So guys,
First, thanks a lot for reading this.
Special mention to those you like and comment.. That really encourages me to write more..
Thanks to the silent readers as well.. But, i'd be happier if you could leave behind your comments as well.. That'll help me improve myself ... If not, at least leave a like..
Here's chapter 8.. Hope you like it :)
Priya
Chapter 8 :
The Past
"Suresh is no more and I'm here now. End of story" Pragya cut in, choking back her tears. "Excuse me!" She said and walked away to her room. Purab and Bulbul looked at each other and then at Abhi. He looked surprised at Pragya's sudden outburst. She was never like that. What happened suddenly? He looked at Bulbul who in turn looked at Purab. He nodded his head slightly, as if asking her to go ahead. Bulbul sighed and continued the story.
"Abhi bhai, Pragya di hasn't really seen the best in life. She's always struggled, even after marriage. Di and jiju finished their research and were later offered job in the same university. Life was happy for a few months till jiju had an accident. He was paralysed. Di took complete care of him, did everything for him, worked hard and took care of the house. A few weeks after their third anniversary, jiju was no more. Di was shaken, but she decided to stay strong. She decided to continue living in the US because she didn't wanna come back as a loser. Di never even met me all these years except during my wedding. She would always only talk over the phone and occasionally Skype. Life's been tough on her, bhai. I wish i could just give her all the happiness in the world." Bulbul concluded with a sigh.
Abhi looked a little taken aback. This woman, his best friend, had suffered so much during these years. His pain looked small to him right now. He slowly got up amd walked towards Pragya's room. After knocking the door, he carefully entered the room. He scanned the empty room for her and then noticed a silhouette in the balcony. Closing the door behind him, he went towards her, wiping a tear off his eye. She was standing there, staring at the sky, with a old and almost torn piece of paper clutched closely to her chest. A tear escaped her eye that she wiped off with the back of her hand.
Abhi stood at the door for a couple of seconds before he went to stand next to her. "Hey! Its alright!" He whispered, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Suresh is still here, watching over you. He'd hate to see you cry."
Pragya couldn't hold back anymore. She began crying, placing her head on his shoulder. "Why did he do this to me, Abhi! Why! I never complained. You know what Abhi, me and Suresh, we never had this marriage kind of relationship. We were friends before we left. Since both of us would be in the research together and were traveling together, we thought marriage was a good idea. We thought the relationship would eventually but that never happened. However, we were good friends always. We shared everything with each other Abhi, but, after the accident, i lost my friend. He rarely spoke to me after that, but i never complained. I believed that things would get better, that everything would be okay, but he gave up on me, Abhi." She wailed. "Shhh.. Prags.. Maybe he fought as long as he could, Pragya. Maybe he didn't have it in him anymore." Abhi tried to reason. "No Abhi.. He never fought. He was a quitter." She said handing him the piece of paper she held.
Dear Pragya,
I'm sorry I'm writing this letter to you. I know this is gonna make you very angry, but, i think this is the best i can do.
You're the best that ever happened to me, Pragya. Its in you that i saw a true friend and confidant. You stayed by me, stayed strong. You took care of me without complaints, without a crease on your forehead. But now, i think I've put you through enough. You have seen enough pain and suffering in life and i want you to be free now.
No I haven't given up on our friendship. I trust you. I know you will continue to take care of me all through your life without one complaint, but I don't want to see my best friend suffer. I want you to live a life you are worthy of. I want you to be happy. Have your fair share of love and joy.
You understood when mom forced us to get married. You understood when i told you that i loved you as a friend, nothing beyond. You understood that I wasn't ready for commitment. You understood everything for my sake Pragya. You did everything you could for me. Just this one time, let me do something for you.
On the day of the accident, i was coming home to tell you that i wanted to give this marriage a chance. I wanted to give us a chance. But maybe fate wanted it differently. But, i want you to Find yourself someone you love and who will love you just as much. Live a happy life with him. I will be watching you from wherever i am and when i see you with your love is when i rest in peace.
Suresh
"I never told this to anyone, Abhi. Bulbul and Purab don't know that Suresh ended his own life. I found this letter near his bed and and empty bottle of sleeping pills when i went to wake him up. He thinks he has sacrificed for me. But i hate him for doing this, Abhi. I hate him." Pragya cried.
"Hey.. Hey.. Don't say that. Think of it this way, he loved you enough to let you go. He knew you could take care of him, but just think from his point of view. He would have felt so helpless. He would have felt bad seeing you struggle so hard. He would have felt like a burden on you. Think, had you been in his place, how would you have felt?" Abhi tried to reason.
Pragya slowly looked up, trying to think about what Abhi was saying. He wiped off her tears and pointed to the sky. "He's up there, always looking at you. He must be hurting when you say you hate him. He wants to see you happy Prags and he wants you to lobe him, just like you did when he was around. Be brave, Prags and show him how happy you are. That'll make things easier for him as well." Abhi said.
Pragya calmed down after a while and wiped off the tears. She smiled looking Looking up at the sky. "I'm sorry, Suresh, it took me so long to understand why you did all this. I know you're up there listening to me. I'm sorry that i was mad at you for so long. I love you too buddy. And I can't believe this idiot had to explain things to me" she grinned looking at Abhi. "I promise I'll try to be happier now and you'll be proud of me. I miss you Suresh." She said looking back at the sky. Abhi was happy that Pragya was fine now.
Later that night, Pragya was lying on the bed, thinking about all that happened today. It had been a long long day with lots of revelations and lots of emotions. She was drained but she needed to thank Abhi for the support. She took out her phone and quickly typed a message.
[11.30 pm] Hey Stud boy, hope you reached home safe.
[11.31 pm] Thanks for being there today. Meant a lot. - Chashmish
Abhi had reached home and freshened up. He was just about to send a text to Pragya when he saw her message.
[11.35 pm] Hey chashmish.. Yeah reached.
[11.36 pm] i thought sorry and thank you was not a part of our relation
[11.36] but if you wanna be formal, i need to thank you too.
[11.37 pm] what would that be for?
[11.37 pm] you listened to me as well.. About dadi and al, about Tanu.
[11.37 pm] i felt so much better after talking to you.
[11.38 pm] go talk to dadi. You'll feel even better.
[11.39 pm] hmm.. I'm glad i have you back, Chashmish! I've missed you!
[11.40 pm] ditto, Abhi.. Good night!
[11.40 pm] good night, Prags! Sleep well.. See ya soon!
Abhi had a smile on his face. He put the phone aside as lay on his bed. He felt so relieved after ages. He had spoken his heart out for the first time and he was glad Pragya was there for him. Life looked so much better now. He knew there was someone around who understands him. Who wouldn't judge him and who would steer him to the right path if he made mistakes. Soon enough, he fell asleep.
A couple of weeks had passed. Abhi and Pragya had revived their old friendship and were constantly in touch. They would catch up every couple of days after Pragya's lectures. Every time they met, Pragya would ask him about dadi and when he was going back home. Abhi would somehow avoid the topic and steer around. Pragya was tired of this and was determined that she wanted to make things better for him. He was lonely and missed dadi and Aaliya . It was time he got his family back.
That evening, Pragya had messaged Abhi that she would pick him up and they were going out. Abhi was ready on time. Pragya picked him up from his apartment and drove of. "So chashmish, what's the plan? You tryin to kidnap me?" He chuckled. "Kind of! I need this thing done today. It's an important job." She said smiling at him. "By the way, I'm not chashmish anymore. I got rid of the chashma. So think of a new name stud boy! Or has your pea sized brain stopped working that you can't come up with anything new!" She challenged him. Abhi sulked and whined like a baby and looked out of the window.
Pragya stopped the car at the drive way and that's when Abhi noticed where they were. He realised the important job Pragya had was to get things sorted between him and dadi. He stared at Pragya surprised. "What? Don't give me that look. You've been avoiding the topic so long that i thought this was the best idea. Stop feeling awkward and go in. They're your family." Abhi realised that now, he had no escape. He had to face the ghosts of his past some day, so why not today. He slowly got out of the car. "Listen, i'll be at the cafe around the corner. Let me know once you're done." She said to him. She waited at the gate till he walked in and then drove off to the cafe.
So that's it for now.. Do tell me what you think about it :)
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Edited by BeingIyeristic - 9 years ago
CID
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
