***
"Tanu, Will you just stop? Do you realise what you are saying? It has just been a month since Dadi has" Aaliyah croaked, before pausing and regaining her posture. Dadi's death had hit her hard. She was the only female presence in her life, someone who had always been there since the beginning. Someone who knew, someone who was family.
Tanu quickly rearranged her manner of speaking. "Aaliyah, I know what you mean. I'm really upset about what happened to dadi. But it was an accident. And such things happen in life. Look Aaliyah, I'm sure Dadi wanted your happiness, as well as Abhi's too. And Abhi's happiness is with me. Not that chashmish!"
"Look Tanu, I know you love bhai. I understand this is hard for you but you need to give him some time. It's hard on him, It's hard on all of us"
"Aaliyah, how much more time do I give him!?" Tanu screeched. "I have tried to cheer him up, he just isn't listening to me. He ignores me. I'm trying to divert his attention but no.. and not to mention marriage. He doesn't want to hear it.." Tanu yelled, walking along Aliyah;s room, up and down clasping her phone to her hand. "Tanu, I think he's fallen in love with Pragya. He must have. I can't do this. I need him Aaliyah. You have to talk about marriage to him, that's it. I know nothing"
"I don't want it."
Pragya took a bit of roti and dipped it in the sabzi putting her hand out to his lips. "Abhi, you need to eat. Otherwise you'll get ill"
"Pragya, I've said I don't want to eat. Stop forcing me." Abhi replied, standing up and turning his face from her.
Pragya put the plate down and held his face making him look at her. "Abhi" she whispered. Her eyes reflecting her understanding. Her eyes expressing her sadness. Her eyes expressing the tenderness of her love for him. "She.. She.. I" Abhi gasped and hit his head onto her shoulders crying. He couldn't, it was too much.
"I know Abhi, I know.." Pragya whispered, rubbing his head soothingly. "Sshhh" she whispered. They stayed like that for a while.
"Abhi, you need to eat"
"Have you eaten?"
Pragya looked down as a response, her eyes suddenly fascinated at the bed pole.
"Eyy chashmish.. this won't work. Trying to make me eat when you haven't eaten yourself."
"How can I eat when you are hungry?"
Abhi just stared at her. Pragya. She was there, she existed. Everything else didn't matter right now. She was always there. Always there when he needed her. Always there when he was mean to her. Always there when he didn't even consider her his biwi. And she was always there for dadi. His beloved, beloved dadi. Without realising what he was doing, he unconsciously took his hands and cupped her face. She looked at him in surprise, her eyes staring into his. She trusted him. And he places a small kiss on her forehead, leaning his face against hers so their foreheads were touching and his nose was on top of hers.. Still touching.
Fan Fictions
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
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