||SS : Soulmate|| Chapter 22 Page 79 :) - Page 59

Chapter 21 : The Past meets the Present - Page 78

Chapter 22

Sneak Peek!

"Tanu, this is Pragya, my friend I told you about. Pragya, this is Tanu." Abhi introduced.

"His wife!" Tanu added, making Abhi and Nikhil cringe and Pragya swallow a lump in her throat. "This is going to be a tough job!" Pragya thought to herself as she masked her disappointment with a smile.

"Hey Tanu! How do you feel now?" she asked, holding her hand forward.

"Much better that Abhi is here with me. I was surprised that he wasn't at the Hospital, you know but then how told me how he was stuck due to the bad weather here. I hate Mumbai rains." Tanu sighed. Pragya smiled at her and looked at Abhi who just shrugged.

"Tanu you should get some rest. You have just barely been discharged and then travelled so long. Nikhil, could you take Tanu's luggage to that room over there?" he said pointing towards one of the three bedrooms in the pent house apartment. Nikhil nodded and walked away with the luggage.

"This guy is really nice Abhi. I never liked that previous manager of yours. When did we hire him? I know I have lost the last couple of years of our life and I don't remember a lot of stuff. I am such a bother, aren't I Abhi?" Tanu sighed with a hint of tear in her eyes.

"No Tanu, it's alright. Nikhil came on board a few months ago."

"He's really efficient Abhi. And Pragya, Abhi told me you were here since the last year and how you are an asset to his team with your marketing skills. He also mentioned that you and I bonded well. But I don't remember that either. I feel terrible right now. I hope we can go back to being friends. Can we Pragya?" she looked at her pitifully.

"Of course Tanu. We can! But before that, you need to rest and be okay. Why don't you go and lie down while I get you something to eat?"

"Thank you Pragya, I'm famished! Abhi, can you walk me to the room? I feel dizzy." She looked up at him pouting. He nodded and led her into the room as Nikhil came out, looking distraught.

"Would you like to have something?" Pragya asked him to which he shook his head. "No Pragya, thank you. I think I should make a move. I don't think I will be able to take her indifference anymore." He sighed.

"Nikhil, I won't say I understand. If Abhi ever turns away from me, God knows, I'll stop breathing. All I can tell you is that have faith. Everything will be alright." She consoled him. He gave her a nod and left the apartment. Pragya wiped the small tear at the corner of her eye as she walked into the kitchen thinking about what she had just said to Nikhil.

She couldn't even get herself to imagine how it would be living without Abhi. He was her world, the one person her life revolved around. Her day began with his childlike enthusiasm and ended with the comfort of his arms.

She walked back to Tanu's room with a plate of food and knocked on the door. She could see Tanu sulking and Abhi standing beside the bed, trying to explain something.

"Pragya! Thank God you are here. You're his best friend right, put some sense into his brain then." Tanu pouted.

"What's wrong?" she asked, keeping the plate on the table next to Tanu and sitting beside her.

"He says he won't be staying in this room with me. He's going to be in the room across. That's not fair!" she sulked while Pragya's face lit up. Abhi chuckled at her expression and turned his attention back to Tanu.

"Tanu, understand, you need to rest as much as possible. You're weak and I want you to get well. I being around is only going to disturb you with my erratic work schedules. I also have some new albums to record and I need to rehearse which will be disturbing if I am here. I am right across the hall. Come on!" Abhi tried convincing her.

"Okay, fine! Do as you wish. But you're only allowed to leave this room after I sleep. You will also have to feed me whenever you're home. Is that a deal?" Tanu asked, blinking her eyes at him. Abhi sighed dramatically before smiling and agreeing to her wish. He looked towards Pragya for reassurance which she gave him with a small smile and a nod. Excusing herself, she walked out of the room. Picking her cell phone from the table, she walked over to the terrace attached to her room to talk to Aaliya and Bulbul. She knew that the girls and Dadi would be waiting to know how it went. Besides, she wanted someone to talk too. Though she had agreed to do this, seeing Tanu with Abhi hadn't been easy on her and she knew Abhi was uncomfortable too.

As she was talking to Aaliya, walking across the length of the terrace, she noticed a door at the other end. She turned the knob and entered through the door only to reach the other bedroom, the one Abhi said he would be in. Her heart swelled with happiness as she realised why he wanted to be in this room.

"Bhabhi.. Bhabhi, are you there? Hello? Why did you suddenly go so quiet?" Aaliya asked from the other end, breaking her thoughts.

"Nothing Al, I'm here. I'll just call you back later okay? Take care of Dadi and yourself and Tell Bulbul I'll talk to her tomorrow, okay? I love you!" she put the phone down and turned around to leave from the terrace when the bedroom door creaked open and Abhi entered.

"Hey wife!" her stood there smiling at her after he closed the door behind him. Unable to hold back her emotions anymore, she rushed into his arms. He held her tight and inhaled fragrance. "Do you have any idea how much I love you?" she nuzzled into his neck.

"Not really Prags, maybe you should demonstrate." Abhi chuckled as she pulled back embarrassed. "You're shameless. Tanu is right across the hall!" she punched his arm.

"And I have my wife here with me." He replied, cupping her face. Taking her hand in his, he led her to the bed, making her sit. Kneeling down in front of her, he held her arms in his.

"Pragya, I know it must be difficult for you to see me and Tanu together. I know you must be uncomfortable."

"No abhi.. Its.." Pragya shook her head.

"Don't deny it Prags. I saw your disappointment when she introduced herself as my wife. I how uncomfortable you got when she held my hand. I saw the happiness on your face when I said I wasn't staying in the same room as her. I know it's hard, Pragya, but you have to trust me. I love you and only you and that's not going to change for the rest of my existence. I just wanted you to know." He kissed her hands.

She took in a deep breath and held his face in her palms. "I know Abhi. I know that you love me and believe me, I trust you more that I trust anyone on this planet and that includes me. This was all my idea and I know you are not in a very comfortable position either. But Abhi, all that matters to me is your love and as long as I have you with me, I will always be fine."

He smiled and got back to his feet. "Okay then, I'm starving. Can I get some food?" Pragya nodded and was about to walk out when he held her hand. "Why don't you get your plate too while I have a quick shower. I know you haven't has anything to eat either."

"But Abhi, Tanu.."

"She's asleep Prags. And I want to have dinner with my wife. Relax, it's alright." She nodded and walked out of the room. She first peeped into Tanu's room to see that she had indeed been sleeping and then went into the kitchen to set their plates.

She stood still at the door of his room as she saw him standing in front of the mirror in his towel, combing his hair. She gasped as she saw the drops of water cascade down his body and disappear into his towel.

"Like what you see Mrs Mehra?" he winked, coming closer to her, making her go red with embarrassment. She quickly moved away and entered the room. Placing the tray on the small coffee table in the corner of the room, she picked up his t-shirt from the bed and threw it across the room towards him. He chuckled as he caught the tee and put it over.

"Hmm, smells delicious. I thought we were having Dal chawal for dinner. That's what you brought in for Tanu, right? Where did the Paneer come from?" he asked, sitting across Pragya on the table.

"I thought Tanu was the only one unwell. Why wouldn't I feed my husband good food?" Pragya shrugged, making him laugh.

"Uhh Abhi, what did you tell her about me having marketing skills? What was that about?"

"Knowing Tanu, if I told her that I had a female friend living with me, she would get insecure. That's how she was. So I told her that you were not only a friend but a part of the team as well and that I needed you around to handle my business. Nikhil met her in Australia as my manager who had been asked by me to be with her, to take care of her."

"That explains her talks. Abhi, have you spoken to Nikhil? What did the doctor say?"

"Well, she has been referred to another specialist here in Mumbai, who we can consult further. He also said that in cases like these, generally, the patient recollects things gradually, once they are out of their trauma. We will just have to wait and watch. Her next appointment with Dr Khan is on Saturday, four days from now."

"So we need to wait and see how things work out for now! Anyway, it's late. We should sleep Abhi. You have a meeting tomorrow with Mr Patel." She picked up the plates and walked out of the room. Abhi sighed and moved towards the bed. As he was about to lie down, Pragya came in again. "Abhi, can you come back home by 2? I have a meeting in college at about 3.30 for allotment of next year's classes?"

"Sure! Prags, come in here for a minute please." He said holding his hand out to her. She closed the door behind her and walked in, placing her hands in his. He pulled her swiftly into his arms, making her crash into his chest. He inched closer to her and placed his lips over hers, kissing her softly. "Good Night! I love you!" he whispered into her ears as he pulled back. "Love you too, Abhi. And call Dadi before you sleep. She might be worrying. I spoke to her in the evening but she would want to hear your voice."

"Yeah I will. Sleep well!" he said as she walked out of the room.

The next morning, Pragya woke up with the sound of her alarm going off. She groaned in her sleep and snuggled further into the warmth, inhaling the scent, which was so much like Abhi's. "Prags! Shut the alarm.. Let me sleep!" she heard him say. She felt the pillow beside her move and that broke her sleep. Slowly opening her eyes, she saw her gorgeous husband sleeping next to her, with his arms and legs wrapped around her. She woke up with a start and looked around. She shut the alarm and turned towards him.

"Abhi., Abhi wake up! What are you doing here?" she asked shaking him awake.

"Huh! What?" he woke up disoriented.

"Abhi!! Why are you in my room? When did you get in here? I had locked the door!" Pragya panicked while he looked at her with a smirk.

"What?"

"The terrace, prags. You forget our rooms are connected. Besides, I was missing you. I couldn't sleep." He looked at her with a sad face making her want to kiss him senseless. She moved towards him and almost kissed him when they heard the sound of something dropping on the floor outside. Pragya quickly moved away and walked towards the door. She opened it slightly peeking out to see Tanu in the kitchen. She quickly closed the door and locked it behind her.

"Abhi you need to leave. Tanu is awake and I don't want her to see us. What if she goes to your room to look for you?" she panicked.

"Pragys relax, my room is locked. She can't get in. I am smart you know!" he winked.

"Abhi this is no time for a joke. Just go back please!" she pulled him out of the bed and pushed him towards the terrace.

"But my morning kiss?" he pouted.

"Mr Abhishek Prem Mehra, If you don't go back to your room right now, forget the kiss, I wouldn't even let you touch me." She threatened. He raised his hand and pretended to be scared and turned around to go.

"You know what, I feel like a silly teenager sneaking in to meet his girlfriend, only, you are not my girlfriend, but my wife!" he said and walked away, leaving a smile on her face. She picked up her cell phone and caressed his picture on her screen. Opening up her chats, she quickly typed a message.

*Sorry for pushing you away, dear husband, but I promise to make up soon. Love you, teenage boyfriend*

*I'll be waiting. Do I have the option to choose how I want you to make it up to me? Love you too, girlfriend.

p.s. you look your sexy the first thing in the morning!"

*I'll let you choose this time. Now stop making me blush and freshen up. I'm heading out.*

Putting the phone away, she quickly freshened up and walked out of the room.