Our Nameless Story - AbDeep FF - Part II

*Author's Note*

Things are not looking good for AbDeep in the show, but here in my fic it's alive and well (as is awesome feminist Deepika and not whatever we're getting these days). If you liked the chapter and/or have suggestions please leave a comment, I love hearing from you guys!

Read Part 1 here

Part II

Deepika held the door open to let Girija and Abhay pass through, then led them to the main area. Too late, she remembered what condition she had left the place in the morning.

She winced, looking around at the random shirts and jackets strewn around the chairs and couch in the living room, the dirty plates and utensils piling up on the dining table, coffee stained mugs on various counters and end tables, and socks and chips packets littering the floor.

“Ah, sorry,” she said embarrassedly, “the maid only comes once a week and I don’t get much time to clean so…” she gestured vaguely to the mess.

“It’s fine,” said Abhay.

“It’s beautiful,” Girija marveled. “This reminds me of where we used to live. Abhay, do you remember it? But the living room was on the opposite side. And our kitchen was a bit bigger. There was also the most lovely terrace. Some evenings Vinayak came home early enough to have tea together on the terrace while we watched the sunset.”

She paused, with a curious expression, “What happened to that house?”

“That man sold it after he kicked us out to buy his new wife a luxury flat,” Abhay said, scoffing in contempt.

“Abhay…” Deepika hissed, glaring at him as a signal to be quiet. They had no idea if Aunty was in a state to handle the truth right now.

“Yes, that’s right. Vinayak left us. He sold the house. Well, that’s alright,” Girija said with a shrug, “It’s better he sold it than live there with her. It would taint all the memories of the place.” She shook her head, as if to shake out any bad thoughts, then perked up as she spotted a painting. Very interesting artwork, the artist’s original?”

Deepika nodded. She and Abhay exchanged a glance. She couldn’t tell if Girija was lucid now or simply determined not to dwell on things that upset her.

“You’ve done a nice job here dear. A bright and cozy home with your own unique touch. Don’t worry about small messes. It’ll be cleaned in a jiffy.”

“Thanks Aunty, why don’t I show you to your room. You must want to freshen up before dinner.”

Deepika guided Girija towards the guest room. She glanced back to see if Abhay was following, but he was still rooted to the same spot.

“Abhay, what happened? The room is this way. Do you plan on sleeping out in the hall?”

“Are you sure this is okay with…” Abhay trailed off, the words “your boyfriend” dying in his throat. Deepika had neither confirmed nor denied when Sia asked her if she had a boyfriend. Try as he might, he couldn’t scrub the image of Deepika and Dr. Saxena embracing from his memory. The sound of Dr. Saxena saying ‘I love you Deepika’ was still ringing in his ears.

“Okay with who? This is my own house. I bought it from the money earned from my own hard work and sweat. I can have anyone stay here however long I wish. So don’t worry, no landlord is going to come by and demand I kick you out.”

“No landlord, but perhaps a jealous boyfriend might want to kick us out," Abhay thought glumly.

“Hm, did you say something?”

Abhay startled, did he say some of that out loud? “Nothing, I just have a tickle in my throat,” he said, forcefully clearing his throat. “Ahem. Ahem. There we go, all better. Room is this way?”

Deepika rolled her eyes exasperatedly. Abhay was still being so weird about the whole situation. She understood why he might feel odd staying in his boss’s house, but this was about a medical necessity. And she wasn’t going to be so bad of a host, she knew the etiquette of being polite and attentive to guests in your house. Abhay may have once nicknamed her ‘Lady Monster’ but she wasn’t actually going to gobble anyone up!

In the guest room, Girija was already making herself comfortable. She was sitting on the side of the bed, legs swinging over the edge. The tips of her toes barely grazed the floor due to the thick mattress. “Abhay, this bed feels like sitting on a cloud!” she exclaimed. She carefully ran her fingers over the sheets. Luckily the digits had been unburnt and the damage was relegated to the palms and a bit on the back of the hands. Burns on joints can prove difficult to heal, and may have resulted in permanently limited mobility. But Girija’s fingers were just fine based on the way they were dancing over the sheets. “So soft…” she crooned.

Deepika smiled seeing Girija’s antics. She was like a joyful little kid. “Aunty is really enjoying the bed. That’s good, she will sleep comfortably. Right, Abhay?” Deepika looked beside her expecting to see Abhay’s signature smile, but Abhay didn’t seem amused. Instead there was sadness in his eyes.

She pulled him to the corner out of Girija’s earshot.

“Hey, what happened?” she asked quietly.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen Aai so cheerful, and over such a simple thing. It takes so little to make her happy, but I can’t even afford that for her.”

Seeing Girija’s delight, Abhay had suddenly felt terrible that he wasn’t able to provide his mother with such a nice bed at their home. After monthly expenditures, paying off medical debt for Girija’s treatments, and deposits to various savings funds, there wasn’t much left over from his meager salary for luxury items. Now the repairs to the kitchen were going to eat a big chunk into his savings and hiring a caretaker for Aai would leave no extra at all. Replacing big furniture items was out of the question for now.

But his mother had fulfilled his needs and more with even less.

“You know, my Aai worked two jobs at once to make ends meet. In the day she cooked for a cafeteria, and in the evenings she worked in a factory. She started early in the morning and would work late into the night. Sometimes she did night shifts on top of it and didn’t sleep at all. Between all of that, she still made my breakfast and tiffin and got me ready for school, and she always made sure that she was the one who received me from school and fed me a snack before leaving for her second job. She would avoid taking sick days. She took extra shifts whenever she could. She barely ever had any time to herself. She could’ve worked less, but she wanted to make sure I got the best education, new clothes and shoes… While she herself wore tattered clothes and shoes with holes. Everything was for me and she ran herself ragged to do it. Who knows, the exhaustion may have caused her heart condition. Then she denied an angioplasty to pay my fees for medical college, leading to her heart attack and resulting in vascular dementia… If only I had known, or realized sooner about her symptoms.”

Abhay stared up at the ceiling, willing his tears not to fall. “I want to become India’s best cardiothoracic surgeon for Aai. At least, I want to make my name and become something noteworthy as quickly as possible. But that will still take so many years. What am I doing to give her any happiness now?”

“Your Aai knows your ambitions, and she is proud of them. That gives her happiness,” Deepika said consolingly.

“And what about comforts? My mother ruined her health to give me luxuries we wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford. But what have I given her in return? Nothing. I’m still a while off from making a good salary, and at the rate Aai is slipping, who knows how much longer she may be able to enjoy these things?”

“Abhay, Aunty has no regrets about what she sacrificed for you in the past, and she has no demands from you for the future. Her only expectation is that you respect her sacrifice and focus on your dreams. I agree, it’s natural to want to provide for your parents when they worked so hard to provide for you. But the reason they worked so hard is so that their child doesn’t have to face the same struggles they did. When I first came to Mumbai, I had nothing but a suitcase of clothes. I had a small piggy bank in which I saved my pocket money, which had just enough to buy a train ticket from Patna to Mumbai and a couple day’s worth of lodging and food. I spent one night sleeping on a park bench. The only room I could find on short notice for a single girl without any advance was literally someone’s storeroom.”

“Are you serious? You stayed in the storeroom?” asked Abhay incredulously.

“Yep, there was a beat up old mattress in there I used for my bed, an ancient table fan that spun so slowly that I could have spun faster, and one light bulb that hung from the ceiling. Oh, and there were also Chikoo and Pinki.”

“Who are Chikoo and Pinki? They tried to cram more girls in there with you?”

“Actually, they were already there. Chikoo was a lizard, and Pinki a mouse.”

“You named the pests in your room? You’re mad,” Abhay laughed.

“Hey, don’t call them pests. We stayed together for four months and they were pretty quiet and kept to their own corners. I had worse roommates at the women’s hostel where I stayed next. And there was always a line for the toilet. At least with the storeroom I had the outhouse to myself.”

Abhay nodded sympathetically. Living in a chawl (tenement), he was well aware of the pains of having to share a public toilet.

“But my point is, I still have good memories of those places, even with all the inconveniences. Do you know why?”

“No, why?”

“Because I was working towards my dream. It might’ve not been like how I imagined it, but I experienced real freedom for the first time in my life. I made my own choices, I decided my own fate, not anyone else. Your mother’s dream is you, for whom she is willing to make any sacrifice and put up with any hardship. I made the choice to let go of my past life, while it was forced away from your mother. We both lost a lot in that process, and we both still have fond memories of that life. That doesn’t mean we resent our current lives. Your mother probably feels peace knowing she did her best to provide you with a good upbringing. Every time you achieve something, the pride and joy it brings her becomes associated with that place and her struggles which made it possible.”

Abhay considered what Deepika was saying. “So you mean, because my Aai believes her difficulties were worth it, I shouldn’t bother with providing her with more? I’ll be honest, that doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.”

“That’s not what I’m saying. You should provide her with more. But I feel like you don’t know what ‘more’ is. Didn’t you hear your mother when she was reminiscing about your house? She wasn’t fixated on the size of the rooms, or the quality of the furniture. She was thinking about the terrace where she drank tea with her former husband. Where they spent quality time together. Even if she no longer has the terrace or the husband, no one can take that memory from her. So, instead of focusing on giving Aunty stuff, why don’t you focus on giving her moments and experiences? Something she can hold on to as happy memories, even when she doesn’t remember other things. You yourself said it doesn’t take much to cheer her up. For Aunty, at any time the past can become her present. You should try to maximize the good times spent with Abhay, so that those are the memories at the forefront, not Vinayak.”

“Moments and experiences…” Abhay reiterated. “Ok, I can try that. I’ll think of some things.”

“Good, think of them later. It’s past 9 o’clock and I’m starving. Let’s get ready for dinner.” Deepika walked back to Girija. “Aunty, do you need anything?”

“I want to take a bath… There is a strange odor coming from my clothes,” said Girija, wrinkling her nose.

“It’s the smell of smoke, it lingers. You can’t take a full bath with your bandages. Tomorrow when the aide comes she’ll give you a sponge bath. Why don’t I help you wash your face and change your clothes for now? You will feel a little fresh.” Deepika called to Abhay, “I’ll change Aunty’s clothes, you should also change into something comfortable. The bathroom is to the left.”

Abhay nodded and went to freshen up in the bathroom. He changed into a sleep t-shirt and pajama shorts. Deepika was waiting to enter with Girija as he exited. Feeling Deepika’s eyes on him, Abhay suddenly felt very self-conscious of his bare legs and bit of exposed thigh. He tugged at the hem of his shorts, wishing they were longer.

Deepika hid a laugh. Abhay was so strange, acting like a teenage girl wearing a short dress for the first time. She helped Girija in the bathroom then quickly cleared the dining room table. Finally, she went to her own room to change. Deepika pulled out her favorite pair of pajamas from her cupboard, but then hesitated. This set was rather old and well-worn. Maybe she should find something newer to wear.

“Now, why am I getting self-conscious,” Deepika muttered. She supposed no one had ever really seen her in her casual loungewear in years, and the first people to do so were going to be her junior resident and his mother. She had already outed herself as a bit of a slob, she didn’t want her appearance to be slovenly too. She put the pajamas back on the rack and rifled through the closet looking for other options. Everything else was also worn out, or had small holes or stains here and there. She sighed. She couldn’t even remember the last time she went clothes shopping. What was the point when she practically lived in scrubs? And the rest of the time she was usually alone in her home where no one saw the holes in her pajamas.

Her vision caught a bit of pale pink fabric stuffed at the bottom. It was a brand-new never worn night dress. The garb was a thank-you gift from the daughter of a former patient. Deepika had treated her mother, and the daughter owned a small boutique from which she brought a parcel. Deepika tried to refuse, but the daughter had insisted, pressing a brightly wrapped gift box into her hands. Deepika was flabbergasted when she opened the box and saw what was inside. She had assumed it was a top or something, but the luxurious night gown was unexpected. It was not something she was used to wearing, so it had been sitting in the back of her armoire for two years. It’s not like the gown wasn’t pretty. It was made of a blush colored satiny-silk material, full length skirt, wide v-neck with lace edging, and long billowy bell shaped chiffon sleeves. It was simply not Deepika’s style. She shrugged, deciding to try it on anyway. She gave an experimental twirl in the mirror. “I guess it’s not bad,” she thought. The fabric felt nice and smooth against her skin. The gown was a flattering style, not too form-fitting, but not shapeless. It looked elegant. Maybe it exposed a bit more of her shoulders than she would like, but it covered the needful. It looked appropriate for the role of a hostess. Deepika felt confident enough to wear it out.

She took out the containers of pre-prepared and stored food and put them into serving bowls. She was glad now that she had bought a full dinnerware set because she usually never needed any bowls or spoons that served more than one. She blew dust off some fancy placemats and arranged them. Lastly she set out the plates and silverware and glasses. Nervously drumming her fingers on the table, Deepika decided that the dinner table looked presentable. “Abhay, Aunty, dinner is ready!” she called.

They sat themselves down.

“The food is a bit simple. Actually, I just finished a mourning period, so I had made plain food for the ritual and a lot was left over. But it’s very nutritious which will be good for Aunty, and I promise it won’t taste too bad. I’m not at Aunty’s level, but I’m a decent cook.”

“You lost someone recently?” Girija asked sympathetically.

“Actually, it was not that recent, but I only found out about it recently,” Deepika said softly. She still found it painful that her father couldn’t even forgive her enough to attend his last rites, and thus had forbidden anyone from informing his daughter of his passing. Nor was she told about his cancer. Despite being a doctor, she was prevented from helping her own father with his illness. Her father had told her that she must choose between her family or profession. She had always thought one day she would change his mind, show him that the two didn’t have to be at odds, that her achievements would add to the family’s honor, not detract from them. But time had beaten her in the race. She had been unable to overturn the ingrained patriarchal mindset that a girl’s personal growth and ambitions meant nothing in the face of marriage and “womanly duties”. She would never hear from her father’s own mouth that he was proud of her.

“Are you alright dear? It’s never easy to lose anyone. They say time heals all wounds, but scars do remain. You try not to show anyone your scars, don’t you,” Girija noted with a perceptive gaze.

“It’s nothing like that Aunty.” Deepika answered in what she hoped was a convincing tone. ”Please, you start your dinner. Let me serve you.” She jumped up and spooned rice and curry onto Girija’s plate. “This much okay? Let me know if you want more. Abhay, how much rice for you?”

Abhay didn’t answer. He seemed distracted by something. He was looking in Deepika’s direction, but his eyes were fixated below her face, flitting up and down the length of her body.

Deepika looked down confusedly at herself. Did she spill any curry on her dress? No, it looked clean. “Abhay?” she repeated.

“Huh?”

“I was asking how much rice you want.”

“Uh… I… It’s ok, I’ll take it myself.” Abhay reached for the serving spoon, accidentally grasping Deepika’s hand that was still gripping the handle. Both froze, staring at their inadvertent hand hold.

Abhay quickly retracted his hand.

Deepika bit her lower lip in embarrassment. Fantastic. It was only the first night and they couldn’t even get through the dinner without awkwardness. How were she and Abhay going to stay together a whole week?

Finally, everyone managed to start eating dinner. Abhay helped feed Girija to avoid straining her injuries. Deepika watched him. How lucky was Abhay that he had such a supportive mother, that he was able to serve and cherish. Her mother didn’t even want to see her face. And how lucky was Girija to have a gem for a son. True, the gem had flaws, but that didn’t make it less beautiful in Deepika’s eyes. Sometimes, that which appeared perfect was simply a fake, like a stone made of glass. It may sparkle with artificial shine, but it's true nature can't be hidden. Something real and true was always more valuable, no matter the imperfections.

Deepika noticed that in between his own bites and feeding Girija, Abhay was also watching her. But his eyes seemed to be wandering all over.

Why on earth did Abhay seem fascinated by her collarbones? You would think he had never seen a clavicle before. Or maybe he was looking at her neck? Deepika pretended to massage her neck, surreptitiously checking for swollen lymph nodes and other lumps. Everything felt normal to her but perhaps she should examine it closer in the mirror after dinner.

"So when are you two planning on getting married?" asked Girija casually.

Both Deepika and Abhay were stunned.

"Aai, what are you saying? I'm engaged! I've already made a commitment!" Abhay spluttered.

"I know you're committed," Girija laughed, "but surely you plan to move ahead at some point."

"Aai, what are you saying… How can I just move on? How can you of all people say that?"

"Arre, relax Abhay. I’m not saying to do it now. You are both so dedicated to your jobs, I know you hardly have a minute to think of anything else. Take your time with preparations. Engagements being small are alright. But families’ hopes and emotions are connected with a wedding. Even I wish for my son's marriage to be grand. If I have to wait for that, I will do so happily. I was just teasing you. The way you two are staring at each other, I was thinking you may be in a hurry to get married!"

Abhay was at a loss at what to say. He didn't understand at all what Girija was saying. Surely she was not telling him to leave Sia and marry Deepika!

"Abhay… I think Aunty may be confused," Deepika said cautiously, "Aunty, I'm Deepika, Dr. Deepika Sinha, not Dr. Sia Advani."

"Yes dear, I know you're Deepika. Abhay has taken your name so many times. He can't stop saying it! He adores you, and I see why. Good choice Abhay, even I like your would-be wife and my future daughter-in-law very much," Girija said with a warm smile.

"Aai, Deepika isn't--" Abhay started, but suddenly Girija started coughing violently.

"Aunty!"

"Aai, what happened?!"

"I think she's choking!" exclaimed Deepika, "Quickly, do the Heimlich maneuver," she directed Abhay.

Girija coughed again a couple times and waved her hand to signal she was fine. "I'm fine. Just got a bit of food stuck in my throat, that's all. It's fine. You doctors act like everything is an emergency!"

"Thank goodness. Here, drink some water," Deepika refilled Girija's glass with the pitcher.

"Thank you dear."

"Ok Aai, if you're done with your dinner, you should go to sleep. It's getting late and after what happened today you need rest," said Abhay.

"I am a little tired," Girija admitted. Abhay helped his mother to the room, while Deepika cleared the table.

She filled the kitchen sink with soapy water and started washing the dishes, lost in thought. There was so much going on lately, at the hospital, and now at her home.

Abhay came up behind her. "Need any help?"

"No, I'll do it. It's impolite to make guests work."

"Come on Deepika, I'm not the Queen of England. You don't have to wait on me hand and foot. You are doing me and my mother a huge favor. The least I can do is help with chores."

"Ok, you can help if you want."

Abhay stood next to her and grabbed a dish rag. "I know what happened at dinner must've been awkward for you. Aai has trouble remembering Sia. She must have remembered I am engaged, but didn't remember who with. Since we are staying at your place she must've assumed it was you."

"It's no problem Abhay, I understand."

"Thanks," Abhay said smiling. "Your sleeves are getting wet," he observed.

"Oh. I wasn't paying attention. I'm not used to wearing this kind of thing."

"Yeah," Abhay said amusedly, "I never imagined you wearing this kind of thing either. It's a bit fancy for outside the bedroom."

At Deepika's mortified expression, Abhay hurriedly corrected himself, "Sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. You can wear whatever you want in your house." He attempted to assuage her, "Why don't I wash the dishes and you dry?"

Deepika nodded without looking at him.

An awkward silence descended. They exchanged duties and Deepika focused on the task at hand, vigorously drying the dishes, cheeks burning with embarrassment.

She now regretted ever pulling this gown out of her cabinet. She had thought it was just nightwear as it was fairly modest, but in reality she was strutting around in high-end lingerie. That's why Abhay had been staring at her oddly. She had probably made a fool of herself by making him think she was trying to catch his attention. No wonder Girija thought she was Abhay's fiancee!

They finished doing the dishes. Deepika shuffled her feet. "Um, do you want something before bed?"

"No, I'm alright. Thank you again for opening your home to us. I really appreciate what you're doing for my mother," Abhay said sincerely.

"I'm doing it for you." Deepika blinked. Where had that thought come from?

"It's no problem. Any time."

"Good night Deepika."

"Good night Abhay."

They returned to their respective bedrooms.

Deepika quickly ripped off the gown and sought the comfort of her ratty pajamas. She was going to burn this night gown!

Finally back in familiar clothes, she collapsed on the bed feeling exhausted.

"Tomorrow, I'll do better," she decided.

Tagging people that may be interested in the update. Please let me know if you want to be added to the tag list for future updates!

What a beautiful story continuation on AbDeep by you, @ShinyMishka! 😳❤️

Please continue the story soon 😳

Thanks for the tag, dear! 🤗

this was such a lovely episode. yes, am calling it an episode because I was fully imagining the scene in my head and it was flawlessly beautiful

Reading about Deepika's house condition made me groan thinking about mine. Every single person's story ever. loved how Abhay's mom is so comfortable with Deepika and the staring contest between Abhay and Deepika. The awkwardness between the two and Deepika being self-conscious; all of these feel like a sweet high school love story. After all, love makes one do all sorts of weird things. Can't wait for the next chapter

Thanks for the tag 😀. Ff is awesome 👌 . 🥰🤩😘💫💕💗

Mishka, Thanks for the tag❤️

This was so so good....I could imagine the whole scene play out😳

Deepika & Abhay's talks here actually allows to see that Abhay being young doesn't understand certain things & Deepika as an experienced individual can help him see that.

Deepika's confusion of choosing a Night Dress probably stemmed from her not being with anyone or even a friend in close quarters (even for sleepovers) with her from 10years. Ofcourse, one gets confused and one wouldn't want to be shabbily dressed infront of someone who is your junior in the same workspace.

So thankful, she chose the gown though.

I hope the gown doesn't meet the end Deepika seems to be planning for it🤣

hey thanks for tag. yes i will be very very interested to read this ff

your writing is so beautiful that the whole scenes are in front of our eyes. good job done.

Deepika so beautifully explained to Abhay what he can do for his Aai. in the persuit of material things we mostly forget that spending time with your loved ones is what everyone craves the most

the night dress fiasco was hilarious in itself. poor deepika

This was super fun to read! The awkwardness felt palpable and organic!

And as Dr. Deepika rightly pointed out, can't wait to see what moments and experiences the trio gets up to through the week. It'll probably have to start with shopping for some loungewear though! 😂

Can already feel the relief that's going to flood through Dr. Abhay when he realizes that the supposed jealous boyfriend has no authority here.

Low-key hoping that the ship doesn't die on the show because of all the potential that can be explored with their personal and professional dynamic. Nevertheless, really glad that we'll get to live that through this fic.

Originally posted by: SONIA441

Mishka, Thanks for the tag❤️

This was so so good....I could imagine the whole scene play out😳

Deepika & Abhay's talks here actually allows to see that Abhay being young doesn't understand certain things & Deepika as an experienced individual can help him see that.

Deepika's confusion of choosing a Night Dress probably stemmed from her not being with anyone or even a friend in close quarters (even for sleepovers) with her from 10years. Ofcourse, one gets confused and one wouldn't want to be shabbily dressed infront of someone who is your junior in the same workspace.

So thankful, she chose the gown though.

I hope the gown doesn't meet the end Deepika seems to be planning for it🤣

Thank you! That was what I was going for. Both Abhay and Deepika lack experience in certain things. Abhay needs life experience to understand priorities and Deepika needs a social life. 😆 We'll see about the fate of the gown, maybe it'll make a reappearance. 😈