FF :Time and Again Book 1 completed - Page 101

Yup Shrishti, that is why Abhay hated it...I am glad you saw that😉

No he can't be Reina becoz Reina is a she😆 Alina...let's see...😛

Yup Piya should have stayed away but then she never does what she should right😆

Thanks😳

Thanks. Panchi ke saath kya hua I will reveal soon😆

Yup that stranger is Sid and yeah he will confess😳

Dehradun, 2011 :

The long, shiny black cobra glided out of the ditch and away from the forest, pausing only once to look back at the human it had killed. It felt dizzy and slightly nauseous. Tasting the air to check if the coast was clear, it slithered across the metalled road, pausing in front of a house with a well-maintained garden. Scaling the wall, it entered the living room through an open window, turning into a young man as soon as he touched the floor.

This young man was rather good-looking, with jet black hair that brought out his bright green eyes. He walked over to the sofa and slumped down on it, holding his aching head. "Snigs!" he called. There was a slight rustle, and an identical black cobra slithered down the stairs a few seconds later, turning into a young woman as soon as it reached him. She sat down next to him on the sofa, her normally cheerful face creased into frown lines. "Daniel, are you all right?" she said, touching his forehead. "I feel sick," he groaned. "I've never bitten through so many layers of adipose tissue. And the blood was full of cholesterol..." he grimaced in dislike. "Get me a drink of something, Snigdha. I feel awful." "Well, it was you who so kindly volunteered to bite her to spare me the revulsion," said Snigdha, grinning as she got up to fetch some brandy.

"I know how you feel," said Snigdha sympathetically, as Daniel sipped his brandy. "It was awful enough having to pretend to be her friend, and listen to that voice all day long…I'm having a talk with Reina. I'm going to tell her my husband has taken ill after biting that human." She got up, but Daniel caught her wrist. "No, don't," he said. "I'll be perfectly fine in a day or two. Plus, we owe Reina- she helped us escape from my family, remember?" Snigdha sighed. "I suppose so," she said unhappily. "She really hated that human, you know. She's got it in for her ever since she started making eyes at that vampire and his brother. Then of course, the idiot got himself buried, so I had to befriend her and try to find out about her half-sister. Reina was extremely concerned about that particular human, Piya."

"I know," muttered Daniel comfortingly. "It's strange , though, the amount of trouble she goes through because of her. And I wonder why she wants that human Piya to mate with the vampire Abhay. Vampire-human unions are extremely rare, and even so….their union is unacceptable to nature. A predator, with the prey?" He shook his head. Snigdha gave a short laugh. "Who knows? Maybe she's an incurable romantic or soething. Come on dear- we need to go to bed. I'll tell Reina you finished her off. You did check , didn't you?"

"Yes, I did," said Daniel, getting up. "I checked her pulse…." Snigdha smiled at him, entwining her arms around his neck. "I love you, Daniel," she said softly. "I know," he assured her, grinning. "Love you more."

Pandher, 1858:

"Piya, you are very happy today, aren't you?" said Maithali, the evening Siddharth returned. Piya smiled at her. "Of course I am, Princess," she said. "You seem happy too." Maithali's beauty seemed almost magnified tenfold, her face seemed to glow in the soft light of the lamp.She smiled at Piya. "Siddharth is back now. You won't be needing Abhayendra any more now, will you?" Piya's forehead creased. "Not really, I mean we are sort of friends now…." "That's nice," said Maithali, but she seemed distracted. "You seem very happy today," commented Piya. "Something special?" Maithali blushed. "All right, but don't tell anyone," she said. "He said he loves me." "What?" said Piya in shock, getting up from her armchair and going to stand next to Maithali. "I know, isn't it special?" she said, her cheeks almost scarlet. "He said he's loved me for years. I told him I'd give him my answer tonight. Oh Piya, I am so excited! You knew this was coming, didn't you? Will you help me dress? And please don't tell my father or anyone else. I know you won't, you're the dearest friend ever."

Piya stared in shock. She had no need to ask who it was, for surely it was Siddharth, who had heeded her advice? Her heart heart swelled with happiness for her friend, and acting on impulse, she reached out and hugged Maithali, whispering words of congratulations.

Raichand Mansion, 2011:

It was midnight when Abhay came home. Haseena gasped when he entered. He looked at her in irritation. "What now, Mom?" She did not reply, instead called out, "Chand!" In a quarter of a second, Chand arrived from the first floor. His eyes widened as he looked at Abhay. "What?" he repeated. Chand gestured to one of the mirrors in the room. Abhay looked at himself – and groaned. Blood coated his face and hands. There was a long tear in the sleeve of his jacket, which exposed the wetness on the black shirt. "I got into a fight," he replied wearily. "And I encountered the newborn. He got away, though." "You got into a fight with a newborn?" repeated Chand, eyebrows meetng in the centre of his forehead. Abhay shook his head, and sat on one of the chairs. "The werewolves surrounded me. The newborn and I disposed of them. He came to help me." "The newborn came to help you?" repeated Haseena. "But then that means- it knows about us. Could you not find out anything?" "I asked it why it helped me," said Abhay in a level voice. "He said something about paying back debts or some such nonsense. It's a male all right. But before I could find out who it was, he ran away. He has a strange scent."

Silence followed. He continued, looking into the fire. "I felt as if I knew that scent. Ot was very familiar. If only I could remember whose it was. It's as if someone's warped it somehow….." He trailed off. "Go up to your room and clean up," said Haseena suddenly. "You look a mess."

Haseena watched her son go up to his room. The, slowly and deliberately,keeping her mind and face perfectly vacant, she strolled into the library and picked up a book. She studied it till she was sure sure Chand had left. Then she exhaled.

Abhay's news had kindled a spark of hope within her. It fitted, all right : a dead vampire resurrected, who smelt familiar to Abhay, who had saved him and then spoken of debts……who else could it be but Siddharth? But then- who had brought him back? And why had he not shown himself asyet? Had he changed, or was it a trap? Haseena decided to hold her toungue regarding her suspicions. She needed more information.

Pandher, 1858:

"The moon is up," whispered Maithali. "it will be time soon." "I'll accompany you," said Piya. "Just till you meet him, so we can be sure nobody's watching." "Thank you, " said Maithali gratefully. "I'm so nervous!"

The two women tiptoed out. Piya was leading, making sure that there were no other night-time wanderers. She accompanied Maithali till the edge of the forest. Then Maithali went a little way ahead. In the bright moonlight, Piya could see her clearly. Presently, a few twigs crunched, and Piya slipped behind a tree. She had to see them.

"Maithali?" whispered someone. "You came." "Yes," she heard Maithali reply. "I came, because- because I realized that I have always harboured affections for you. I cannot control my feelings anymore, especially now that I know you love me as much as I love you. I love you Abhayendra, will all my heart."

The world spun out of focus, tilted dizzily, and turned upside down that moment. Piya clutched the tree, willing herself to believe her ears were wrong. She could see them so clearly …..As she watched, Abhayendra's hand rose to caress her cheek. Maithali leaned forward, and their mouths seemed to fuse into one. The broke apart, and Abhayendra said, "I will love you forever, my princess. I am no prince, but I would love you as no man had ever loved a woman." They embraced, and Piya could see Abhayendra's face clearly now, his eyes closed as he held her close and stroked her hair.

Piya did not know when her feet started moving backwards; till she had reached the castle doors. Then she fled to her room by sheer sense of direction : her vivion was blurred. She closed the door and sank down on the floor of her room. Only then did she let the burning tears fall. The flowed fast now as her whole bodu shook with silent sobs. "Fool!" he mind was telling her. "Stupid, stupid fool! What were you thinking? Deluding yourself that someone would look past the {rincess, and see you instead? He's not Abhay!" But he had the power to hurt her as much as Abhay had had. She felt so weak. So helpless. Why, why had she allowed him that power over her? Reina had warned her, but she had disobeyed her. Foolish, traitorous heart! She wiped furiously at the tears, but they only fell faster.

It was all her fault anyway. Not once had Abhayendra ever shown any interest in her, except that of a friend. She had no cause to weep but at her own foolishness. Piya vowed to herself she would help Maithali and Abhayendra guard their love from the world. If Abhayendra and Maithali loved each other, she wouldn't allow someone else to come between them. Siddharth too would have to bow out. He would be heartbroken just like her, but if she could handle it, Siddharth would have to handle it too.

Dehradun, 2011:

Abhay closed his eyes, letting sleep wash over him. Vampires generally didn't need sleep, but Abhay wanted to wash away the warring voices in his head, particularly the one that sounded like his mother…….

Darkness enveloped the forest, and yet where Abhay stood, a flickering light illuminated the scene. He did not know where it came from, but it oddly reminded him of leaping flames. Through the haze of darkness , a figure came forwards into the light.She stopped directly in front of Abhay, and the pain in her face tore at him. "Piya?" he said hesitantly. "Please don't cry."
She appeared not to hear him. "Please believe me," she pleaded, tears running down her cheeks. "I swear I didn't want this!" Abhay stared at her. He wanted to move forward , to hold her, console her, but some force prevented him from moving a muscle. It felt as though he was being attacked by a thousand needles from all sides. "Please," she begged. "Please- please listen to me. I need to tell you-" And then Piya herself was thrown into the air, landing a few feet away. "Piya!"he shouted in alarm,trying to run to her, but he couldn't move. Piya got up shakily to her feet, then with one last look of anguish, she turned and ran back into the darkness.

And then Abhay's eyes opened, and he stood up, still trying to process what his sixth sense meant. But he wished he had some means of making sure Piya was all right. He laughed harshly to himself. What was he thinking? Piya was safe and happy as long as she was well away from him.

PS : Important- This chapter has been dedicated to Tanzie, Dishu , and Dhrishti for their awesome ideas- on the first part😆 Thank you guys🤗

And thanks everyone for so many lovely comments for the last one. Love you guys😳