The bell rang for the first class. Piya knew she couldn't hide in her car forever. She got out and proceeded towards the classroom. Like yesterday, she heard the students murmur unflattering comments under their breath. She was about to enter the classroom when a boy blocked her way,"Hi Piya, just wanted to let you know I am free tonight. So my house or yours?"
Piya felt disgusted. She pushed him away but the boy just smirked back,"'What? I am not good enough for the college s***."
Tears of humiliation gathered in Piya's eyes. She looked around to see the students in the corridor staring at her. She ignored the stares and entered the classroom. The boy made a mental note to get her after the class and turned around when he felt his neck held in a painfully tight grip. He found himself staring into a pair of cold blue eyes. Abhay was simmering with rage as he stared at the boy and warned him in a chilling voice, "You leave her alone. And if I ever see you near Piya again, I'll break every bone in your body. Are we clear?" The boy nodded and Abhay left his neck. The boy scurried away muttering 'freak' under his breath.
Abhay entered the class and his eyes searched for Piya. She was sitting on the last bench just like before. It pained him to see the sadness in her eyes, how she was sitting alone. It was all because of him. He wanted to take her in his strong arms and comfort her but he had to keep his distance. It was for her good. Abhay saw another boy head towards Piya intending to humiliate her in front of everyone. He rushed to the seat beside Piya and sat down. He looked at the boy and gave a stern smile,"Sorry dude, seat's taken."
Piya looked at Abhay and sighed in exasperation,"You again!! What the hell!"
Abhay was amused to see Piya so feisty when just a second ago she looked vulnerable,"I always sit on the last seat. You already know that. It's you who is sitting on the wrong seat."
Piya was feeling pissed off now,"Fine, I'll go. No way am I going to sit with you."
However before she could move, the professor arrived. Piya sat back down. Abhay was elated and thanked his stars the professor came at the right time. He could have kissed the professor if he wasn't a 48 year old man. All through the class, Abhay found himself staring at Piya out of the corner of his eyes. He was craving to touch her. The heart which was filled with hatred before was now full of love for Piya. Piya brought him out of his thoughts; startling him by asking the question he was dreading she may ask.
"Abhay, why did you save me?"
Abhay answered without hesitation,"Did you forget Chand's orders to me?"
"I remember Abhay. His orders were not to kill me. His orders didn't say anything about not letting me die"
Abhay was surprised. Piya was quick to catch the loophole in Chand's orders. He tried to rectify his mistake. "Piya, the sire bond is much more powerful than the meaning of mere words. Chand's intention was that your life should not be jeopardized because of me. And by the way, I don't have to answer to you"
"Fine, then don't" , Piya turned her head away.
Abhay didn't want to be rude with her but it had to done. "And by the way, you are a pathetic witch when it comes to using your powers. You were trying to kill me and you ended up trying to kill yourself. You didn't even see that tree coming? Some witch you are!", He snorted with derision.
Piya looked at him with a strange emotion in her eyes,"I saw that tree. I knew it was going to fall on me. But you just had to swoop it and save me, irritating as you are"
Abhay was shocked,"What do you mean to say?"
Piya looked away again,"Nothing, just nothing"
Abhay stared at her appalled. What did Piya mean? What she didn't tell him was that Piya didn't want to move away because she wanted the tree to fall on her. At that moment, it seemed like the easiest escape for her problems. She could have been with her parents. She wouldn't have to be sad anymore. But she was glad that she didn't die that day. Tara would have been left with no one. Her sister needed her and that moment was just a selfish moment for her which she would never think about again.
The bell rang and Piya got up immediately and left the class. Abhay kept sitting there, his heart torn apart at what he had done to Piya. He needed to redeem himself, not because he did wrong to an innocent girl, but because he hurt the girl he was starting to fall in love with.
The classes were almost over. Piya was careful to avoid Abhay for the rest of the day. Abhay watched her silently. He couldn't stand to see Piya sad. The mess was too big to clean up. But he knew where to start. Abhay looked for Varun in the college and found him sitting on one of the benches in the garden. He went and sat beside him,"Can we talk?"
Varun looked at Abhay with loathing,"What do you want now Raichand?"
Abhay put on a casual face,"Nothing, just wanted to tell you that the day of the fresher's party, I spiked Piya and then made that MMS to ruin her rep in the college"
Varun stood up,"Excuse me? Are you serious? If this is one of your idiotic mind games I'll punch the hell out of you"
"No, my mind games arent so pathetic. I am telling you what exactly happened."
Remorse washed through Varun. He felt guilty for the way he treated Piya. He should have believed her when she tried to explain herself. Abhay knew his work was done here. He got up to leave.
Varun stopped him,"Why are you telling me this now? You wanted to hurt Piya so why are you clearing her name?"
"It was fun for a while but now I am bored. Plus its no fun fighting with Piya now that she is all mopy and drowned in self pity. Anyways, don't tell her I told you this. I don't want to ruin my rep as the badboy. You understand!", He smirked and left.
Varun didn't know what to make of Abhay. Was he good, bad; only Abhay knew. He needs to find Piya first and apologize to her.
Piya was in the parking lot. She was about to sit in the car when Varun came up to her and held her hand. Piya was surprised to see Varun. Varun smiled at her,"hi Piya."
Piya was so happy that Varun was finally talking to her,"Hi Varun. You arent mad at me anymore?"
Varun looked apologetic,"Piya, don't say that. I feel terrible right now. I am so sorry Piya, I should have believed you."
"Varun, its okay. I understand"
Varun felt more guilty now that Piya forgave him so easily,"I don't deserve a friend like you Piya. You are really nice. I was awful to you and you forgive me"
"Varun, you know the truth, that's all I want. I am not mad. I was sad when you didn't believe me but now everything is okay na. I missed you and Misha so much"
Varun was touched by Piya's reaction. She was truly amazing. He hugged her tight. Piya hugged him back feeling happy that she got her friend back. Abhay was watching from a distance. His face was filled with pain. His cheek was wet with tears. He wanted to be the one to bring a smile on her face, he wanted to be the one she smiles at, and he wanted to be the person who makes her happy. But fate couldn't be more cruel. His Piya was happy without him. But his pain didn't matter to him because Piya was happy. That's all he wanted.
Misha also came running to piya and hugged her tightly," I am so sorry piya. I am so sorry. We should have given you a chance to explain. I am sorry I didn't hear you out or worse believed you"
Piya smiled," its ok misha. I am just glad you guys believe me now. I thought I have lost all my friends. I don't care hwat others think about me until you guys believe me"
"ofcourse we do", varun and misha said in unison.
Piya was confused. How come they believed her suddenly," but how did you know that I was not at fault. I mean I am happy you people believe me but just out of curiousity."
"that's because abhay..", misha was about to spill when varun interrupted," nothing piya. we just gave a thought to it calmly and realized that you could never do such a thing. You are a pure soul. And we are truly sorry"
"yes piya, varun is right", misha smiled.
Piya just nodded but she already read misha's mind. It was abhay who got her friends back. He was the one who created mess and he is only clearing it up. But why? she had to know. She had to ask him.
Abhay was still watching piya and was now contended to see her happy. Alina who was passing by saw abhay staring at piya. she knew everything now. she was proud of abhay that he his now trying to rectify all his misdeeds.
"you did the right thing abhay", alina came and stood near him.
"you knew everything right? That's why you were always giving me hints?", abhay asked
Alina smiled," ofcourse I knew but I was bound by promise and duty. I couldn't tell you the truth but I was never told to not even hint you"
Abhay chuckled," I am sorry alina for everything I did. I know I have been horrible to you, to everyone, to piya. but now I know what I have to do. I will make everything right"
"I know you will and I am proud of you that you accepted all your mistakes. Abhay our life is eternal. Its like forever for us. till now you have always been fighting against someone who was never at fault but now its time to do right thing. I know you are going to hunt them down. I know you well. Hell, even vihaan knows it. vihaan and others will try to stop you for your and her safety. But me, alina, will always be with you. yes abhay, I will help you. being a sister, a part of me wants to stop you so that you don't get hurt, but I know this is the right thing. Its written in destiny abhay. we will avenge pari's death together", alina gave him a side hug.
"alina you don't have to go against them for me. I was always a bad boy for them. So it doesn't matter if I become a jerk now"
Alina shrugged, " so what? I guess its high time I change my status. I am too bored being a good girl. Even I have some right to have some fun right?"
Abhay shook his head. Even if no one supported him in his quest to hunt down gangrels, he knew he had someone who would always be there for him.
"lets go home abhay. we have a mission in hand"
Abhay nodded.
...
Piya wanted to meet abhay now. she knew he was still in college. She could feel him around her. piya excused herself from her friends and went to search abhay. piya saw abhay walking with alina.
"abhay wait! I want to talk to you", she called
Alina turned and gave her a smile and left them alone for sometime. But abhay didn't look at her," sorry piya but I am hell busy so get lost"
Piya ignored him," why did you clear my name in front of misha and varun?"
Abhay was stunned. He turned around. he raised his eyebrows," who said I did that?"
"no one but I know you did. I am witch abhay. do you think I cant their minds if you tell them to lie?"
Abhay actually had forgotten that part for sometime," oh well you know I was kinda bored so.."
Piya crossed her arms across her chest, "really raichand? You want me to believe that? Everything was happening just the way you wanted. I was almost killed. I lost my friends but suddenly you become my knight in shining armor from devil and clear every mess you created. Do you think I am a fool? What are you playing at?"
Abhay was amused," feisty! Me likey!"
Piya glared,"you think I am joking here? Why cant you answer a simple damn question?"
Abhay smirked, "because I don't wish to. now please excuse me alina is waiting. I need to rush. We will have our argument later. Cyao"
Abhay walked away leaving piya stunned. Something was different today about him. She could feel that.
...
Someone was watching everything that was happening since the party. He took out his BB and called someone," master I think abhay knows the truth. I am not sure but he definitely knows something. He is changing towards her. he is melting. Something is really off there"
"then find out you moron! Stop playing around the bush and and tell me how much he knows." he barked on phone
"yes master"
Arjun
Cricket
