AbhiGya Fiction - FROZEN - CHP. 10 C & HAPPY ENDING UPDATED - COMP - Page 10

Hello All! This is the next chapter. I hope you like it as much as you liked all the other chapters. Your feedbacks always overwhelm me. Please leave behind your lovely comments for me. Happy Reading on that note! 😛😉

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Chapter 9: Rays Of Sunshine

I was sitting at the dining table for dinner with family. It was a warm fuzzy feeling inside me. Suddenly my daadi gently tapped my shoulder, I looked up at her.

"Oye Abhi, why do you have such a silly smile plastered over your face? And why haven't you touched the food, it's going cold beta"

I came back to the present. I found myself basking in the bliss of being around my loud and chirpy family for dinner, after a very long time. My brother-in-law Neil was on a six months project to Belgium, and Krish was too young to travel, so daadi brought Aaliya back home with her. The initial plan was daadi was to stay with Aaliya for these six months.

But that day when I took Pragya to the doctor, she was diagnosed with severe depression. I was shell shocked, and the doctor had planted the idea upon me that there was no absolute cure - it was all about self-restraint on Pragya's part. She always needed to remind herself, to not let go - she had to constantly be in control of her mind - this was what remained of the Pragya who had always let go of her mind - she never controlled herself - be it when she told me that she loved me all those years back, or when she pulled me to random pecks on my face that night in Haus Khaus. But the doctor had also mentioned, the closest Pragya could go to lead a normal life would be when she was happy and busy with life.

Hence, after the check-up with the doctor and dropping a silent Pragya home, I had called daadi and explained the situation to her - she had immediately changed her plans of staying with Aaliya, and decided to bring Aaliya and Krish to stay with us instead.

So, today as I sat in the dining table admiring the sight, I saw daadi fondling Krish, and feeding him to baby food, Aaliya and Pragya loudly chatting and giggling like teenagers - They had got along very well right from the beginning. Aaliya of course, knew about our past - she was fiercely protective of Pragya in the past - now when she met her, their bond strengthened right from the first salutation. And slowly in these two weeks, I saw Pragya improving - I was glad to see the occasional sparks of Prags in her. In a way, she started seeing Bulbul in Aaliya, I could tell. They watched movies together, they chatted in each other rooms till late night, they went shopping together, and sometimes they even teamed up together to take my case! - Well, Aaliya would take my case, and she would stand by her with a small smile - Our equation hadn't improved. Ever since that night of her breakdown, we hardly ever spoke on a personal level - It's not that I didn't try, but she wouldn't - maybe she was embarrassed? I wanted to tell her to do away with all the awkwardness, but I feared reminding her of that night, especially when she was improving. I was happy with life in general with my houseful of loved ones - and as for Pragya's health and happiness, I kept a tab of it indirectly, sometimes through Aaliya, sometimes through daadi and sometimes through the staff.

It had been a month and half. Aaliya told me, that the doctor had finally said that Pragya was in perfect control. She was fine and didn't need medication - she just needed to exercise control over her mind and be happy. I was overjoyed - after whatever she had gone through, she was finally fine. But one look at Aaliya told me I was busted. Again.

"So bhai, what plans now? Pragya is fine. Should we send her back home?"

I was surprised, I thought Aaliya loved Pragya, why was she suggesting me to send Pragya back? What was it that I had done this time?

"Good that she is fine. But let's check for some more time? You know, with depression, you never really know" I reasoned. My sister looked at me sceptically for a second.

"Oh well, we will keep her for a few days. Then? When we are absolutely sure, she is fine. Then what?"

"What - what? Then I guess she can go back" I mumbled, not looking at her - somehow, the idea didn't please me.

"Oh, so we cure her, and send her back to that hell where every night she tries to control her mind, and in order, lose it? Nice." She replied with sarcasm.

"Aaliya, I thought it was your idea to send her back! I mean, I am okay with her staying here" only I didn't mention exactly how great this option was for me.

"Bhai" she began patiently with gritted teeth, "Why do you think she will want to move to our house permanently?"

I was getting irritated at this point. I understood what Aaliya meant, but how could I help it? I knew I loved Pragya, and Pragya knew it too. But along with that knowledge, I also knew that now she didn't want anything to do with me, she had put me off on my face that night when I confessed my feelings to her - and what more, after the night of her panic attack, now I even knew to what extent I had broken her down at one point in life - although I wasn't sure if she remembered telling me this. Whichever way, the fact that Pragya loved my daadi, adored Aaliya but never spoke to me much - showed her refusal towards me, and I respected it especially after that night when she collapsed in my arms. With all this going between the two of us, how was I to make her stay back?

"Aaliya, why don't you tell me what you want me to do?"

"Convince her to stay with us. Forever." She replied in a matter-of-fact voice.

I stared at her." Marriage" I gulped. Yes, I loved Pragya, and didn't see myself with any other person in my life, but marriage? There, my lifelong skittishness to wedlock was back. Pragya was always special - she made me forget my fear of commitments - but marriage?

"Aaliya. I. I can't get married. You know that. Don't." I let out a harsh whisper, this very idea was making me claustrophobic.

"Learn from your mistakes bhai" she snapped at me and fumed out of the room.

***

I was bothered for the last three days - ever since Aaliya and I had the conversation. I knew she was right - sending Pragya back would be murdering her - I didn't want to see her unhappy ever again - I loved her too much - But she was growing impatient now - every now and then she started getting into banters with daadi and Aaliya about returning home. My sister and grandmother have been doing a commendable job of emotionally blackmailing her so far - But I could see it wouldn't work for very long now.

I realized, it was time - I have to push Pragya beyond her comfort zone - we had to talk.

She was going back to her room after dinner that night, when I gently caught hold of her wrist. She turned around enquiringly and saw me. She stopped. Her expression was unreadable. I looked at her liquid brown eyes, and forgot everything for a moment - I felt like I was in a happy illusion - I didn't want to come out of it - it was ages since I looked directly into her eyes - and those eyes, they never failed to mesmerize me. But then she blinked, and I broke from my trance and found myself trying to find something begin the conversation with.

"Pragya, do you have a lighter?".Shit. I thought to myself. Of all things?

"No" she replied, and turned back to go.

"Umm, match box?" I asked from behind her. She stopped for a second, then she walked into her room. I stood there about to stamp my foot at my stupidity, when she returned with the box. She handed me the box and was going back.

"Pragya, do you mind joining me at the terrace for a smoke?" she turned around perplexed.

"I don't smoke Abhi"

"I know, I wasn't asking you to either. Just that smoking for a singer is not good too, and from occasional drags, it has become quite a habit now. I am trying not to indulge myself into smoking alone - you know, to keep the number less" I asked trying to sound justified. "But, I sort of need one now, so could you like be company? Just so my protocol remains?" I finished hopelessly, feeling very stupid at my lame attempt.

"Okay, I will come"

I looked at her surprised, I didn't think I would make it - but I guess it was a lucky night.

"So, how is work going?" I asked casually.

"Fine. Your's?"

"Preparing for the music launch this fall. So, how are you now?" I asked cautiously.

"What happened to me? I am perfectly fine" she replied indignantly.

"Of course you are. But you know, just ensuring, you haven't been taking those pills again nah?"

"No." she said curtly. Then after a pause, "In fact I don't need them anymore. I am absolutely fine. I can go home now. Will you please help convince Aalu and daadi?" she asked hopefully. I was stumped at that, but a better idea hit me.

"Why should I help you? I mean we are not even friends anymore. You never talk to me!" I smirked. She caught my expression, and to my surprise, let out a laugh. Aah the feeling it evoked in me - damn those warm tingly feelings.

"Draaamebaz" she replied pouting like a child. Like my Prags. I couldn't help but smile at that.

"Please Abhi, only you can handle them and convince them. It's been two months now - I need to get going."

"What do I get in return?" I chuckled.

"What do you want rockstar?" the arrogance with which she called me that, it reminded me of the older days. We were finally going to be friends again, I thought.

"A promise" I replied softly.

"What promise?" I could see her face going serious again.

"That you will never shed another drop of tear" I whispered softly looking into her already teary eyes. She blinked and a pearl like tear fell. I caught it with my finger, not letting it roll further down her cheek. And my grin was back.

"There! You broke your promise chashmish. I am not helping you! You've got to stay!" I finished.

At first she didn't catch what I said! Then realization dawned and she grinned back at me smacking my head with all her might.

"Cheater" she laughed.

I thought the time was ripe.

"I don't want you to leave us chashmish" I whispered earnestly.

"Abhi, we have been through this before, I have already told you----"

But I cut across her statement mid-way, "Because" she looked at me questioningly.

"Let me complete chashmish. I want you to stay because...well NOT because I love you. I know that s not reason enough for you to stay. But I want you to stay because I feel safe when you're around my daadi. In these few days, whenever I have travelled, not even for a second have I felt worried for daadi and her health. I was reassured because you were here with her. You are the grandchild that Aaliya and I could never be. We both love daadi, unconditionally - but the way you spend time with her, show her care - we can't. With you around, daadi is healthier - you and daadi both have found solace in each other's presence. Please don't let go of it because of me? Pragya I promise, I will never bring up my feelings for you again"

She was stunned into silence for a while. Then with a shaky voice she began.

"Abhi, I love daadi. I see my ma, papa and my daadi in her. I don't want to hurt her. But I can't stay here Abhi - It's not done. I can come and visit her ---"

I stood there silently. I don't know why I felt so low. I could see that I had failed. She wasn't going to stay.

"Well chashmish, your staying would have meant the world to my family. After ages, my house was the happy, chirpy home that it once was. But I guess, I can't force you. I understand." I heaved a sigh and was leaving, when I heard a small sob and looked at her.

"In these last days, you have helped me a lot. I cannot ever repay for that, but I had promised myself, I will do whatever I can - to return the favour" she sighed. "But, I will pay rent!" she replied animatedly.

I laughed at that. "Of course! Every month, that to on time! Else you've to pay fine. I will get the contract ready!" I smiled.

"You mean a proper legal contract?" she asked uncertainly.

"Yes chashmish, a legal one stating, you've got to feed me aloo paranthas on the first of every month, failing which, you have to make them for me for two consecutive days. Deal?" I chuckled.

"Deal" she joined in.

Hence Pragya and I began our journey again - as inmates of the same house this time!