Abhigya FF - DEAL (Completed chap-8, page 28) - Page 16

Pragya wanted Abhi to release his album. She wanted to divert his attention back to his career. She took Dadi's help to convince Abhi to release his album but that didn't work. Then she contacted Abhi's Masiji in Canda to convince Abhi without taking Pragya's name and finally Abhi agreed.

The day when album was to be released, Pragya had an important meeting in Finance Ministry in Delhi. She arrived late to attend the release party, spent fifteen minutes at the venue, checked all the arrangements and left for airport to catch next flight to Delhi.

A wife should fulfill all her duties as far as possible - as her mother always told her, that's what Pragya was doing. Her heart was still bleeding but somewhere in her heart she had a hope that Abhi loves her.

Now they used to talk rarely and Abhi's eyes always seemed to be guilty. He was not seen in the living area anymore or playing with his nephews. He was spending most of his time in his new Music studio-cum-office. He never looked happy after that day.

As Pragya had guessed, Abhi's album was an instant hit. Soon it was popular not only in India, but in other Southeast Asian nations as well. Music was catchy, beats were new. And Abhi's persona and talent were unbeatable by any existing star. There was a huge demand for his music. She had no role to play in this venture but she made sure the demand should meet the supply by indirectly helping Abhi's staff.

Abhi had become very busy. He was continuously getting calls, invitation for concerts. Hardly anytime left for himself, one of the reasons he wanted to postpone the release. Abhi knew that he had spoiled his relationship with Pragya. Still he was sure of two things - No divorce and no child. He craved to see his innocent Pragya back. But he was ready to wait and give her time to heal her wounds before taking her back to the field and this time Abhi and Pragya together as a team against his father. He was in no hurry this time. In reality he was still not ready to face his father.

Pragya was seeing where things were heading to. Inner-circle was getting impatient to end the game. There was no one left to control them or lead them. They all wanted Abhi to join and Pragya to leave. Pragya was trying to avoid the worst. Thankfully this time Abhi wasn't part of it. He was busy in his world. Pragya was not the one to give up. She wanted to try one last time.

This time Pragya had an upper hand on the situation. She was more or less sure that Abhi loves her and misses her. Abhi's Masiji had been calling Pragya to check on Abhi's changed behavior. Abhi was not calling her enough and never sounded cheerful. Abhi was definitely a changed person after that incident. Pragya had been observing Abhi for long enough to understand the reason. Now Pragya had two options, either play with his emotions in an ugly manner or make him accept the deal.

Abhi was in his music studio when one of the inner-circle members visited him. He told him that his wife was spending unusual amount of time with a particular young business associate. He could help to prove that Pragya was cheating on Abhi. And he would also convince rest of the inner-circle members to let couple file for the divorce.

Once again Abhi was offered a simple plan with easy exit by Pragya.

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Pragya was fumed on Abhi's behavior. She had planned it so well. She had wasted so much time with that brainless fellow. But Abhi didn't even blink an eye on hearing her extra-marital affair news. She was expecting Abhi to be angry on her, fight with her and in turn she would either make Abhi to confess his love and accept the deal OR force him to divorce her that anyways he wouldn't choose. In both the cases, Abhi would end up accepting the deal to keep Pragya in his life. This was Pragya's full-proof plan. But the problem was Abhi was not reacting. This was indeed very unusual behavior from his side. His wife was going on lunch/dinner with someone else, opening showing her liking for that fellow in social gatherings and Abhi was quiet.

This was not the Abhi that Pragya got married to. Abhi's behavior was very puzzling for Pragya. Abhi was no more interested in playing any game further, he had completely given up. Abhi had made very clear to inner-circle people that he would never give divorce to Pragya. And once again he made a mistake -his second mistake.

Pragya had to discuss with him. Abhi was taking forever to come forward and Pragya had no time to wait. Pragya did not want to talk in their room. That room was full of many beautiful memories of their past. The time they had spent together, Abhi's travel stories, their discussions on political and social matters while having tea together and their passionate moments. She had been asking Abhi to come to her office to discuss something but she was not getting any definite answer until one morning when Pragya reached her office, Abhi was already in her cabin.

Pragya was very angry on Abhi's behavior. She had never got a chance to vent out her anger on his betrayal and now he was avoiding Pragya after knowing her plan to divorce him. He was not coming to home, neither picking up her calls nor replying to her messages.

"What's your problem?"

"I'm missing tea that you used to make for me."

"I'm not asking about your food cravings."

"Ok, I've another problem, I'm missing my wife."

"Once you get both of these, will you do the required?"

Abhi came closer to Pragya and said -

"What if I may want to have both of these again, and again, and again."

"You have to make a choice. If your answer in No then you have to let me go."

Abhi pinned Pragya to the wall. She was trapped between two strong arms and a pair of deep eyes.

"Fine, but first tell me you don't love me."

Pragya's face had turned red with anger. Rather than confessing his love, Abhi was checking out Pragya's feelings. She wanted Abhi to be mad at her, shout at her but not THIS!

All her emotions were filled to the brim and about to spill. She looked away. Abhi moved her face back towards him and asked her again.

"Just tell me once that you don't love me and I'll do whatever you ask."

Pragya wanted to leave the room. There was no point in talking further. No way was Abhi going to give her divorce. But Abhi wasn't letting her go. He wanted the answer.

Pragya wanted to hear Abhi's feelings. She had not created all this drama to confess her love for him. All this while, Pragya had been wearing a mask in front of him and no way Pragya was going to uncover herself without his confession first.

Pragya decided to tell him that she had killed all her feelings for him. She did not even want to look at him and hates his presence in her life. Pragya looked up back in those eyes and she said -

"I...I don't...I love you. " And she clinged to Abhi's chest and started crying.

There was no way Pragya could lie to Abhi. Somehow she could never lie to him from the first day of their marriage. She was hurt, deeply hurt but she knew that Abhi is also in pain, equally or may be more.

Pragya's decision to accept cheating on her husband had completely shattered Abhi. How could she even think of such undignified reason? Abhi's whole perspective for Pragya was completely changed. He knew from the beginning she was not after money. She was working on a salary, still holding her old flat. She wasn't even after power and control, she was ready to leave him to his girlfriend. By accepting all fraud charges, she had chosen to let her name go once for all. And now her dignity as well.

Abhi was holding her in his arms. He had no heart to see his doll crying. He cupped Pragya's face, wiped her tears and started kissing her all over her face. He wanted to apologies to her, tell her all about his feelings. And then Abhi also said the same three words to Pragya.

"Abhishek, please say Yes to the deal."

"No"

"Pragya, please give me a chance. I'll fix everything. You don't have to do anything just support me. Just trust me once."