Say Hello to Mr. Perfect - Abhigya Fic - Completed (25/06/2015)

He didn't know if he should be worried. He had broken the news of his impending divorce with Pragya to Dadi. Not only that, he told her everything that had transpired from the arrangement of the wedding to date. She seemed to have taken it surprisingly well.

Initially she had been slightly shocked, but had recovered quickly. Maneuvering him outside her room, she called for Indu and Swarni daasi to join her in her room before promptly shutting the door on his face. They had been in there ever since.

He wondered if he should hang around incase something happened to Dadi, but then reasoned since both Daasis were with her, there really was no need to worry. Walking away, he mentally prepared a list of everything that needed to be done for his "real" wedding to whom he referred to as the love of his life. Tanu.

Family commitments prevented him from spending much time with her and the lack of attention made her more demanding. She had been on his case for months about getting rid of the behenji and getting married to her. It hadn't started out that way he mused. She had wanted to concentrate on her career and he didn't want the commitment.

But it had happened with Aliyah's and to a lesser extent Dadi's insistence. Life played the biggest joke on him, making the girl Aliyah hated, the one Dadi loved. The same person he was currently married to. He had tried but hadn't been able to dislike her as much as Aliyah but she was different and that made him not like her much either. Until recently.

When she had frankly told him that he was under a misunderstanding, he felt foolish. He had blindly trusted everything his darling sister had told him without finding out the truth. His one uninformed decision had created a mess of his life. And hers.

But they had continued the pretence under the compromise that their elders were happy.

His sister had a different idea completely however, and decided to raise questions on her morality. The MMS that he's received had caused anger and grief that she had knowingly jeopardized the illusion that they had put up before their families.

He felt guilt when he remembered how rashly he had decided to get her married to her friend who had innocently been helping her. And the regret that washed over him when the truth finally came to light.

He recognized that he had been unfair to her and himself from the start of the marriage. He had neither respected nor given her enough credence to keep her end of the bargain, despite her various pleas that he believe her.

It shamed him and pricked his conscience, that he had so little faith. So he righted the wrong for his peace of mind and the first step for that had been telling Dadi about the non existent relationship.

It had taken months but the mess was getting sorted slowly and all the mistakes and tangled relationships would be neat and tidy soon.

Everyone would be in their place and happy.

Dadi was not having it. She knew how dumb her grandson could be. She had raised him after all and knew him better than even himself.

He wasn't stupid. If anything he was insightful when it came to worldly matters, but matters of the heart he purposely shied away from. She remembered telling Pragya that her grandson had a heart of gold, but it almost seemed like he was determined to make a liar out of her.

As thoughts swirled through her mind, she tried to find that one thought of clarity that would help her with the mammoth task ahead.

"Indu, Swarni, Abhishek has just told me that him and Pragya are getting divorced." She finally spoke to her cousins who were waiting patiently for her to tell them why she'd called them there.

"Didi but it's not even been that long since Abhi cleared the confusion on Pragya's innocence. Did he give you a reason for the divorce?"

"He did it again. Remember how he used to take responsibility for Aliyah's mistakes when they were younger and solve all her problems? Well he decided to punish Pragya for loving Purab by marrying her."

"Daljeet, but I thought that problem was sorted out. That's why him and Aliyah didn't get married."

"Yes, but because of what Aliyah did with the MMS, Abhi has taken the blame on himself and that even though he doesn't love her, he's still married to her."

"Didi, he's joking right? That he doesn't love Pragya is a lie. You just have to look at them to know that there is something there."

" Indu, he told me they have been acting and that..."

" Daljeet, they cannot be acting all the time. There is too much concern even when they can't see anyone around."

" I know Swarni. My grandson is being stubborn about his feelings. There has to be a way to make him realise what he truly feels for Pragya. Think, because if we don't interfere, he will regret it."

"Didi, why don't we make Pragya go back to her Maayka?"

"No. He wants her to leave so we cannot give that to him. Her leaving will not bring them closer or solve anything. We will have to let Sarla know of whatever we decide as it is and I don't want to stress her out even further by sending Pragya back home."

"She needs to stay close by...But what can we do?"

All three fell silent for a while. How to convince anyone that they loved someone was a tricky task. After all between the three of them they had enough experience to know that not everyone reacted the same in any situation.

"That's it Didi. She stays close but far!"

"Don't talk in riddles Indu. What are you trying to say?"

"Didi, first make sure Pragya is far from Abhi. Still visible but far. We can start with moving all her things to the room next to yours. Robin can do all the things that Pragya used to do for Abhi."

"But what will that achieve?"

"Pragya not doing all his work will make him realise how much she does for him. But there is more. Tell Abhi you are happy for him to get divorced and marry whom he wants, on one condition. He needs to ensure Pragya's happiness first."

"Pragya's happiness?"

"Swarni didi, I mean to say, we tell him he needs to make sure that Pragya will also be happily married to someone and have a life filled with all the happiness he wants in his life. He needs to find Pragya a groom."

"Indu, remember what happened during the fake MMS? He insisted the wedding to be completed in 4 days. What if he decides to do something like that again?"

"Swarni didi, Abhi didn't let her get married to Suresh. He found out the truth and stopped the wedding. But there is a solution to that. Abhi has to approve that the groom will keep Pragya happy. If nothing else the guilt of doing so much wrong in her life, will make him find the best possible match for her."

"I hope this plan works."

"Didi let's get the wheels rolling at least. If need be we can intervene. We keep an eye on what is happening."

"We can get Preeto in the plan as well. It is a strange request, but I've known her long enough. We just have to be careful to not hurt any of the other boys feelings."

She wasn't sure what she was going to do with herself. Ever since he had told her that it would be for the best that they divorced, things had seemed hazy. She had thought that they had finally gotten accustomed to one another and things were going well.

Their relationship was settling in what she thought would be quite a familiar routine to other couples who had an arranged marriage. True, they didn't have a physical relationship of any sort, but she had accepted him as her husband and had started liking him. When that like became love she would never know.

And she had dared to hope that maybe there was a potential future of them being together when he stopped the wedding and burnt the divorce papers. That belief was quickly shattered with the information that Dadi now knew of their divorce.

To further break the thought of any normality entering her head, he told her he was going to be spending the rest of the day with Tanu planning their wedding. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the hand she had been dealt with.

After all the possessiveness over him she has shown to Tanu, Tanu was finally going to have it all; her husband, her family and her position. And she would be left with... nothing. Because no one ever wanted a divorced woman especially not someone like her who didn't have the looks, the young age or anything physically appealing to offer.

She never looked at herself as a commodity and placed great value on being her own person, but human nature put appearances over everything else. She had experience in that field, people overlooking her or showing preference to her better looking sister.

Worry came about because she was unsure of what exactly her future would hold. Of course no one would dare put any fault on the rockstar. They would look for the shortcomings in her. What she had lacked that her rockstar husband had to go looking elsewhere.

She'd just come a full circle in her thoughts she mused. Not wanting to think any more about her future, she got up to sort out the mess he had made in the room before leaving. After all regardless of what anyone thought of her, she did know how to keep house.

"Pragya!" she heard Dadi call her just as she was putting the last of his dogtags away.

"Coming Dadi." Walking towards Dadi's room she wondered how she would appease Dadi's disappointment in them not making the marriage work. "You called me Dadi?"

"Pragya, I want you to move all your belongings to the room next to mine. Do it now. Abhi has told me all about the divorce and I don't want anyone pointing a finger at you, my child."

"Dadi, it doesn't matter. There isn't anything between us so it shouldn't be a problem anyways. Plus, he'll find it hard to find everything in the room, because I've been putting things away for months now."

"He will just have to get unused to it. From now you're staying here as my daughter. So no doing anything for him. His new wife will take over the task, but till then, show Robin the essentials and he'll look after that. Abhi is a grown man and he can find his own things. Also there is no need to make his coffee in the morning. I'll do that and send it with Robin."

"But Dadi why would you be doing any work while I'm here?"

"Oh my sweet child, don't worry so. I'm going to show Robin how to make his coffee as well. It will take a few days but Robin will learn and then he'll take over that chore too."

"Dadi I really don't..."

"No my child, what my grandson has done is very unfair. I want you to spend as much time with me as possible, because I know once he gets married again we are not going to be able to keep you here. Now go and start packing your belongings. Make sure nothing gets left behind. I don't want to give Abhi any more excuses to get annoyed at you."

"Okay Dadi. I'll do as you say. Although you shouldn't really bother. Like you said it is only for a few days till he gets married."

Pragya was unsure how it would work, but she knew reasoning with dadi would be futile. If there was anything she had learnt during her stay at her in-laws, it was that everyone was fairly stubborn once they decided they wanted something.

Gathering all her belongings didn't take too long and in her own meticulous way arranged everything in her new room. Adjusting to a room without her husband's larger than life presence would take some time. She didn't realise how used to him she had gotten.

Calling out for Robin, she showed him where she's kept all Abhi's important things, with the instruction that if there was something he couldn't find, he was to come and ask her. She knew Dadi had instructed to leave Abhi to his own vices, however, Robin wasn't at fault and she did not want Abhi getting angry at him for no reason.

She had decided to get Abhi's bar put back into his room. He had been angry when she had taken over the space in his room for her mandir and books and thought giving that back to him was her way of making sure there was nothing there to remind him that she was ever a part of his life.

He didn't know what to do. The pile had seemed daunting and an hour later he wasn't any closer to narrowing it down even slightly.

He couldn't believe some of the photos he was looking at. All the potential suitors looked like models and that was before he even saw their full biodatas. Deciding to ignore the photographs, he started looking through the actual profiles when Tanu walked into the room.

Aliyah was back in Australia and although it broke his heart, he had to make her go, to get over the obsession she had developed. That hadn't prevented Tanu from coming over to meet him, but it had reduced drastically.

Now though, because dadi knew of their relationship, she walked into his room without any fear of reprimand.

"Abhi, what are you doing? Come on. Let's go for a drive. We can have dinner after."

"Tanu I'm looking for Pragya's groom. Dadi's sent these photos and biodatas but I can't seem to decide who to choose. Am I a girl?"

"Oh stop it Abhi. It's not that hard to pick a guy for Pragya. After all that [/i]behenji[/i] doesn't need someone very good looking or rich."

"No Tanu. Dadi, Indu and Swarni Daasi and Pragya all have to approve. Why don't you help? Pick some that you'd think appropriate and I'll show them to Dadi. It will get done quicker that way and we can go where ever you want."

Tanu had already started flicking through the pile of biodatas that Abhi had rejected to see what options the behenji had gotten. They were all very attractive and soon she was absorbed in looking through.

Absently she murmured, "OH he's quite good looking. Loves travelling...hmmm or this one...wow he's quite handsome as well... average job..."

Abhi was getting annoyed. And frustrated. Here he was trying to find someone who would be able to meet Chashmish on an intellectual level and Tanu was going for the looks. They weren't any closer to finding the perfect match for Pragya from when he'd started.

Pushing them aside he started, "Why is this so hard? I've only looked at about fifteen that she might like and that dadi and both daasis will approve of, but even those I'm only half sure off."

Tanu added hers onto the pile that Abhi had formed.

"Abhi just go give them to dadi. She can narrow it down further. Just tell her that you liked these and now they need to decide. Let's go out."

Rubbing a hand across his face, he picked up the pile and walked to dadi's room.

"Dadi, here you go. I liked these profiles the best. Why don't you, Indu daasi and Swarni daasi take a look and narrow it down. I'll call them up and ask them to come meet Pragya and she can decide whom she likes. For now I'm going out. Call me if you need anything."

"Okay Abhi. Keep your phone handy. I'll call you to let you know. Please send Indu and Swarni to the room before you leave."

"Didi, Abhi told us he's given you some suitors biodatas. Have you looked? How are they? We need to make sure that they are good enough to give Abhi some competition."

"Patience Indu. I was waiting for both of you. Here they are. I told Preeto to make sure that all the suitors were physically attractive and had stable high incomes. She did mention she had put some middle class boys as well so as not to raise any suspicion."

"Hurry didi. Let's take a look. I can't wait."

All three dadis looked through with a keen eye to see whom Abhi though was most suitable for Pragya. There were some surprising choices that they didn't expect. They discussed, dissected and discarded seventy five percent of the profiles, leaving them with five potential suitors. They knew they wouldn't need so many, but they hoped that Pragya would like at least one of them enough for them to carry out the rest of their plan.

"Didi, now all we need is for Pragya to meet them. We need to make sure Abhi is present for all the meetings so he can see them interacting. Remember close but far."

"But Indu, what if Pragya really does like one of them?"

"Didi, I don't think so. Today at breakfast you were all watching Abhi but I was looking at Pragya. She looked so listless till she sat down and then she saw Abhi and her whole face just looked so at peace. And she was blushing. I don't think we have to worry."

"Okay that's good. I'm going to give Abhi the numbers of these boys to call them. We can start from tomorrow itself."

"Daljeet, should we tell Pragya?"

"Let's wait till the Abhi calls them, then we'll let her know."

He sat down with the numbers of the five men that Dadi had approved. Now he just had to figure out what he would say when he called them up. Drafts had been crumpled and thrown till he had what he thought was the best and neutral invitation to the prospective suitors.

It was simple explaining to them to come meet Pragya and see if they clicked. He didn't tell them about the unusual situation of her still being married to him. He figured that was something that he would leave up to dadi to explain.

To make sure that there was enough time for each person to meet with Pragya for the first time, they would arrive one after the other from that evening spanning over the next two days. He told dadi of the arrangement and was informed of needing to be present for all the initial meetings.

Pragya couldn't believe she was doing it. Meeting new men to get married. Again. She was setting herself up for disappointment. Dadi had told her to get ready and be downstairs once she was called. She had put on one of her dressier anarkalis to meet the first of the suitors, who was due any minute. And she paced.

She had gotten more restless since being told of the meetings. She wanted to shout and be stubborn about not wanting to go through with this, but she was mature. Respectful. And patient. The wait was soon over and dadi called her downstairs to meet the first person.

As she walked down the staircase, she saw him sitting across from dadi. He looked okay, quite good looking in fact. Clean shaven bar the moustache. Wearing a t shirt and jeans, he looked as though he worked out every day, for hours. Good features.

"And here is Pragya. She's a professor. She took a year out to settle in and be a wife, but with the current situation that we spoke about earlier, she might either take more time or go back to work."

"Pragya, meet Anant Sood."

Pragya smiled and folded her hands towards him.

"Hi. Anant. Nice to meet you Pragya."

"So Anant where is your family? Did they not want to come? Usually getting married is a big decision and parents especially want to know." Indu daasi started off the conversation.

"Well, my parents are in Punjab. Dad works in a firm. Mum looks after my grandparents. They couldn't come on such short notice. In fact I think it's better that they're not here."

"Why though? Surely family is very important in decisions of life aren't they?" Dadi asked.

"Yes sure. But I have to live with my wife. I'm not going to be staying with my family after my marriage. Because of my career choice, we don't see eye to eye with lifestyle choices. I am hoping that Pragya will adapt to those lifestyles."

Pragya sat in wonderment. How could someone not want to stay with their family? Understandably his family was far away, but to not wanting to be with them? And what lifestyles was he talking about? Finally speaking up over her family she asked him to clarify, "What exactly is your lifestyle?"

"Pragya, I'm going to be frank with you. As a fitness instructor, I have a very healthy alternative lifestyle. I spend long hours on keeping myself fit, inspiring other people to take care of themselves, healthy food, that sort of thing. I'm hoping you can adjust to that."

"So family is not on your list of priorities?"

"Well, not exactly. My family is happy where they are and I don't want to have any of the family dramas that most people have with their in laws. I believe if I keep my wife separate from my parents, there will never be that strain."

Pragya was beginning to like him less and less. How could anyone live without a family, the joys and sorrows that came with them? She had always lived with family around her be it at her maternal house, or here at her husband's. To have a relation void of all other relations felt empty.

"I'll have to think about it and let you know. Thank you for taking time out of your day to come and see me. If you'll excuse me, I would like to talk to Dadi privately."

"Yes. Give me a call. We should spend more time talking to each other. I need to leave. I have a client coming in to see me soon."

"Dadi, I can't meet him again. It would kill me to live alone with just my husband. I have always had people surrounding me. Family is the essence of any relationship. I agree having privacy is important but to not want family around you because there might be some bickering between mother in law and daughter in law is just unreasonable. Please Dadi I can't do it."

"Don't worry my child. I'll get Abhi to call him and refuse for any further meetings. I told you before and I'm reassuring you again you won't get married to anyone you don't want to. The choice is entirely yours."

Abhi called suitor number one and told him that Pragya didn't want to meet him again. After disconnecting the call he tried figuring out why Dadi had picked a guy like that for Pragya.

He hadn't liked the look of him and was sure he'd put his profile in the no pile. And deep down he was glad that Pragya hadn't liked him either. Remembering Tanu had come over and had started looking through the pile, he wondered how many of the suitors he called were the ones he'd actually chosen.

She had met all the other guys. And she'd liked all of them. And now they were going on dates. Dates. Really? He was not given the option of going on a date with her. How was it possible that now four random men were going on a date with his wife? And Dadi was completely fine with it.

Tonight it was the Accountant. Reyansh Malhotra. He remembered the profile vaguely. He'd studied here in Mumbai, finished his professional studies. He worked at a good firm at a fairly high managerial accounting post at a young age. Was from a good nuclear family. And seemed nice during the first meeting. So there was nothing wrong with him at all. It was better, after all if she liked him, then that would be it, she could get married to him once everything was finalized.

So why was it bothering him that she had dressed up slightly to meet him? It wasn't one of her normal monochrome chatris, those he could have dealt with. Instead there was a modern border to the chatri. She had draped her dupatta differently as well.

Dadi almost banged into Abhi. He had been pacing near the staircase, lost in his thoughts and hadn't noticed her.

"Abhi! What are you doing? Do you want me to fall?"

"Sorry Dadi. I didn't realise. I was just thinking. About dating."

"Why are you thinking about dating all of a sudden?"

"It's just Dadi, there was never an opportunity for me to take her on a date you know."

"Oh I see. I'm sure you've taken Tanu out on many dates before your marriage to Pragya, but I didn't know about it. So what do you mean opportunity? You want to go on a date with Tanu? Then why don't you? Take her out to dinner. Make sure it is a nice place. And Abhi; enjoy." Saying that dadi walked away with a smile on her face fully knowing that it had been Pragya that he had been talking about.

Pragya didn't know where they were going. She'd worn another of her anarkalis hoping that it was appropriate for where they were going for dinner. He was dressed surprisingly well when he came to pick her up. A buttoned shirt and casual pants with loafers and a blazer.

He'd splurged taking her to a restaurant that was quiet and quite expensive. As they sat down and were handed the menus, Reyansh spoke up,

"My boss recommended this place. It is quite nice. I hope the food is good as well."

Pragya smiled and replied, "Yes, it looks nice. I hope the food is good. Although we didn't need to come to somewhere so expensive."

"I know. But impressions count. Let's take a look at the menus and order dinner."

Once they had placed their orders. They talked about books that they had both read and writing techniques of various writers, but by the time their main course arrived to their table, conversation had tapered to a silence.

Pragya realised that although they did like reading and families were a priority, they had nothing to talk about. The quiet was awkward and apart from their cutlery moving on their dishes, there was no other sound.

She couldn't wait to leave. Her thoughts flitted to the dinner that Dadi had sent Abhi and her on. There was stark contrast in both outings. Even though Abhi had not liked her at all at the time, there was banter in their conversation and the silence was comfortable.

Meals were cleared soon and plans altered. He was apologetic when he requested to drop Pragya home earlier than planned. On reaching the gates, just before she got out of the car, he spoke,

"I'm sorry Pragya. This has been awful."

"It has been hasn't it?" she said laughingly and then continued, "Please don't be sorry. It is hard when there isn't much to talk about. At least now we both know what we don't want. You'll find someone eventually. Thank you for the wonderful dinner though."

"I hope you find someone too. Good night and good luck"

Pragya walked in to find the hall deserted. Dinner time was long over and the family usually never sat together so it wasn't surprising, but to have the rest of the house so quiet was strange.

When she asked Robin, he told her that Mitali bhabhi had taken the kids to visit her maternal house and all three Dadis had retired to their rooms for the night.

Tayaji and Tayiji were attending a friend's 65th birthday and Aakash was also out with some potential sponsors. Lastly, she was informed that Abhi had been locked up in his home studio and hadn't had dinner as yet. Asking Robin to bring a tray of dinner to the studio, she made her way towards it.

She knocked and opened the door to walk in. He was sitting with his guitar lost in thought. Taking a deep breath she spoke to him for the first time since their conversation in Dadi's room,

"Hi."

"Hey Pragya. What are you doing here? I thought you'd not be back till much later."

"We finished early. It was...strange. We just..." Robin knocked on the door interrupting the conversation.

"Place it here Robin and go sleep. I'll clear up so don't worry."

"Okay Bhabhi."

"Robin told me you hadn't eaten, so I thought it might be best if he brought it here. I disturbed you. Sorry. I'll leave. Make sure you eat." Turning around, she walked towards the door realising that she didn't quite know why she sought him out after her date.

"Stay." he requested softly, placing the guitar on the stand.

"But you're working."

"No. I was trying to work. But I've been here a while and it isn't happening."

"You're probably tired from being cooped up in here the whole day. Eat and go to sleep. You'll wake up refreshed."

"You didn't finish telling me why you're home early." He replied taking a morsel of food.

"Ummm...it was...awkward."

"Awkward?"

The food lay forgotten as she started speaking and the silence lifted.

"I thought we had a few things in common and we would get to know each other, but we spoke about similar authors and that was it. I have never felt so uncomfortable in my whole life. The silence. I didn't know what to say. We ate and he dropped me home. We decided it wouldn't work out. Abhishek, why is this so hard?"

"Chashmish, it will get easier. When it is the right person, talking about the smallest things will take long. And when there is silence, it will still be comfortable. You just need to find the right person. That is why we're doing this. Don't worry. I'll keep looking till we find the one for you."

"Thank you Abhishek. I hope we find him soon too. So you can marry Tanu." she replied, trying to smile.

They went silent and he started eating again. There was so much she wanted to ask him. Tell him.

But what if you're the one? What if I want to share the smallest things with you?Why wasn't it possible to just stay with you? Even silence with you feels like home. She had told him how the date went with Reyansh, but what she couldn't say was how she had compared everything that had happened with time she had spent with him.

"I'm done. Let's go. I'll finish up tomorrow."

"You go on up. I'll just put all this in the kitchen and come upstairs."

"Let me help you." Saying so, Abhi walked with Pragya to the kitchen. Putting the tray and unused cutlery on the counter, he leaned against it and watched the ease with which she did everything in the kitchen.

Her movements were efficient, but fluid. It made him wonder if Tanu would ever look that good in the kitchen. Usually if they shared a meal it was out at dinner or she got the help to make the food. She'd never actually cooked anything and doubted she even knew how.