Chapter 14 : Close Encounters
'Gosh, it's getting so terribly hot and humid,' said Piya irritably. 'I swear, I am going to die of this heat-'
'So switch on the AC,' said Abhay from the corner of the room.
He was sitting with a sheaf of files, looking completely unperturbed, in sharp contrast to a hot-and-bothered Piya who had just returned from her office.
She frowned. 'Yeah well, you're not the one who's walked up ten flights of steps because the elevator wasn't working!'
Abhay gave an amused smile. 'How nice. That'll help take some of your fat off- ow!'
Piya had flung a notepad at him.
'Shut. Up.' she gritted. 'I'm going to take a shower-'
'Mind if I join you?' he asked, smirking. 'It'd save water, you know-'
Piya flushed, and for a moment he thought she would hit him again, but then she tossed back her hair and said, 'Maybe if you ask nicely, some day.'
She stalked out of the room, and Abhay smirked, then continued to arrange the data he had got so far.
When she arrived about twenty minutes later, he hurriedly kept aside his file and rose to greet her with a kiss.
Her hair was damp and fell limply onto the shoulders, and she smelt vaguely of Johnson's Baby Powder.
She rolled her eyes at him. 'Fine boyfriend you are, I must say- calling your girlfriend fat, and then kissing her-'
'Don't you pick up on sarcasm?' he asked. 'You need to gain weight, not lose it. Besides,' he pulled her down next to him on the couch, 'You could grow two horns and tailfeathers and I would still like you.'
'Smooth move,' she said, grinning.
'I'm always smooth,' he retorted, smirking.
Her smile suddenly wilted. 'I told Leena, by the way,' she said. 'About us, you know-'
He looked puzzled. 'So?'
'So, there's a party tomorrow,' she said. 'And Leena said I was to bring you.'
He looked amused. 'Don't worry, Prickly Princess. I'll come to protect you.'
'Hey!' she swatted his arm. 'I'm trying very hard to shed that image!'
'You need to be comfortable,' said Abhay. 'There's no need to-'
'There is,' she said. 'I mean, I'm- I'm sort of feeling comfortable- more comfortable.'
His eyes were warm with affection. 'Good girl,' he said, as their hands clasped for a brief moment.
Then Piya sighed. 'I have to go get some article I need to edit,' she said. 'Be right back.'
As usual, they worked silently together, sometimes exchanging quick glances, which left Piya flushed each time.
Suddenly, Abhay closed all his files and cleared them away. 'Can I ask you something?' he said.
'Of course,' she said. 'Hold on, I just have to finish this one-'
About five minutes later, she looked up. Abhay was now standing, looking through the windows. She got up and went to join him. 'Are you okay?' she said, touching his arm.
He jumped, staring down at her hand.
'Yes,' he said, sounding unsure.
'What is it?' she said.
There was a pause before he spoke.
'Do you remember her?'
She looked at his face, seeing it torn. 'Who?'
'Anisha,' he said. 'Do you ever think about her?'
She reached out to grip the window sill. 'I think about her all the time, Abhay. I can't- I can't forget her.'
His hands rached out and gripped hers tightly. 'She reminded me of you.'
She smiled sadly, her eyes beginning to burn as she leaned against him. 'She reminded me of myself too. That's why- that's why I can't forget her, I guess. Because I could have ended up the same way.'
His face turned to hers, and there was a desperate longing in the way he kissed now. There was nothing gentle as their mouths fought for dominance with each other, and his hands rested on her hip, pulling her closer, while her hands fisted in his shirt.
When they broke apart, they were considerably dishevelled. The top three buttons of Abhay's shirt were somehow undone and his fingers were in Piya's hair, their foreheads touching.
'I can't lose you,' he whispered. 'I can't ever lose you.'
'I'm not going anywhere,' she whispered back. 'I promise Abhay, I won't- I won't kill myself.'
She drew back slightly, feeling a sense of loss as the contact broke. 'I could have done that ages ago, though,' she said softly. 'Maybe I would have, but for Di and Jiju. They- they really helped me to gain back my confidence in myself. And Leena of course.'
Her mouth twisted. 'I wanted to be that for Anisha, you know? I wanted to be to her what they were to me. I guess I failed.'
'No,' he said. 'It was my fault-'
She looked at him, seeing the anguish in his eyes.
'Look at me, Abhay,' she said. 'It wasn't your fault, okay? It was an accident. You're not some God-'
He smiled , but it lacked mirth. Then he pulled her close in an embrace and she buried her head in his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
Abhay was the first to pull away, distractedly rubbing his neck.
'God, I'm sorry, Piya, I didn't mean to attack you like that,' he said, looking extremely apologetic.
Piya smiled slightly, and shook her head. 'I didn't mind it so much.' Her voice was teasing, playful, but she caught on to the troubled look in his eyes.
'You all right?' she said, eyes clouded with concern.
He gave her a half-smile. 'Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine- just perfect-'
She didn't look convinced, but let the matter drop.
'Let's have dinner,' she suggested, tactfully changing the topic.
'Sure,' he said, his smile looking more genuine.
They had dinner in silence- not an awkward one, but rather a comfortable one.
'I'm really sorry about your show,' said Abhay.
She looked up. 'What?'
'Yeah, it really was a shame they shut it down,' he said, shaking his head. 'It had potential.'
A smile grew over her face. 'You liked it!'
'No!' he protested, but she was still smirking at him.
Then her smile faded. 'It was a pity,' she said. 'I mean- it's been a month, but I still miss it.'
'I see what you mean,' he said. 'I know you were attached to it-'
She snorted. 'Sorry,' he amended. 'You lived and breathed it-' he allowed himself a small grin at her expense, as she flushed. 'Shut up.'
'The mushroom's great, by the way,' he said as they finished. 'Thanks- you like mushrooms, don't you?' she replied, smiling.
'Yes, how did you-' he began, but she laughed.
'All the times we used to have Chinese? I watched you, you'd always pick out the mushrooms and save them for the last.'
He raised an impressed eyebrow. 'Not bad, Reporter.'
'It's my job to notice,' she said, smiling, as they cleared the dishes away.
About ten minutes later, they were both sitting on the couch, sipping cool glasses of lemonade.
'Piya?' said Abhay.
'Yeah?' she said, turning to him.
'You never tell me about your family, you know. I mean- you don't even mention-'
He watched as Piya's face clouded, and she bit her lip nervously.
'I don't really have much of a family, Abhay,' she hedged, sounding nervous.
'I mean, I love Misha, and her family, of course, but-'
'But?' he prompted. She shrugged. 'But nothing, really. She's the only real family I've got, she and Jiju and Leena-'
'Alina's your boss, right?' he said.
'Yeah,' said Piya, 'but she's also my Jiju's sister, so she's really like a sister to me, too.'
'Oh, I see,' he said. 'What about your parents?'
Piya stiffened visibly, looking extremely uncomfortable.
'I'm not close to either of my parents or any of my relatives,' she said, dispassionately.
'No other siblings?' he questioned.
She looked confused. 'Of course not. Misha's my only sister. We were two sisters- that was it. I didn't get on well with my cousins either.'
'Why?' he asked.
She shrugged. 'I don't really know. My aunts and uncles avoided any sort of contact with me, if you know what I mean.'
He looked surprised. 'Why?'
Piya shrugged. 'Hell if I know,' she said, shrugging. 'I mean, my own parents really hated me- that must've rubbed off on them, I guess.'
'But surely Piya, your parents wouldn't-' he began, but she waved a hand.
'You didn't live with them, Abhay,' she said softly. 'You didn't spend your teens listening to how incompetent you were and what a burden you were.'
'I'm sorry,' he said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
'I really am. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories-'
'It's okay, Abhay,' she said. 'You needed to know, anyway.'
A slight pause, then Abhay said, 'Don't mind, but the few times I caught a glimpse of your mom, I thought she was a nutcase.'
Piya choked as she inhaled her lemonade. Half-coughing, half-laughing, she looked at Abhay, tears of mirth running down her cheeks.
Once she stopped coughing, she wiped her tears away. 'Thanks,' she said, still giggling. 'That was funny.'
'It's the truth!' insisted Abhay. 'I swear- when she used to come, all dolled up in makeup and saying you were a most awful student when you came second- that was so idiotic. I mean, no wonder you were such a swot. I can't remember a day you weren't buried in your books.'
She frowned, then her lips turned up in a grin. 'Yeah, it was funny, I guess, if you look at it like that.'
He grinned back. 'Yes, it was.'
'How's that research of your going on?' she asked suddenly.
Abhay shook his head, looking suddenly wary. 'Not good, Piya... I got sidetracked, but maybe it'll help in the long run...'
'Im sure it will,' said Piya soothingly. 'It'll be okay.'
'I hope so,' he muttered, almost to himself. 'God, I really hope it turns out okay.'
Piya looked at him curiously. 'Is it something like- Anisha?' she said tentatively.
Abhay shook his head. 'Bigger, Piya. And please don't ask me for details- I can't.'
Piya nodded. She knew Abhay was uncomfortable, and he probably needed space.
She yawned and stretched. 'I'm exhausted, Abhay. Do you mind if I go to sleep?'
'It's only half-past eleven,' he said, grinning. 'Trained you well, haven't I?'
'Keep talking and get a nice scar on your head, just like Harry Potter,' she warned, waving her glass. 'I don't mind breaking a few glasses-'
'Oh, all right,' said Abhay, pretending to huff. 'Good night and spare my head.'
She yawned again. 'Yeah, okay. Goodnight.'
Abhay watched her go, the smile dropping off his face. He knew Piya's nightmares would be worse today, but he had to poke it out of her... 'Damn, Piya, I'm sorry, so sorry,' he whispered to the empty room. He had never felt this guilty, purposely lying to her. He could not afford to forget his mission now...he could not back out.
He sat in silence, his ears strained...waiting...
And then he heard her. She was screaming in terror tonight. He was beside her in a minute, lighting the bedside lamp and looking at her terrified face. Piya was drenched in sweat. He cradled her , managing to pull her into a sitting position, whispering words of comfort into her hair. Gradually, the screams stopped and she started sobbing. 'Piya, shhh,' he said. 'It's okay, it's all right, please wake up.'
She seemed to wake slightly. Looking at him through sleep-heavy eyes, she whispered desperately, 'I didn't. I swear I didn't. Please-'
He couldn't help holding her close, waiting till the sobs subsided and Piya's sleep gradually became more relaxed.
He waited till her breathing evened out and then wiped away the sweat from her face and neck, refusing to dwell on anything else.
Then laying her back on the pillow , he pulled up the duvet to her chin and brushed away a lock of hair from her face. 'I'm sorry,' he whispered as he left the room.
He got very little sleep that night.
-Next evening-
'Are you coming, or not?' demanded Abhay, knocking on the closed door.
There was a loud 'Humph!' before the door opened, and a very irritated, though fully dressed Piya looked out.
Her hair was pulled up into a chignon, and her eyes were lined with black. She was wearing a white knee-length dress, with a slight cut across the middle, giving a teasing glance at her waist.
His eyes went up to meet hers, which were openly laughing at him now. 'What?' she said, grinning. 'Like what you see?'
'What's with the hair?' he blurted out.
She raised a pencilled eyebrow. 'My hair?'
'Why aren't you wearing it loose?' he asked. He watched as surprise came over her face. 'Oh... I didn't know you liked my hair loose. It's just really hot, you know, so I pulled it up.'
'No, I- that's okay,' said Abhay, desperately trying to think what it was that he had knocked on her room for. Damn Piya- he felt like a silly teenager looking at his first crush. Except of course, Piya was much more than a crush...
'Everything okay?' said Piya.
'Oh, yes,' he said, brought rudely back to earth. 'Um- so shouldn't we be leaving?'
They were walking out ten minutes later, after Piya had double-locked her door. They took the elevator down and almost at once Abhay realised it was a bad idea...she was standing much too close to him. His fingers curled into fists, but Piya didn't seem to noticed.
For once, their route seemed slightly less jammed and they reached the party-surprisingly- in just over an hour.
Abhay noticed how, in spite of Piya immediately smiling and gretting everyone, her hand was vice-like on his arm, and once or twice he saw a shadow flit across her eyes.
Most people were looking at him, or at Piya...
Acting on impulse, he gently brushed her hand away and instead put an arm around her waist, smirking as she shivered slightly when his fingers touched skin. As they met up with Alina, he noticed how her gaze seemed to flit downto his arm on her waist before looking back at him, a slightly smug smile on her face.
'So, how are you doing?' she said pleasantly. 'We covered your conference that day-'
'Yeah,' said another woman, coming up. 'Extremely cool and unaffected, as usual- and our Piya didn't even tell us she was dating a hunk like you.'
A smile played on Abhay's lips as Piya immediately moved closer to him, as though staking her territory. 'We weren't dating them, Shruti,' she said, sounding abashed. 'We were simply friends then-'
'Yeah, and when did you start dating?' said a guy, grinning. 'Two weeks ago, after the conference?'
Piya narrowed her eyes. 'Sahil, do you ever stop fooling around?'
'Naah,' he said, grinning. 'You look hot, by the way. Oh-' he held out his hand to Abhay, 'I'm Sahil Kumar. Interesting to finally meet you.'
Out of the corner of her eye, Piya saw Alina gesture furiously at her, inviting her to join them on the dance floor, but she shook her head. Alina rolled her eyes and joined the crowd of dancers.
Abhay raise an eyebrow, but shook his hand. 'Interesting?' he drawled. 'Yeah,' said Sahil. 'I mean- it's the first time Piya entered with a guy- and that too, allowing him to touch her, that makes it very interesting, isn't it?'
Without waiting for an answer, he signalled to the waiter to serve them drinks. 'Well have fun,' he said, grinning as he walked away.
'He asked you out?' said Abhay, once Sahil was out of earshot. 'And that's all you got?' said Piya, looking irritated. 'Yeah, he asked me out, I turned him down. I told you- I haven't really had a serious relationship with anyone-'
Abhay smiled slightly, nodding his head. 'Of course. I understand...sorry.'
She relaxed at once.
They stood together side by side, looking at the dance floor.
"I love this song," said Piya, tapping her glass as the song changed to "Lat Lag Gayi", a smile lighting her face.
Beimaan, Dil bada be-imaan
Hota nahi aasaan isey hai samjhana
Beimaan, Dil bada be-imaan
Tere liye shaitan
Meri naa ek maana...
Abhay downed his drink and made a face. "It's about addiction. What's so great about it?"
"Unromantic idiot," she mumbled, scowling as he immediately smirked.
She ignored him, humming the lines.
Dil jeete yaa main jeetu
Dekhungi dekhega tu
Lo dil se sharat lag gayi
Mujhe to teri lat lag gayi, lag gayi
Zamaana kahe lat yeh ghalat lag gayi
Mujhe to teri lat lag gayi, lag gayi
Zamaana kahe lat yeh galat lag gayi...
"Piya, come and dance!" said Alina, dragging her off. This time she didn't resist, throwing a spiteful look at Abhay over her shoulder. The smile slid off his face.
Mujhe to teri aa aa aa aah yeah
Aaa aa aa aah yeah
Aahh aah aa aa Lat lag gayi
Mujhe toh teri aa aah aa aa yeh
Aa aa aa aah yeah..
Piya joined the throng of dancers on the floor and almost immediately found a partner . Abhay's eyes narrowed. It was Sahil. Gulping down his fourth drink in one go, he made his way purposefully towards them.
"Mind if I cut in?" he asked, his gaze on Piya, who was grinning now.
Roku jitna utni bagawat ho
Lagta hai aisa haal-e-dil ki tum zaroorat ho
Without waiting for an answer, he jerked her to him so that their bodies collided.
Roku jitna utni bagawat ho
Lagta hai aisa haal-e-dil ki tum zaroorat ho
Piya's smile faltered, but her eyes were blazing : he could see his own desire reflected in the flaming orbs. They stared at her each other in utter silence, uncaring of the crowd around, unaware of the many people who were turning to stare at them...
Mujhko bhi tu zaroori
Tu bhi nashein main poori
O kaisi yeh talab lag gayi
Mujhe to teri lat lag gayi, lag gayi
Zamaana kahe lat yeh ghalat lag gayi
Mujhe to teri lat lag gayi, lag gayi
Zamaana kahe lat yeh ghalat lag gayi
Abhay's hands automatically covered her waist and her arms came to rest on his shoulder. They moved in sync, oblivious to everything as he let her spin around, before pulling her against him, so that her back was pressed against his chest. And although his hands were only holding her waist and her hand, she felt as though she was drowning...in something deep and nameless...
Mujhe to teri aa aa aa aah yeah
Aaa aa aa aah yeah aah aa Lat lag gayi
Mujhe to teri aa aa aa aah yeah
Aaa aa aa aah yeah aah aa Lat lag gayi
Mujhe to teri
He wasn't smiling either, but Piya could see the fierce triumph in his eyes as he dipped her low, before twirling her. Dimly, she realised they were more or less alone on the dance floor, but the fact did not bother her as much as it should have, because he was pulling her close to him again, before spinning her away from him, and pulling her back to him again.
Ek tu, ek main, ek baat hui apni
Hairaan hai kyun saara jahaan
Jo raat hui apni
Ek tu, ek main, ek baat hui apni
Hairaan hai kyun saara jahaan
Jo raat hui apni
She knew they were alone now and that everyone was watching, but something like anger- or was it something else? brimmed up in her, letting her ignore it all.
His fingers skimmed down her bare arms, stopping to catch her hand again, only to twirl her and then dip her again.
Mujhse tu aake mila
Toh yeh hua hai sila
Ki sau tohmat lag gayi
Mujhe toh teri lat lag gayi, lag gayi
Zamaana kahe lat yeh galat lag gayi
Mujhe toh teri lat lag gayi, lag gayi
Zamaana kahe lat yeh galat lag gayi
She couldn't believe what he was doing to her. He was smiling again, pulling her close before lifting her easily and setting her down again, smirking wider at her shocked expression.
"Stop laughing," she hissed, as he pulled her closer. "This isn't funny. I don't normally dance like this." He smirked, taking advantage of her by dipping her low and saying, "But isn't this what you wanted, to give all your colleagues a show?"
Mujhe to teri aa aa aa aah yeah
Aaa aa aa aah yeah aa aa aa lat lag gayi
Mujhe to teri...
Aaa aa aa aah yeah aa aa aa lat lag gayi
Mujhe to teri...
The song ended right on cue as Piya glared at him. The phrase "if looks could kill" floated inside Abhay's head.
Applause broke out and Piya flushed furiously. "Don't you want to acknowledge your fans?" said Abhay, nodding to them.
She meant to stalk off , but his arm was suddenly vice-like on her waist. Still smiling, he led her towards Alina who was positively jumping with excitement. "So when's the wedding?" she said, grinning. "Alina!" said Piya, sounding scandalised.
"We have to go, Alina,sorry," said Abhay. "I have a hellion to tame here, so if you guys'll excuse me-"
Piya closed her eyes. It was all she could do not to shout at him right then. As they walked out, she was relieved to hear the sounds of everyone going back to partying. Great, she thought. Now she had to deal with office gossip.
She wanted to bang Abhay's head.
They walked out in silence, Piya simmering in rage, but reigning her temper so as not to make a scene. As they sat in the car, she opened her mouth to give him a piece of her mind- and Abhay's cell phone rang.Looking rather apologetic, Abhay picked it up. "Kabir?" he said. "What's up?"
She could hear his voice, and then Abhay's jaw dropped. "What? No way!"
Piya stared at him in shock.
PS. Right, so I hope you guys will forgive me for the atrocious dance sequence writing... the first time I did it🤢
Edited by bookworm-ALS-- - 12 years ago
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