Right off the bat: I got an idea in my head this morning and wrote it down straight away. I'm throwing caution to the wind because this is not edited or proofread. You may find it hard to read, and I apologize for that, but since I really wanted to upload it straight away, I wrote this down in a interview transcript format. Or something like it. Easier, faster, and with considerably less effort. Please don't peg me as lazy 😛 I realize I arrived late to the party but I'm pretty much hooked on KKB and I will go down with the Abhigya/Prabhi ship.
Here goes nothing!
Interviewer (I)
Abhishek Prem Mehra (A)
Pragya Mehra (P)
I: Abhi, it's great to have you join us!
A: Happy to be here.
I: It's been, what, four years since we last had you here. You were just wrapping up your tour then.
A: Oh yeah, yeah.
I: So, what's been happening since then? What made Abhi four years ago different to Abhi now.
A: *low whistles* Where do I start?
I: *cheeky grin* Well. there's been this rumour"
A: Oh ho! You're making this too easy. Aren't you supposed to fake interest in my music or my latest business venture or whatever before you start digging up my personal life? C'mon, man!
I: *clears throat* Uh, yeah, sorry about that. We receive a lot of tweets from viewers begging us to.. you know..
A: Yeah. That's alright. So, you were saying?
I: Your latest single "After You"..
A: Yes.
I: Is it about what happened to you and your wife"
A: What the hell, I told you"
I: *immediately cuts Abhi off* It makes a person wonder if the song has anything to do with your own experiences. The lyrics are so haunting, so bleak. There's some depth into it, and it's worlds apart from your usual lyrics and style. It's not so easy to look pass it, especially with all the news surrounding you these past few months.
A: I.. *looks away* Every song has a meaning.
I: Then can you tell us a bit about your song's backstory?
A: *heaves a sigh* I know you people are just gonna twist my words so I might as well tell you everything. It's.. Well, it first started 17 months ago. A person I hold very dear to my heart decided to give up on our relationship. I guess it's unfair of me to say that, since I never made any effort in the first place, but I can't help feeling hateful for the decision she made. She was, how do you say it, she was not who I chose to be with. Okay, true, at first, I loathed her. How could I not? Her presence was a reminder of my sister's pain and betrayal. In my eyes she was the villain, the witch, and I played Prince Charming- I was her victim and I did everything to make sure she takes all the blame.
*stares unseeingly down at the floor*
God, how awful I was towards her. I made her life hell, as simple as that. Sometimes, when freedom is snatched away from your grasp, you can't help feeling like a caged animal- lashing out at whoever tries to get near you. I was constantly agitated at the situation, there wasn't a day where I didn't curse my bad fortune, and in the end my way of retaliation was to hurt and maim whoever was in direct contact of me. Surprise, surprise, it was always her. She was always on the receiving end of my bitterness and denial. You know, I was good at masking my frustration, to the world I look like same old happy, goofy Rockstar Abhi, but inside I just wanted everything to go away and leave me be. Including her.
I: That's awful.
A: *chuckles humourlessly* Yeah, you have no idea.
I: So, you still feel the same?
A: What? No! If I could turn back time.. I.. *looks at the interviewer unwaveringly* I wake up every single day wishing I didn't. Wishing I didn't have to wake up and not see her there.
I: *tries to muffle gasp*
A: You know the saying "you don't know what you got till it's gone"? Well, I always knew what I had, even before I started having feelings for her. Even when we bickered and teased and, heck, even insulted, I felt that she was mine to bicker, tease and insult. I remember her giving as good as she gets. That's what makes her so f*cking amazing. I've never met anyone quite like her. *smiles softly*
I: And now that she's gone?
A: You all can laugh at me for saying this but I still feel her. Yes, to me she was this presence, she still is, even when she's not here beside me because that's how annoyingly alive she is. She isn't some..some.. wavering presence or whatever. She bulldozed, yes bulldozed, right into my life and demanded a permanent place to make it her home. And that she did. I didn't want her at first, I tried telling myself that, I told her that, but then there was like this slow awakening. I realize now that she's not just someone I want, she's someone I need. So, yeah, she's still a presence in my life but what I truly need, what I crave is her presence in person. Her solid presence. I need her fingers to fill the spaces between mine. I need her to tell me off when I leave the bathroom light still on. I.. okay, you get what I mean.
Look.. *hunches over with his elbows on his knees* Look, I don't expect her to forgive me, I never really begged her forgiveness. I don't think I deserve her forgiveness. It's been over a year since I last saw her. And if it's going to take more years, so be it. Some might think this is my way of gaining sympathy or it's a publicity stunt or whatever but, truthfully, I just don't care anymore. I have this long, long list in my head of all the things I need from her. Again, some might think I'm selfish but maybe when it all comes down to it, that's what I really am: a selfish bas***d who takes his wife for granted. So, have at it. Whatever this interview is going to cost me, I don't really care anymore. I've already lost the one most important thing in my life, anything else pales in comparison.
I: Wow, that's.. uh.. what I'm trying to say is.. Abhi, thank you so much for shedding some light on "After You". And for sharing with us your personal experience. And for putting yourself in this position. And.. and for letting us into your pain. We really appreciate your honesty and we know this is not easy for you. We, I, wish you all the very best from here on out. Thank you once again.
A: Thank you for having me.
(5 weeks later)
*Abhi is driving when his cell phone goes off. He picks it up without looking at the caller ID*
A: Hello?
P: H-hello, Abhi.
A: *brakes suddenly and pulls car to the side, causing traffic* Is that you, Pragya? Pragya?
P: Yes, it's me. How are you?
A: *looks disbelievingly at cell phone* What.. *looks back at cell phone multiple times, not trusting his eyes*
P: Abhi, it's me. Hello? Abhi, what"
A: Pragya, you're calling me. What's going on, where are you"
P: *chuckles* Why do you sound so frantic? Wait, don't answer that. Look, I'll make this call quick. Bulbul's birthday is coming up and she wants to have a small dinner party. Are you available on the 24th?
A: What.. are you.. what.. Bulbul? 24th?
P: Yes, Bulbul.. you know, my little sister.. And it's this month on the 24th of July. On Friday. *Pragya starts sounding a little impatient at Abhi's lack of comprehension*
A: Pragya, are you inviting me to Bulbul's birthday party? *tries to maintain an even voice*
P: Yes, Abhishek, I'm personally inviting you. And it's not some grand event, just family and friends over dinner.
A: ...
P: Abhi? Hello? What is wrong with this connection"
A: Did you just say family and friends'? *fails at maintaing even voice, voice cracks with emotion* Do you consider me family? Is this some kind of twisted prank call... *Abhi feels a giant lump in his throat*
P: Oh my goodness, Abhi! Just say yes or no!
A: Yes! Yes! Yes, I'll come. What time? Wait! No, I'll be available all day, and the day before that.. I'll help in the preparation.. I'll.. *goes off listing mundane things while Pragya just shakes her head and smiles indulgently*
P: *Pragya cuts into his long-winded monologue* Okay, that's settled. I'll see you on the 24th. Take care, Abhi.
A: Wait! Pragya, wait. I.. *mutters to himself* I don't know what to tell you.. I thought.. I just.. Pragya, I miss you.
P: ...
A: *closes his eyes and finally lets a lone tear fall realizing Pragya won't answer* But that's okay though. I mean, it's alright if you don't feel the same. It was pretty stupid of me.. I wasn't thinking.. I was just"
P: I'll see you soon, Abhi.
Aaand that's all for now. Maybe. I don't know. I hope you guys like it! I'd love to hear some feedback.
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