Chapter 6 : MEMORIES
Abhi reached home with a smile that day. He was smiling after so long. He felt so good. The sea had always been special for them. He had found his best friend on a beach once upon a time. He had met her again, today, along the sea. He replayed those days in his head when the became friends.
Xxx
After the first encounter, neither Abhi nor Pragya liked each other. That day had somehow ended well for both of them. Abhi had managed to exchange his tee with a friend and borrowed his guitar as well for the audition. And, being the best, he was obviously chosen to represent the college. He was looking forward to the competitions to begin since big names from the industry were to be present there. He wanted to make a mark and make it big.
Pragya's teacher had suddenly fallen ill that day and the lecture had been called off. She heaved a sigh of relief on knowing the fact because she had one more day to get her papers in order. She would have another day to rehearse her presentation and be perfect. She wanted the scholarship at any cost. Getting the scholarship would also mean being able to participate in the inter college decathlon. She really wanted to be a part of it as it would be a platform to learn so many things. Being the scholar that she was, her presentation stood out and she was chosen from the batch.
There was still a month to the fest and both, Abhi and Pragya, were busy with their preparations. They worked hard and would often stay back after college hours. They would often come across each other in the auditorium or during practice. Initially, they would try to get back at each other and pick up fights but later things changed. They would ignore the others presence. Strangely, both didn't feel the anger or hatred for each other that existed earlier. Somehow, both had got what they wanted and that silly fight didn't matter at all. In fact, they often behaved as if they had never met each other.
The fest was to take place in Goa where all the selected students and faculty from the top institutes all over India had gathered. It was a big affair and winning the title would be a matter of pride to the institution. Being the loyals, Abhi and Pragya had determined to excel in their fields to win the trophy for their institute.
The fest was split into 3 areas - Academics, Fine Arts and Sports. The events were to be held during the day while the evenings were to socialise and have fun. Days passed and the various rounds to the various competitions began. Abhi and Pragya slowly climbed the ladder in their respective fields. They would also take part in the social activities but generally avoided being in the same group.
The finale was to be held in 2 days and the students had a break till then. Pragya, with a couple of friends had decided to go explore the city. She loved going places and knowing about the people and culture there. While they explored, a group of boys saw this as their chance and started following them. They started hooting and whistling when Abhi noticed them. He had come to the market to pick gifts for his beloved daadi and little sister. He also saw a policeman on the other end of the street. He quickly walked over to the cop and led him to the girls. The boys ran away and the girls thanked him over and over. Only Pragya stood aside. He looked over to see if she was okay and she just nodded her head once, acknowledging the fact that she was. A small smile appeared at the corner of her lips, or thats what he thought.
Later that night, Pragya decided to take a walk on the beach. She wanted to talk to Manu before going to bed as she often did. Picking up her phone and wrapping a shawl loosely around her shoulder, Pragya walked to the shore. Walking to a quiet patch, away from the shacks and parties, Pragya dialled Bulbul's number.
She had been trying Bulbul's number since the last 10 minutes while walking on the sand as the tiny waves crashed on her feet. She almost gave up and decided to talk to her in the morning. As she turned to go back, she saw Abhi sitting on the shore at a distance. She remembered the event from earlier during the day and decided to thank him for his help. She reached him and slowly placed her hand on his shoulder. " Abhi.." She called out.
He quickly wiped his tears and looked up to see her smiling down at him. He was surprised to see her there, but, he smiled back. She asked him through her eyes if it was okay to sit next to him. He simply nodded his head. She settled herself next to him, gathering her knees closer to her chest. They remained silent for a few minutes, enjoying the comfort of being with each other.
"Umm.. Abhi.." Pragya began. "I wanted to thank you.. For what you did today. I'm sorry i didn't say this earlier. I was just too surprised to react. But what you did meant a lot. Thank you." She said again. Abhi turned to her and smiled assuringly. "Pragya, you don't really need to thank me. It was my duty as a responsible citizen. And i wouldn't be able to face my daadi and sister had i ignored what was happening." He explained. Pragya smiled at his explanation. Did such men really exist? She thought.
Her thought went back to their initial encounters and she chuckled at how silly they had been. It had been quite sometime that they were sitting quietly. The silence was comforting. After a while, Pragya got up to leave. "Hey, mind sitting for some more time?" He asked her. She looked back at him to see a pained face. Tears had started to form in his eyes. He looked helpless. She got back to her place and smiled at him.
"Abhi, i know we haven't been the best of friends and most cordial people. But if you need to talk, I'm here." She said placing her palm on his hand. Abhi looked up to the stars in the horizon and pointed to the one that shone the brightest. You know what Pragya.. My mother was a superwoman. I adored and idolised her as a kid. She always inspired me, encouraged me to do what i wanted to do. She taught me the difference between right and wrong. You know what i really loved about her? Her smile. No matter what the situation, her face always had this soothing smile. Even when she was fighting cancer, her smile and spirit never diminished. She wanted me to make it big. She wanted to see me as someone people adore. I lost her a few years back, but, her smile still motivates me. Soon after, dad left us too. I miss them Pragya. I miss them so much. I miss going back to mom and telling her everything that i did during the day. I miss those fun and adventure days with dad. I miss sleeping on mums lap when im low. I miss dad's encouraging talks. Why is life so unfair?"
Pragya wiped off the tears that formed in her eyes. This man was going through what she herself was. She remained strong on the outside for herself and Manu. She just couldn't let them be vulnerable. But, she often broke down too. She would miss her parents and the happy family days. But right now, she couldn't think of herself. The guy sitting in front of her needed her support.
"Life often plays games with us, Abhi. Its just God's way of testing how strong we are and how well we are able to fight out of the mess. His ways differ from person to person, be it giving someone something in short of what the others have or snatching away something or someone that is dear to us. But, Abhi, i believe that such incidences just make us a much stronger and better person. He does everything with a motive, Abhi, and all you need to do is have faith in him. He sets everything straight. And who says your mom dad are away, abhi? They are right here! In your heart, in your thoughts and in your actions. They love you. And you have to be what they wanted you to be. Do it for them. Do it for yourself!" She had told him.
Abhi kept looking at her. He was much better now. A small smile crept on his lips as he held her hand. "Thank you, Pragya. I feel so much better now." He said genuinely. She just pressed her hand over his in acknowledgement. Just then her phone vibrated and she saw Manu's name flashing on the screen.
"Manu! Bacche where were you? I got so worried.. Why didn't you pick up?" Pragya asked as soon as she picked up the phone. "Di relax.. Im okay. I was studying and the phone was in the other room." She replied. Pragya spoke to bulbul for some more time while Abhi sat there, staring at the waves and stars.
"So, was that your sister?" He asked. "Yeah.. My lil sister.. My.." She swallowed the lump in her throat "My only family after i lost my parents in an accident" she finished. Abhi was shocked to hear that. Here he was, crying and lost while she sat there strong, trying to calm him down when she was going through the same thing as he was. He could see her getting sad and decided to cheer her up.
"Hey! I have a lil sister too.. Aaliya.. She prefers Al though.. Says its cool. One hell of a spoilt brat she is. Papa always fulfilled all her demands. Wanna see her pic?" He suggested. Pragya smiled at him "of course Abhi.. Show me" she said. Abhi pulled out his wallet from the back pocket of his jeans and pulled out a picture. An old lady was sitting on the chair while a cute lil girl sat on her lap. He was standing behind his daadi, hugging her from the back. Pragya smiled at the cute family.
"Papa had clicked this picture when we bought our first camera" he said. "Al would really like you. She always said she wanted en elder sister." He exclaimed. Pragya let out a small laugh. "I'd definitely love to meet her as well, Abhi. And i will once we get back to Mumbai." She said.
Xxx
That night at the beach had changed their relation for good. They had found a best friend and a confidant in one another and life was great after that.
Pragya combed her hair as she got ready to sleep. She had been thinking of the old days too. She wondered how Aaliya and daadi were now. She wondered how Alu, as she lovingly called her, had turned out to be? If daadi was the same fun loving, full of life soul? If Abhi was still the same vulnerable abhi she knew?
She took out her diary and ran her hand through the two pictures she always cherished, one of her partents with her and bulbul and the other with abhi daadi and alu.
She wanted to meet Abhi again but right now, she didnt know how. They had forgotten to exchange their phone numbers earlier that day, but, she knew that they would meet again. If destiny had led them to each other today, she was sure it would happen again.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
