But after you left, I know not when, but I fell in love with all your memories. But never understood that too. I had infact moved on in life. But...but then you came back and my long subdued feelings only found utterance when Raghav came into the picture. It is then that I really saw my feelings for you, I realized I loved you always, I loved you when you were with me in the past, when you weren't around me and today when you are here so close to me."

"Don't you think you are a bit slow rockstar? I mean, who takes five years to figure out he loves someone?" laughed Pragya softly.

"Four years chashmish! And to think you were hitched to a mathematical economics professor!"

"Five rockstar! I am counting from the time I fell off from that bridge, during your adshoot. I was thinking, had I fallen on you head instead of your arms, would it have helped you process your feeling faster in your head? Chuckled Pragya.

"Don't act smart chashmish! Now tell me you love me" teased Abhi.

"Acha, who told you that I love you? I had said, if I stand here even one minute more THEN I WILL fall in love with you again. But I never stayed that extra minute nah" and she was laughing again.

"Acha?-----" but he couldn't complete, as something from the buggy next to them started crying loudly. Both looked startled to see little fuggy peeping at them. They had completely forgotten she was around.

Pragya quickly went and picked fuggy up and cradled her in her lap. Abhi looked at the little fuggy staring at him and sucking her thumb. "What fuggy beta, you had your massi's attention for almost four weeks now! And I haven't had her attention in years, chal lets negotiate a little" Pragya just laughed at Abhi and turned around to face him. But he was standing so close to her that once she turned, his chin brushed her head. They stood still for a second and then their eyes met. He slowly bend down a little and claimed her lips into his. He was gently tugging at her lips till she gave him access into her mouth. It was a slow and deep kiss, and not to mention an uncomfortable one for Abhi, as little fuggy was still in Pragya's lap and she taken a liking towards Abhi's dogtags. As he kissed her he felt occasional tugs at his dogtags, then an occasional poke on his neck and to conclude he felt, a warm gushing liquid all over his tshirt. There, that was where their first ever kiss ended. Abhi promised himself, that when fuggy grew up, he will be the one to catch her with her first boyfriend on their first date and bully them! And Pragya just laughed uncontrollably at Abhi's misfortune.

***

Pragya and Abhi held hands and came down with little fuggy. They hugged everyone around and Pragya specially apologized to Raghav. Abhi went ahead and hugged him.

"Raghav, bro I can never repay your debt of knocking some sense into my Purab here. I owe you one" he chuckled. Purab looked embarrassed.

"Don't worry Abhi, I think we can get even. There is a way, I will tell you in a few days" replied Raghav with a mischievous smile.

Then someone from behind joined them. "Congratulations Abhi! Congratulations Pragya!" The turned to see Sam standing at the hall entrance. Abhi's smile faltered, but Sam's didn't. She came forward and hugged Abhi.

"Listen Sam, I am really sorry about this"

"Shut up! In fact thank you Abhi!" she hugged Pragya now!

"Maybe you can tell me why you are so ecstatic at the idea of Abhi not marrying you?" asked Pragya surprised.

"Arre, clearly Pragya, she is in shock!" replied Abhi knowledgably.

"Shut up Abhi!" scolded Pragya

"No no he can say whatever he wants! It's just that, had you guys not been together, I had to actually break the news of leaving Abhi. You both just made life easier for me!" Sam replied enthusiastically.

"And why exactly would you have dumped me?" asked Abhi with an irked ego. Even though everyone was laughing, he didn't find it funny anymore!

"Arre buddu! I love someone else! I had a bad fight with him, and agreed to marry you in rebound. But that day after dinner at your's he texted me and apologized. We have met yesterday, now that he is back in town and everything is sorted..so I will marry him!" piped in Sam happily.

"Acha, who is this dude who was trying to woo the rockstars fiance?" asked an irritated Abhi.

"Arre his name is Shabbir. Shabbir Ahluwalia. He is an actor. I have been in love with him for four years now. But this was a bad fight. Thank God it's sorted now!"

"What, you were about to dump me for an Aloowala?" asked Abhi in dismay, and to his dismay everyone in the room shouted at him , "ABHIII".

"Okay okay, tell Shabbir, he is a lucky guy!" said Abhi.

"Thanks Abhi" beamed Sam.

"Tell him he is lucky because, even rockstar ABhi found his love today, else I would have shown him!" chuckled Abhi.

They all laughed, when Purab pointed out, "Guys maybe we should inform Ma and Daadi. They are at the Chembur house decorating and cooking for the feast tonight!"

"Let's not tell them, let's surprise them. If we tell them and they aren't happy about it, then tonights dinner is going to taste bad for us all! So lets surprise them - they are happy or sad, dinner will taste good!" laughed Abhi and everyone joined in!

Epilogue: Tying all Knots

Abhi and Pragya are accepted by her ma and daadi (after a fair bit of coaxing and emotional blackmail by Purab, Bulbul Abhi and Abhi's daadi). Raghav as promised, told Abhi how to get even, and he gladly got Aaliyah and Raghav married. They had all gone and attended Sam and Shabbir's wedding (Shabbir was a decent guy, but he really liked to copy Abhi's style a fair bit!). A few years down the line there were many miniatures running around the house and tormenting Abhi's daadi. There was Chief Commander Fuggy, followed by Captain Adi and his twin Captain Yug, and there was also their youngest crew member Lieutenant Kavya, but she was too small to join them yet. But Aaliya bua had promised that next year when they came to India, even Kavya would join their mission - "Mission Badi Daadi ko Satao"

Originally posted by: -mina-

RES

UNRES

AMAZING AAFRAH!!!

loved the emotional ride, all the high octane confrontations. and i'm soo glad it was aalu!! i was hoping it would be when you said not a square. and i literally slapped my desk and started laughing aloud (office empty thankfully 😳) when sam's lover's name was revealed. PERFECT. oh an amazingly fun read, you've done a fantastic job. thank you so much for this story!!

and the scene with fuggy and dogtags was so dreamy! and the epilogue, d'aawww!!

yay!!! hurrah for finishing up a great piece of work!! 👏

oh yeah and pragya's line before she ran off - a tribute to yeh jawaani hai deewani or an accident? either way, powerful moment 😃