Tracker was within reach of the most eligible bachelor after Abhay and he was miles away. If only he spoke to her the way he was with Pia and Misha. What was wrong with her? the only boy who paid any attention to her was Angad and he wasn't really her type. Yeah he was funny and all but he didn't make her heart skip a beat like all the other boys did. Tracker wanted to just go up there and scream LOOK AT ME PEOPLE! Just so they'd take notice of her. it was so frustrating Aahh. Tracker managed to slip past Misha who was now deep in conversation with Rosa. It was the best time to make her move. She'd just hoped Shaurya's attention would all be on her.
Tracker offered Shuatrya a drink-Here this one i specially ordered for U. So are U staying here long?
Shaurya gave her a little grin-No thanks i've had my limit. I'm not much of a drinker. Sorry!
Tracker pulls a sad face-I brought this for U with love and U are rejecting it. It's rude to give away a free gift. It goes against the code of friendship.
Shaurya watches Tracker and gives in. He didn't want Tracker to be sad on his watch-Fine then if U insist. I'm just glad not everyone is offering me a drink. If bro saw me he'd skin me alive.
Tracker passes the glass over to him a little prematurely spilling it all over his shirt-I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do that. I'm such a klutz.
Misha turned around from her conversation with Rosa. They were both laughing at Shaurya-Sorry but that's just so Tracker! Great job as usual.
Tracker felt bad. She gets out a tissue from her bag and starts wiping away the liquid-I didn't do it on purpose. The glass just had a mind of its own.
Rosa chuckled-I'm sure it did. U might as well finish off giving Shaurya a body rub.
Tracker went red-I'm so sorry!
Shaurya wasn't comfortable around Tracker now-U know what leave the shirt i might as well just take it off.
Misha held her breath for a few seconds. He was what? Taking his shirt off-I'm sure it will dry up. No need to put your skin on show!
Shaurya didn't know what to make of Misha's sudden outburst-I'm not keeping this on for Tracker to touch me. No offense but i'm feeling a little hot in here anyway.
Misha told herself to shut up. Why did it bother her by what he was doing anyway? She didn't care she'd told herself. Today was going over her head. Was it the drink? She'd had a few to get her in the party mood. Misha looked away towards Kabir's direction. She needed a distraction. Yeah a distraction. Kabir was the best man for the job. He normally had her in stitches with his regular teasing on Tracker's wish list and her different tactics to snare a man. Only problem was he was with T. What the hell was she doing here? The week they'd been away was the best no sign of T and her minions. The witches of Eastwick or in their case. The witches of Dehradun. Save Me thought Misha. No doubt Queen T will try to get Shaurya too. The girl was a player. She was trying to outrun Abhay and Kabir on who can date the most people with Abhay winning on those stakes with his multiple dates. She thought Abhay still had T as a backup. For some reason Abhay appeared to be no longer interested in T which made Misha become all Sherlock Holmes on why they were no longer together as he'd seemed to have moved on to Tara or was she getting the wrong idea altogether. Misha's head hurt. Pia these days made her head hurt due to her unpredictable behaviour. Then again she was probably off by a long way.
T and Kabir were bickering over the non invite. T was fuming with Kabir for excluding her from his trip. Kabir didn't care much for T but he'd wished he'd taken T just to get Abhay to back off of Pia. Kabir wasn't to know Abhay was going to gatecrash the event. T just made Kabir's skin crawl with her innuendo's. Sick girl made him wanna hurl. He was wasting his valuable time by even arguing with her. it was always about her.
Kabir moved to one side-T i don't have time for U and your little tantrums. Go find another scapegoat. Hell i've found one for U over there. Go to Abhay your favourite guy in the world. I'm sure he'll keep U occupied after all the two of U have the biggest egos here right? I git better things to do.
T smirks at Kabir-Better things to do with whom Kabir? The stupid girl your after is too busy cahsing after Abhay or haven't U heard the grapevine?
Kabir wasn't taking the bait-U know what T your gossip girl routine isn't going to flow with me. Besides Tracker posts a lot of nonsense and you'd be stupid to fall for anything she writes. I mean Pia has been hijacked by a ghost was something she'd posted right? Does she look any different to U?
T wasn't bothered-It hurt my feelings Kabir that you'd leave your ex out like that. I am the Queen B round here after all. I'm giving U another chance to be with me U fool.
Kabir corrected her-Were T. Were. Now U aren't anymore. U need Abhay or some cool happening guy for that. Abhay's ditched U right? So now U are hot on the heels of me well i'm not falling for it. I could give a rats a** about U.
T scoffed-Pia isn't the most happening girl Kabir. Wake up! She's so down market. Have U seen her dress sense? Well i mean her usual get up isn't exactly fetching now is it. Kitsch is what i'd describe her dress sense. She's not in the same league as me.
Kabir retaliated back-Exactly T. She's not in the running because she's in a league of her own and bows to no one. U can belittle her as much as U want but the bottom line is Pia's worth a thousand U's. In fact comparing her to anyone such as yourself is an insult to her so i'm not even going to bother. Rather than making a move on me i suggest U try to get back in Abhay's good books. I hear he has a spot open just for U.
T scowled at Kabir-U dare insult me. T. I'm going to make U pay for this. I was only trying to do U a favour. U never know might make Pia jealous. It always did the trick with Abhay.
Kabir wasn't even going to bother-I have friends waiting for me so if U don't mind taking your poison elsewhere i'd appreciate it.
T- folded her arms defensively hurt by Kabir's rejection-U will be sorry U rejected this Kabir. I pray Pia is never yours because U are worthless Kabir. You've lost your touch and without me U will never get your mojo on with anyone. U think Pia is all sweet and innocent! U haven't seen her throw herself at Abhay. It was so embarrassing poor Abhay didn't know what hit him.
Kabir just walked away. Leaving T to waste her voice. Damn her. he knew Pia had a thing for Abhay. Hell the whole college probably knew it was so evident. Even in this club he could see those long lingering looks both Abhay and Pia passed each other. It killed him inside to see the girl he loved fall for another guy. One he hated so much. Out of all the women in the world did he have to find Pia and make her feel for him as well. Kabir shook his head to clear that image he'd had of them in his mind. Kabir ried to look at the Brightside of things Abhay wasn't in Pia's life right now. In fact Pia kept her distance avoiding Abhay like a rash. It was a move in a positive direction. He'd finally made his way to Misha breathing a sigh of relief.
Misha gave Kabir a hug-U look like U need it! What was all that about?
Kabir rolled his eyes-U know Misha that girl is on something! T had the audacity to compare herself with Pia and try to hook up with me. Can't she take the hint? She was the one claiming i was last years news and here she is after a month trying to win me back.
Misha couldn't help but laugh-T has really become a Despo! She was already a Despo but she's become an even bigger one tonight. The cheek to even suggest both U get back together. I mean U lost your standards lasy year Kabir but this year U regained your stature by setting the bar high with Pia. U have my sympathies dude what are U going to do?
Kabir wasn't finding this very amusing-Ignore her like we all do. Has Pia finished her shift yet?
Shaurya took off his shirt and Tracker just whistles-Sorry that wasn't supposed to come out so loud!
Kabir curious about the new man making a headline-So whose the Salman Khan wannabe? What is it with men shirtless men and women hey? Maybe i need to use this method then Piya would notice me.
Misha held her breath for a few seconds. That body was something! Her mind ran wild for a few minutes. Kabir waved his hands in Misha's face until Misha came back crashing to Earth-Huh?
Kabir tried again-Whose the new stud Tracker's drooling over? The one U couldn't keep your eye's off of.
Misha nervously laughed out loud-Who me never! I was just seeing what Tracker was doing that's all.
Kabir let Misha off the hook. She wasn't like Tracker who'd give her left arm for a man-Ok if U say so.
Pia finally came over finishing for the day-Hi! I'm all yours now. What's going on?
Kabir answered-Tracker spilt a drink all over Shaurya's shirt. I swear she did it to see his beefy body. U know how Tracker's mind works. On second thoughts nobody here know's how Tracker really thinks. She's loopy when it comes to men.
Pia shifted her attention to Shaurya and Tracker. What a double act Pia thought-Nice to see he's made an impression on Tracker. He wanted to make new friends. He's done better than make one.
Nikhil came over to check up on his little brother-Shaurya! Only U can come up with an excuse to impress the ladies!
Shaurya moaned-But I.....
Nikhil stopped Shaurya from saying anything-Take care of Pia Ok. She's a special employee. After all any girl who can knock U down is worth more than U know bro. Shaurya's used to having women at his feet not being at the mercy of someone's feet. (Nikhil chuckles teasing Shaurya.)Enjoy the rest of the night kids.
Shaurya rolls his eyes at his brother-Thanks a lot bro!
Pia scans the club for Abhay and Tara until she found them. They were still sat round at the same table. Tara was the only one doing any heavy drinking while Abhay sat in silence burning a hole through Pia. She felt paralyzed lost in Abhay's gaze. It wasn't a good idea letting him get inside her head. No it was a horrific thing to do as it involved some mind link. She wasn't ready for that. It took all of Pia's strength to keep three people separate in Pia's head. Her thoughts always revolved around Abhay anyway but he'd always delved deep into her soul pulling out all her secrets one by one. While keeping Maithali out was the hardest as they were fighting to merge as one. She was trying to hold on as long as she could from losing her identity. Maithali's memories were fast becoming hers at an alarming rate it scared the living daylights out of her. The other person she was trying to keep in one piece was herself. Pia didn't want to fight because it was easy to give in but she'd promised she'd do all she could until the questions alluding them were answered. Pia was afraid she'd need a shrink after the ordeal she'd have to go through not that she didn't need one now. Pia never felt so alone in her life than she felt now. Despite having her friends beside her all she felt inside was alone. Even her own mother gave her no comfort. It was like all her loved ones had forsaken her. Pia heard Abhay in her head (I'm always here for U Pia! Don't close the door on me! Let me be there for U the only way i can.)
Shaurya clicked his fingers to wake Piya out of her daydream. Piya felt like she was fluctuating between two realities. One replaying in her mind while the other was coming back to reality. Pia didn't want to come back to being an insignificant person. She wanted to remain in her dreamland where Abhay was with her. She'd missed his rich voice. Pia ripped her eyes away from Abhay. Shaurya was still waiting for a response. Pia was still rocking from Abhay's mind link. Did he still care for her. she knew it was wish full thinking. Abhay truly loved Maithali not her lookalike. Pia understood this loud and clear just like Maithali repeated in Pia's head. Hey she understood Maithali's frustration. What woman dead or alive would be thrilled to know they have a love rival that too was a spitting image of them. Shaurya was a little confused by Pia's reaction as if she'd just woken up.
Shaurya's smile replaced by a worried frown-U Ok Pia?
Pia had just gotten back to planet Earth-Sorry I was miles away. I have a habit of doing this lately.
Shaurya made a cheeky quip-Are U sure its that and U weren't dreaming about me in your thoughts?
Misha chips in-Dude U wish Pia isn't that type of girl. She only ever has one guy on her brains and he's over there stalking her with his dreamy eyes. Do U men ever follow the signs?
Shaurya lets on-No we are after all the inferior beings. U women are all the superior types noticing all the simplest of signs while we pretend we are superior because we have strength on our side.
Misha grins-So U admit that U really are the weaker of the two sexes?
Shaurya retreats-To U never. I was just being sarcastic. Please we are on a level footing Misha. We are neither the weaker of the two sexes U know why because we all have flaws and we all have our own strengths.
Pia adds in-Shaurya U are a very diplomatic kinda guy. See now Misha has nothing to argue back on.
Shaurya eases on the jokes and watches Pia pensively holding her with his arm around her shoulders-Seriously Pia U seem a little tired.
Misha reasoned on Pia's condition-Pia's been through a rough couple of weeks. She's only just recovering from a mishap on our trip. I warned her not to get back to work so soon but she has this independence crack she keeps coming up with. Good job you're not due to work till next week. Don't forget we got College tomorrow. We need our brain box in action. After all who else is going to help me with my homework.
Pia scowled-U said U wouldn't ask me to do it anymore. U will never change. Come on lets just enjoy ourselves for now. I'm not a joy kill U know. We got time to kill so lets kill it.
Shaurya smiles-Are U sure?
Pia assures them-Lets show them how its done! I know i won't be able to let my hair down after this!
Misha beams-That's my girl Pia. Let's rock on.
Rosa was glad Pia was letting herself take things in her stride. Yeah she was still struggling to keep her sanity but for how long? Rosa could feel strong vibes coming from Abhay too. He was in just as much pain as Pia was only he was bottling all of it up. How long would he last till he broke down. Pia keeping Abhay at arms length was pure torture for him but it was his wish for a long time for Pia to leave him alone. now his next problem lied with this newcomer Shaurya taking a keen interest in Pia. Who said Love was plain sailing. Pia wasn't interested in Shaurya romantically. Rosa found him very charming. She'd kept quiet like most of her time spent with the gang. It was like her very nature called her to assess danger. For some reason Rosa was on red alert. What the hell was going on with her powers? Rosa shifted her gaze towards Tara. Yeah both witches saw a threat heading their way. A hunter had become the hunted. Who the hell was hunting whom? Rosa hated being a witch and these semi premonition powers were useless. U never got to see the whole picture ever especially when it revolved around the dead. The visions were involving Pia and Shaurya. Why on earth would Shaurya be in the picture? Rosa did a mental check invading Shaurya's head but she hit a brick wall. Why wasn't it working? Maybe her powers were on the fritz. She needed Tara's help.
Rosa excused herself-Pia i gotta go somewhere. Will be back later. U have fun. U need this!
Pia nodded-See U later.
Misha waved her-Rosa We got to dance later girl i haven't seen U groove!
Rosa walked away towards Abhay and Tara. Rosa saw Abhay had broken a shot glass with his bare hands. He was in a foul mood. Rosa sensed so much hate and anger coming from him. He was losing it. Rosa read Tara's eyes signalling them to take off somewhere quiet.
Tara spoke first-Abhay we need to go chat. Will U come with us or are U going to carry on with this glaring session U got going on?
Abhay growled at Tara-Get off my case!
Tara made a move taking her jacket from the chair putting it on heading out the door-Abhay give me a holler if U need anything Ok?
Abhay still had his eyes glued to Pia-Yeah whatever!
Tara shot back-She's not going to come over here if U carry on behaving like this Abhay. Bury the green eyed monster. It really doesn't suit U. This whole serial killer act is a bit much lighten up before U scare her off for good.
Abhay just grunted at his irritation-Just get the hell outta here! Leave me to stew in my own hell.
Rosa gave Abhay a calming word of wisdom-Pia's smitten by U Abhay. Always has been. That's never going to change but she's lonely Abhay. Very alone. i can only do so much. She needs U. So be there for her. or risk losing her for good.
With that they girls were off leaving Abhay all alone. he was so pi**ed off at being neglected by Pia snubbing him for some new kid on the block. Shaurya was a new kid compared to Abhay. He wasn't used to being blanked out by Pia before. He hadn't taken into account how all this was affecting Pia. He was consumed by jealousy for a man who'd had his arm around Pia. He hated watching Pia go to the floor with Shaurya. A semi nude Shaurya was what was bothering him. They were laughing as if they'd known each other for a long time. How dare he have his arms around Pia? To hell with what Rosa warned him about Pia. He didn't give a rats a** about how innocent all this was and the bull s**t that Pia wasn't interested in Shaurya because the bottom line was he was interested in her and Abhay seethed with venom for the man who had his paws all over his woman. He'd sat long enough in the shadows watching not participating in Pia's life. He'd noticed all right why Pia avoided him. he ached to hold her in his arms and wipe away all the nightmares she'd face. He'd give anything to take all her woes. All he wanted was Pia's happiness but not with another man. He wasn't a saint to watch somebody else walk away with Pia. He wasn't that great.
Pia wasn't aware of the tension building inside Abhay. She continued on dancing with Shaurya a little too aware of the close proximity. She blushed pink but Shaurya laughed it off. He knew Pia wasn't used to being this close to a guy. She had the most beautiful smile ever. A lively girl at that. Pia was vivacious but he'd often caught her eyes straying towards the back then averting them away. Pia was a taken woman already to a man who was no doubt the cause of her grief. He didn't know much about this Abhay of hers but from the vibe he got from Misha and Rosa he was all bad for Pia. It wasn't his business but there was a connection he'd felt with Pia. It all linked to the ring which had cemented them. Bonded them as a family. His sort watched out for their family. Abhay was a danger he could feel it in his bones. In his gut he knew this Abhay was nothing but trouble. Pia needed rescuing from herself. All the signs were there of a troubled girl. Her focus was just on one man. Shurya twirled Pia around to make her lose her focus on Abhay. Not happening she was half with him but another part of her was lost with Abhay. Shaurya watched Misha from afar. He wanted to know Misha who was keeping a distance from Shaurya. Yeah Misha piqued his interest on what was behind the mask she wore.
Financial markets and global economy
Ishaani
201