"If you wanted to go to the fair, you could have asked me to take you." Said Abhay with a stern look on his face.
"You were there?" I was curious.
He nodded and said, "I was there and I saw you with him. What's his name? ummm...Jam...Jes..."
"It's Jey" I said cutting him.
"Yeah, Jey. Hmm... I saw you there with this Jey, smiling...laughing...basically happy." He said frowning.
"Yes, I was really happy." I said folding my arms not wanting to really talk about it too much.
"I know, it was showing on your face", he pointed his finger at me, "You've a very expressive face pia. I can tell what you're thinking just by looking at your face." He said raising his eyebrow.
"If you were there, why didn't you..."
"Came up to you?" he asked interrupting me.
"Mmm hmmm."
"Well, you see I didn't intend to disturb you on your date with Jey."
"It was not a date."
"Wasn't it?" he smirked.
"No, it wasn't" I was rather annoyed.
"Okay". He sighed.
We stood there in silence for a while. "You could have asked me, you know. I would have loved to take you there myself. After all, I know this place better than any newbie in the town."
"I didn't ask anyone to take me. He took me there."
"Let's not talk about him", he advanced towards me, "I am glad that everything is fine between us now."
"Me too" I smiled.
"And that's my Mom and Dad." I said pointing at the picture. Abhay saw the photo album lying on the table. He asked me if he could see it and I agreed. We both at on the sofa, I placed the album on my lap and opened it, telling him about the people in the photos.
"They are my friends'and that's my best friend misha". He was looking at the pictures very carefully and suddenly he smiled as if he realized something significant.
"You don't like getting your photos taken, do you?" he was still looking at the photos and didn't lift his eyes to look at me.
"What?" I was amazed.
"You don't like getting your pictures taken. Is that right?"
I hesitated first to answer but then I finally spoke, "yes, I kind of hate it." He smiled again and finally raised his head to look at me.
"But how did you know?" I asked curiously.
"You're not looking very comfortable in these pictures and all I can see in these photos is your fake smile."
"Huh! I was not faking it, I am actually happy in each of these pics." I said defending myself.
"No pia, it's not your real smile", he finally looked at me, It's not even close to the way you smile. You know when you smile, your eyes light up. It get sparkling you know. And you get these dimples. It looks very cute. But I can't see that in the photos."
I never thought he was so observant. I did fake those smiles in the photos. I usually don't like getting my photos taken and he was the first person to notice it.
"Oh my God! You look so cute as Santa." He said taking the picture out of the album and taking a closer look at it.
"God! You're not supposed to see it. Damn, how could I forget about this picture." I tried to take the picture back but he held it tightly and was not giving it to me.
"Abhay please." I said helplessly.
"I've never seen such a sexy Santa in my whole darn life"
"This is so embarrassing." I said covering my face with my hands.
He laughed, "No, it's not. You're really looking cute in this. I am serious. I like voluptuous women."
"Yeah I know" I said sarcastically, "you see I volunteered at an orphanage and there was some issue with their Santa so I opted for it. But my mom'she found it rather "adorable" and she took the picture of me dressed as Santa. What girl wants to get pictured as Santa?
"Ohyou're adorable" he was being sarcastic again.
I got up, "I don't know why I brought this album here or why I shared it with you." I said annoyingly.
"Listen Santa ugh I mean pia that's okay. It's not like I am going to show this picture to anyone. And besides, it was a really nice gesture. You brought smile on those kids' faces and I am sure you wouldn't hesitate to do it again."
"Well yeah!" I smiled, "but give it back to me" I said grabbing the photo from his hand.
"Thanks for showing me your family album. I feel like I know you a little better now." He smiled.
"You're my friend and you should know things about me." I smiled back, "Though I am kind of feeling homesick now."
"Oh this is your home too." He said holding my hand.
"Yes, it is. It's always been a home to me. You know what, when I'll go from here I'll miss this place as much as I am missing my home right now."
"We'll miss you too pia." He said tightening the grip at my hand. My heart started beating faster. "But you better come back soon okay? For your aunt, for your friends."
"I'll try to" I tried to smile.
"I can come and visit you, if you don't mind?" he asked hesitantly.
"Of course you can. I'd love that." It was really getting awkward.
"I'll definitely come," He said smilingly, "Ah why we're talking about it now? Lets' change the topic."
"Yeah, ummm I should go to the hospital now. Aunt must be done with her therapy."
"Do you want me to come?" he asked me.
"No, that's okay."
"I'll see you in the evening then. Do you have any plans?" he asked.
"No, I am free."
"I'll see you then." He smiled and didn't move. Neither did I. Few moments passed in silence and desperation. He couldn't take it anymore and hugged me, tightly. We were both relieved.
"I'll see you tonight" he said pulling apart.
"See ya" I said. He reached the door and turned back to look at me again and left.
I was unusually happy rest of the day. The sick smell of hospital and the gloominess didn't bother me. I was smiling at everything.
"Abhay is taking me for dinner tonight" I said to aunt who was busy reading in her room.
She closed the book and placed it on the table beside her bed and looked at me inquisitively. "Will you be late?" she finally asked.
"Umm no. I'll be home on time." I answered nervously.
"He's a good boy"
"Yes, he is." I said sheepishly.
"Do you like him?"
The question was out of the blue. I never expected she would ask me anything like this.
"Come on Aunt Madhu" I said lifting up my hands in astonishment, "he's just a friend and nothing else."
"I don't think he considers you "just a friend."
"Then what else?" I asked sitting beside her.
"I've seen it in his eyes, the way he looks at you. You can tell it honey. Your aunt has been in love too." She said mockingly.
"Yes, I remember. You were telling me the story about Uncle that day but Jey came in. What happened exactly? Tell me." I was curious. Aunt never talked about uncle before to anyone of us. Even mom and dad never mentioned him but my mom once told me that dad and my grandfather broke all contacts with aunt because of my uncle. I never dared to ask her anything about this because my mom warned me that it might upset her.
"I would love to tell you but don't you think you'll be late to go out with Abhay?" she said smiling.
"No, there's plenty of time. Please tell me, I want to know." I was desperate like a kid.
She smiled and said, "I will when the right time comes. Now go and get ready."
I gave up and went up to my room to dress up.
After a while I came downstairs ready to go with Abhay. I was a bit nervous and wondered what will happen tonight? I shrugged the thought and went to Aunt's room. "Did you take your medicines?" I inquired.
"I have. Ready to go?" she smiled.
"Yes." I said embarrassingly.
"Take care sweetie."
"I will. Good night."
"Good night." I turned off the lights and closed the door coming out. Suddenly I heard strange noises coming from outside. I tried to listen carefully and realized that it was the neighing of the horses. Stunned, I went up to the door and opened it to look outside.
"Hello" said Abhay taking off his hat and bowing.
I stood there startled. Abhay was sitting on the carriage on the driver's seat whipping horses. He jumped down and came towards me. I tried to speak but he held his hand out to me and said, "I promise, I'll make this evening really special for you.
He held his hand out to me and said, "I promise I'll make this evening really special for you." I took his hand and followed him to the carriage.
"Carriage, huh?" I said teasingly.
"Well, yeah! Royal treatment you see?" he joked and helped me climbing the carriage. "Ready to go?" said he sitting beside me. I nodded.
Abhay whipped the horses and they took off. The horses kept pace with the wind. They were running very fast.
"So... what's this all about?" I finally asked.
"This ride?" asked he looking at me.
"Umm yeah."
"Well we've been through so much lately and there was a lot of tensions between us so I thought why not end it once and for all by spending this evening together." He winked.
I smiled in response and turned my face on the right side to the beautiful scenery which seemed like it was trying to keep pace with us as we were riding.
"I don't like fighting with you," I said out of the blue.
He looked at me, his eyebrow slanted into a worried expression, "I don't like it either. I can't bear it when you don't talk to me." I turned my face again to the other side. Few moments passed in silence while I contemplated my thoughts.
"So where are we going?" said I to end that awkward silence.
"Hmm... let's just keep riding without intending to reach any destination. Why not spend an eternity here?" he asked with a very serious look on his face, I knew he was teasing me.
"An eternity? That's it?" I joined him.
"Yeah, you see other girls deserve a chance too." He was being sarcastic again.
"Oh... very thoughtful of you. How can I be so selfish? You're right others deserve a chance too. Lets ride this carriage for an evening only and then you can spend rest of the eternity with someone else."
"No, I'd rather spend it with you fighting," He winked. I couldn't say anything more.
"I knew," he continued, "that you'd like this carriage ride. All those stupid novels that you read, people in them ride on these carriages and go to balls and dance that weird dance."
"Oh come on," I said interrupting him, "those are not stupid novels and that's not a weird dance. In fact, I find it cute. You know, sometimes I wish I was born in that era and meet my prince charming in a ball." I really loved that idea.
"You're so weird." He said raising his eyebrows. I shrugged it off.
"Look at the moon" said I pointing towards the sky.
"Beautiful" he said looking upwards.
"I love watching stars and moon at night" I revealed to him still admiring the moon.
"Well, it's beautiful. But I prefer to do other things at night," said he still looking at the moon.
"Really, what kind of things?" I asked innocently turning my face to him.
"Well you know dot dot dot" he winked. I shook my head in astonishment.
"What?" he asked laughingly.
"Nothing." I sighed.
"pia?"
"pia?"
"I saw everyone close to you in the album you showed me this afternoon. But your boyfriend was not there."
I rolled my eyes and looked at him, "are you indirectly asking if I have a boyfriend?"
"Yes, I am" Was his straight reply.
"Well, I don't have a boyfriend."
"You don't?" he confirmed.
"Nope."
"Never had any?"
"That's none of your business" I answered annoyingly.
"You're my friend; it's my right to know you." He retorted.
"See, I had a boyfriend. But things didn't work out...between us." Said I reluctantly.
"Okay, I just wanted to know." He smiled.
"What went wrong with you and panchi?" I asked instantly.
"I really don't want to talk about this" he answered.
"This is what you do. You want to know every thing about me but when it comes to you, you prefer remaining in the shadows never wanting to reveal yourself. Whenever I ask you anything, you reply with the same old sentence, "I really don't want to talk about this.""
"Well I..." he tried to speak.
"But when it comes to me," said I interrupting him, "you can ask me anything you want to, after all it is your "divine right". Why are you so secretive? Do I need to get you drunk so that you open your mouth?" I was out of breath now.
"Whoa!" he exclaimed.
"Fine, I won't ask you anything now." I said folding my arms in contempt.
"Are you angry?" he observed my face.
"No, I am not." I lied.
"Yes, you are. I can tell it."
"Oooh looks like my face talks to you" said I sarcastically.
"Please don't get mad at me. I planned this evening to make things better not to worsen them." He pleaded.
"Am I ruining this evening? Shall I leave?"
"pia... God! Okay I promise you. I'll answer your question but not now 'cause I don't want to ruin this evening with my break up story. Can you hold it for a while?" said he with genuine concern on his face.
"Okay." I nodded.
"Is everything okay now?" he confirmed, "Are you still mad at me?"
I couldn't help but smile. He was looking so cute in that moment.
"There you go... you little devil. You like to torture me, huh?" he shook his head in amazement.
"You deserve a little torture, don't you?" I teased him. He looked me through the corner of his eye and smiled.
"You know what, go ahead torture me. After all you have the right." said he frowning.
"I do? Do you allow all your friends to torture you?" I smirked.
"Not all, only few. Actually no one. I don't let people affect me."
"That's a good thing. I don't let people affect me either," Said I dryly.
"I know that. In fact, that's the first thing that I noticed in you. You've these walls built around you and you don't let anyone climb it and meet the real you," said he.
"Yeah, right. So how many girls fell for this one?" I asked sarcastically.
"You mean I am saying that to charm you?"
"Yes!" I knew he was trying to get inside my head.
"Tch tch everything that I say or do is not a trick pia." I could see he was getting furious.
"Yeah, I know you." I said nodding.
"You do? then tell me what do you think I am?" he snapped.
"Do you really want me to tell you?" I folded my hands, "Aren't you the better judge of yourself?" I smiled wickedly.
"Well..." he nodded and without saying another word he kept on driving. Rest of the journey passed in silence and finally we reached our "destination".
He stopped the carriage in front of a restaurant and jumped out. Then he came towards me and held his hand out, I took it and step down from the carriage, "Looks like, our eternity ends here."
"You have the wrong notion" he smiled and led me to the hotel. It was an open air restaurant. In the middle there was a beautiful fountain which had Aphrodite's sculpture in the middle. I stood there admiring its beauty, "it's called the fountain of love," Abhay explained me.
"Fascinating, the fountain of love. You mean if I drink water from here then I'll fall in love?" I asked.
"Yes, you certainly will and that's why I brought you here." Abhay kept looking at the fountain.
"What?" I asked startled.
"Umm...nothing, I said I brought you here to show this to you. I mean I know it's not the "real" fountain, but who cares." He smiled nervously.
I couldn't help but smile too. The waiter came to us and led us to our table. We both sat down. We were looking at the menu card when the waiter came again and asked us what we would like to have. "I was wondering if we could start with the fountain of love," said I teasing Abhay.
He chuckled and said, "I promise I'll get you some water from there before the night ends."
We both ordered and the waiter went away. I leaned back on my chair glancing around. "So you like this place?" Abhay asked me.
"Yes, it's beautiful." I smiled.
We both sat there saying nothing. We fell short for words. It was getting awkward. "So I guess it's your last year at the Law school? You will be starting your internship, right?" I inquired.
"Umm well yeah." He replied.
I frowned and smiled, "you're not excited about your internship?"
He sighed, "You know that I am not interested in becoming a lawyer."
"Will you do something else?" I asked.
He looked at me for few seconds without blinking and finally opened his mouth, "I don't know."
"You don't know?" said I raising my eyebrows in amazement.
He smiled and looked down, "Darn you must be thinking how aimless I am in life."
"No, you have aims in life. flirting with many women as you can." Said I sarcastically.
"This is what you think of me? You think I only know how to flart around?"
I realized my mistake, I was being rude. I felt bad for saying that. "I am sorry" I apologized to him.
He smiled at me and nodded, "you don't have to be sorry. It is actually one of my aims in life." We both laughed together.
"So you're a self professed flater?" I asked in good humor.
He smiled and winked. "But you're honest. I admire that," I admitted.
He kept looking at me and didn't react.
I feel it in my fingers
I feel it in my toes
Love is all around me and so the feeling grows
I smiled, "I love this song." This has been one of my favorite songs and it playing here was unexpected.
"so do I" confessed Abhay. He took my hand and led me to the dance floor. It happened so suddenly, I was confused but I let him lead me. He held me tightly and we swayed to the music. My heart started beating faster.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
I sighed and nodded.
"So we both like the same song, eh? That's the second thing which is common between us," Abhay laughed slightly.
"What's the first thing?" I asked.
"You don't remember?," he asked, "remember when I took you to the meadows and you told me you love to be around nature too? That's the first thing which is common between us."
He remembered and I was happy that he did. "You gave your promise to me and I gave mine to you... I need someone beside me in everything I do." He sang along.
"I'd rather hear the singer singing it" I teased him. He stopped dancing and pretended to be mad at me. I burst into laughter.
"You little devil. You really like to torture me, don't you?" he said holding me again.
"Umm I have all the right" I winked. We both smiled and lost into the music. It felt so right being in his arms and laying my head on his chest. I couldn't think about anything else. I let go of his hand, leaned into his embrace and wrapped both my arms around his neck.
He held me tightly too and I could feel his warm breath on my neck. He rubbed his cheek against my neck making me go weak in the knees. I felt someone's hand on my shoulder and I came into my senses. It was definitely not Abhay's hand, I could sense his touch. I pulled apart from him.
"Hey there, so we meet again," it was panchi. Abhay and I looked at each other in astonishment.
"Hey panchi. How have you been?" I made the formality.
"I've been good. Sorry to disturb you both but I thought I should say hi," She said looking at Abhay, "you're not going to say anything?"
He smiled and hugged her. I felt so weird that I just wanted to get out of that place.
"I am here with some friends. You can join us." She invited.
Abhay looked at me to know my view, I didn't say a word. He turned back to her and answered, "No, you guys carry on."
"Okay, see you later," and she left. I walked to my table and sat down without uttering a word. He came and joined me, "Whoa! Where did she come from?" asked he.
The waiter came and served the food. We started eating. I took a bite but couldn't get the food pass my throat. "so, what happened between you and her?" I asked bluntly.
"I thought we postponed that question for a while?" seemed like he was more interested in eating.
"How does it matter anyway?" I put the spoon down, "she's already here. We might as well talk about her."
"Let's go somewhere else." He said wiping his mouth.
"No, why should we go somewhere else? Because she is here? Looks like her presence is really affecting you."
"Affecting me? You really think that? I didn't even say a word about her; it's you who are asking things. See, if she's bothering us then maybe we can go somewhere else."
"I don't give a damn about her." I groaned.
"Neither do I," he said abruptly.
"Is she a bad news to you?" I was concerned.
"Yes, she is. But miraculously, she isn't affecting me a bit now. I don't give a important about her. I am with you and I can't think anything beyond this." He assured me.
I was relieved. "Try this chicken it is delicious," he changed the topic.
"Chicken saves the day," I said tasting it. We both chuckled. "My mom is a great cook. She cooks delicious chicken," he said.
"Hmm can't say that about my mom but my dad is a great cook." I replied.
"You don't cook?" he asked curiously.
"Well, I prefer eating," I joked.
"I got my answer," he smiled, "but I love cooking."
"You cook?" I was startled.
"Yep. Give me a chance to boast my cooking skills. Let me cook for you someday." He offered.
"Sounds great."
"Dinner at my place?" he asked.
"Your place?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Nothing" I smiled faintly.
After dinner as we were about to leave panchi come to our table, "you guys are leaving?" she asked
"Yes" Abhay replied.
"At least have a drink with us." She proposed.
"Umm sure." I accepted.
"Come on then" she left.
"What are you mad?" said Abhay fiercely.
"Just one drink" I said.
"I wanted to take you somewhere else" he objected.
"Come on Abhay it won't take much time."
He nodded and we went to their table. panchi introduced us to her friends. They were all high and drunk.
"I am telling you. This is a bad idea" Abhay whispered in my ears. We sat down.
"I hope I didn't interrupt your date" said panchi.
"Umm it's not a date" I explained.
"What would you like to drink?" she asked ignoring my answer.
"I'll have a coke." I replied.
They all giggled. "Coke?" asked panchi, again, "don't worry I am paying for the drinks. You can order anything you want to."
"She doesn't take alcohol," interrupted Abhay.
"What?" she shouted, "Since when do you date girls who don't drink?" asked panchi inquisitively.
"Since you got wasted on Valentine's Day and puked all over me" replied Abhay. Everyone started laughing leaving panchi embarrassed.
"So you're saying that you both are "just friends"? Inquired panchi changing the topic.
"Yes, we are" confirmed Abhay.
"I believe you...I really do. But since when you are just friends with a girl Abhay? I've known you for a long time and never I saw you being friends with a girl, if you know what I mean" she winked.
"May be because he never found a girl worth keeping as a friend" I answered for him. panchi's expression changed, she looked furious. Abhay excused himself to attend the call.
"So you're single?" asked one of her friends, "may be we can hang out till you're here and do stuff...you know."
"Oh come on Mac! Stop hitting on her" said panchi.
"There's no harm" he replied.
"Pardon him pia, he's a idiot. He flart with every girl especially sweet girls. You know what they say, sweet women are easy to get" taunted panchi.
"Really?" I was now ready to give her tit for tat, "well you know these are all prejudices. I've heard that women like u are big time drunkards and that here people are not very friendly. But you people are quite friendly, especially you Mac even though in my home town we call such people perverts. So this prejudice is mere a prejudice though I can't be sure about the drinking part," I said pointing at panchi's glass.
"Yeah," she said putting her glass down, "these are all prejudices and nothing else." They all looked offended. Abhay came back.
"Let's go," I said to him. We took their leave. panchi didn't even bother to smile or say bye.
"I am sorry...I never thought they would" said Abhay as we were walking towards the carriage.
"Why are you sorry?" I asked interrupting him, "It's not your fault."
He smiled in response, "I am lucky to have a friend like you"; he laughed slightly, panchi was right you know, I never had a female friend. When it came to women, i always flart with them . But now everything has changed. Now I have someone to talk to. I can share things with you and I know you would understand me. It's wonderful." I felt so happy that I meant so much to him.
And it started raining. "Oh my God!" I exclaimed. "You know what? It's the fountain, Aphrodite's fountain," he said excitedly and spread his arms to feel the rain, "this is the real fountain, the fountain of love."
I opened my mouth, the rain splattered on my tongue. A shiver ran down my spine. I closed my eyes and let the rain soak me while I drink every drop of liquid pouring from that fountain. I felt the love entering my body.
I opened my eyes. Abhay was standing with his eyes closed. There was a strong urge in me. I rushed to him and without thinking about anything I hugged him. Something in me was telling me that this is where I belong. He held me tightly, never wanting to let me go. May be he felt the same thing too. "I need you," I said to myself and cried in ecstasy.
hope guys u like it this part . keep reading guys u ll know all things and u r confusion slove as read next few updates
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
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