Chapter 24
Alina groaned under her breath as they left Sid's cabin. 'Hey,' said Piya. 'What's wrong?'
'Nothing,' said Alina. Piya raised her eyebrows. 'Nothing?'
Alina pursed up her mouth. Their cubicles were adjacent to each other, so they could talk while they each worked on their respective tasks. 'It's this stupid party,' muttered Alina. 'As if I don't have enough to think about-'
'Hey,' said Piya. 'I can take over, if you like.'
'I can't do that,' said Alina. 'This is my job-'
'We won't tell anyone,' said Piya. 'Let me do it, Alina- '
'I won't take your credit,' said Alina flatly. 'Oh, stop it,' said Piya. 'He told us both to do it. He didn't specify exactly how much each of us were supposed to do, right?'
'But-' began Alina. 'No buts,' said Piya. 'You can send out the invitation cards. Let me do the rest.'
Alina felt a wave of gratitude to Piya. The girl was trying her best to help. 'Thanks,' she said, smiling at her. 'I'll just finish my reports-'
'Sure,' said Piya. 'I need to complete this design as well.'
Piya fell silent, but Alina remained on tenterhooks, enough to see Sid quietly slip away. A nagging worry settled in her stomach. She knew, could feel it- he had gone to HER.
At that moment, Alina felt a surge of hatred so powerful she felt sure she would have at least attempted to kill Maithali.
'Alina?' came Piya's voice. 'Is everything okay? You look...strange.'
Piya wasn't that oblivious, then. 'Yes, I'm fine,' she said schooling her features. 'Just worried about the party.'
Piya did not press her further. They worked in relative silence throughout, occasionally exchanging a word or shared smiles. Alina wanted to tell Piya exactly who she was...but she would have to wait. She needed to give her small bytes of information.
'I won't be driving you home today,' said Alina, smirking as she and Piya were going towards the gates. Office was over, and now Alina was looking forward to a chat with her best friend.
Piya's face fell, but she composed herself quickly. 'It's all right,' she said. 'I can manage.'
'Sure,' said Alina. 'Thanks- for not being mad-'
Piya swatted her. 'Don't be silly. You go get your car, I'll just call a taxi or something.'
Alina grinned as she went alone to the parking, getting into her car. Piya wouldn't be going in a taxi...oh no...she had seen her personal chauffeur waiting outside about five minutes ago. She resisted the temptation to stick her head out and wish him a good evening as she passed him on her way out.
Piya was lost in her thoughts as she made her way out. Foremost among them was how Alina had seemed almost...happy at having to leave her? Or was she imagining it?
She was brought rudely back to earth when she crashed into something solid.
'Head in the clouds, Piya?' said an irritated voice. 'Or were you intentionally trying to headbutt me?'
Mortified, Piya looked up...into Abhay's face. She gulped and shot backwards. 'I'm sorry!' she squeaked. 'I didn't mean-'
Her voice caught in her throat. She waited on tenterhooks, eye shut tight for him to throw accusations at her. 'What's wrong with you?' said Abhay, sounding bewildered. 'You're acting like I'm going to hit you or something!'
She opened her eyes. Abhay looked angry and frustrated, but he schooled his features and smiled tightly at her. 'I was about to offer you a lift,' he said. 'You can't tell me you're going back to your hostel alone.'
She stared at him for a few seconds before comprehending. 'I- uh- you don't need to do this, Abhay,' she began, but Abhay forestalled her. 'I'll pick you up and put you in if I have to, Piya,' he snapped. 'I am not in a good mood right now, so stop being such a stonehead.'
'Pot calling the kettle black,' she muttered as she got in, not noticing the slight smile on his face at her words. She started slightly as he got in and the door was pulled shut with a soft thud.
Abhay started the car.
They were silent for a while as he navigated the car smoothly through the roads. 'How was your day?' said Abhay suddenly.
Piya tensed. 'Busy, I guess.'
'I really don't like you working there,' he muttered.
'Lucky I didn't ask your permission then,' she muttered.
Abhay snorted. 'When have you asked for my permission, Piya?'
Heat flooded her cheeks. 'I-uh-'
'Oh, will you bloody relax!' said Abhay suddenly, and Piya jumped, startled by his tone. His jaw was clenched and his hands were fisted around the wheel. The speedometer spiked upwards.
Not looking at her, Abhay said in a very controlled tone, 'Stop acting like I'm going to hit you, or molest you, or something. For God's sake, I don't bite- well, not much,' he amended at the end of his sentence.
'I wish,' muttered Piya. 'It would be easier if you'd hit me, I could go back to hating you.'
Plop. Plop. Raindrops were beginning to fall on the glass.
Slowly, Abhay relaxed, and so the speedometer dropped into a more natural speed. 'Piya,' he began carefully, 'For God's sake, please- stop acting like this. This- this whole thing you've got going in your head that I'm some kind of a strict taskmaster who you need to mind your Ps and Qs around- just stop it.'
The rain became heavier, the drops falling more insistently. Abruptly, the brakes screeched to a halt. 'There you go,' said Abhay, with something like disgust in his voice. She shrunk away. 'You've reached your hostel, now you can get away from the beast.'
Piya stopped fumbling with the locks and stared at him. He turned his face away, but for a fraction of a second, she'd seen a burning pain in those compelling eyes. She swallowed, blinking back her own tears. She'd hurt his feelings again.
He got out of the car, and held open the door for her. The rain fell over his face, making it seem as if he was crying. Piya couldn't bear it.
She reached up to wipe away the drops from his face, unconscious of the fact that she was getting wet too now. He stilled as she touched his face, then reality crashed in and she withdrew her hand as if she had been burned.
'Please,' she whispered. 'Please don't be sad. I didn't mean to- I can't-'
He acted on impulse, his fingers wrapping around her jawline, trapping it in place as he bent his head...
His lips had barely touched hers when Piya's cellphone rang. As though scalded, he released her, awareness crashing through him at what he was about to do- had almost done-
'I'll see you around Abhay,' said Piya, numbly. She couldn't believe it- for a second, she had believed he was really going to-
She couldn't stand there, in the pouring rain. 'Go,' said Abhay. 'Go in, you'll catch a bad cold.'
'Yes,' she said softly, taking out her handbag from the car. As she passed him, she could have sworn she heard him say, 'Forgive me.'
But his lips were not moving, and Piya shrugged it off as her hyperactive and Abhay-crazed imagination. Just because he wasn't in love with her didn't mean he wouldn't be nice to her. Besides, he hadn't given any hint of overwhelming atttraction.
There had been a moment, when he had held her...but her illusions had been shattered the moment he moved away, his face contorted in disgust.
Piya cried herself to sleep that night.
Abhay couldn't believe how easily he had lost control. Traitorously, the moment replayed itself over and over in his head.
Self-loathing rose up within him like bile, twisting and turning within him like a snake, till he felt physically ill.
Scared. That's what Piya felt. She was-she had been-afraid of him. He'd seen her this afraid only once- on that night she'd found out what he was. But this time- he couldn't even fall back on a flimsy excuse that she was afraid of him not being human. She was afraid of what he would do to her. The realization made him want to howl.
Would she talk to him again? Would she tell him tomorrow she wanted him out of her life-this time, for good? He would have stayed away from her anyway, if it hadn't been for Reina. And of course his resurrected 'brother' Sid.
The door to his bedroom opened slightly. Haseena Raichand looked down at her son. 'You're dripping on the carpet,' she told him disdainfully. 'Couldn't you change your clothes if you've been gallivanting around in the rain?'
'I haven't been-' Abhay began, but gave it up. He didn't feel like talking. Haseena smirked suddenly. 'Want to know some good news?' she said.
'Fine,' he said dully.
'We just recieved an invitation to a party.'
'I'm not interested,' snapped Abhay. 'You two can go and have fun.' Haseena shook her head. 'Impossible, that's what you are.'
'Go away, Mom,' said Abhay rudely. 'Fine!' said Haseena. 'Don't tell me later I didn't tell you about Sid's party.'
Abhay's head whipped around to stare at her. 'Exactly,' said Haseena, smirk back in place. 'And I hear a certain Piya will be there, as well. Oh well, if you're not interested, then we won't go-'
'We're going.' Abhay interrupted.
'Are you sure?' said Haseena. 'We are?'
'Mom, if you don't stop now-'
'All right, all right. Change out of those wet clothes, you're spoiling my carpet.' Haseena left the room, muttering something about 'teenagers' and 'anger issues.'
Something else nagged at Abhay's mind, however.
Why had Sid decided to announce himself?
Abhay tried to stay out of Piya's way for the next few days, but it was very difficult, with Ms Gupta assigning them opposite each other in every drama class. She said it was to punish them for fluffing lines that day, but Abhay suspected otherwise : he had once caught her smirking as she looked over at them rehearsing. Piya herself was quieter than usual, brushing off Misha with uncharacteristic reticence and not speaking to Abhay for fear she would forget herself again.
Abhay was almost sure that Alina would not harm Piya. He had seen affection for Piya when Alina used to drop Piya at her hostel and watch till the light of her room flickered on in her room. Reina had not manipulated his dreams, but he could not shake off the nagging suspicion that she reminded him of someone...someone he knew...but who?
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'Dishu, please, please please,' said Alina. 'Please please, pretty please!' Dishu rolled her eyes, turning a page of 'Sleeping Murder' idly. They were at Ms. Gupta's home, and Alina was currently making her 5th attempt to ask Dishu to come with her to the party that night.
'I don't see why you need me,' she said. 'You have Piya there, and I think you're perfectly capable of dealing with Siddharth.'
Alina groaned. 'Dishu, you know I hate parties.'
'What am I, your chaperone?' said Dishu, but a smile tugged at her lips.
Alina grinned in triumph. 'You are coming, then?'
'Only because you called me, mind you,' said Dishu, shaking her head.
Alina rushed and tackled Dishu in a fierce hug. 'Thank you thank you thank you!' she squealed.
Ms Gupta awkwardly hugged her back, then bent up to pick up the fallen book.
'Fine, fine, ' she said. 'The things I do for you...'
At seven thirty, Alina came to pick up Ms Gupta from her house and her eyebrows rose in amazement. 'I told you you were pretty,' she said finally.
Ms Gupta, for once, had dressed up in a long red off-shoulder gown with a slit upto her thigh. Her hair, usually pinned up, was loose and fell in elegant waves onto her shoulders. She looked like a college sophomore, and Alina told her so as they reached the venue.
Ms Gupta shook her head. 'I couldn't let you down, could I?' she said, tossing back her head in a fake show of pride. 'Besides, you seem to be able to turn a few heads on your own.'
Alina looked around as she entered the room. Heads were indeed turning towards them. 'They're looking at you,' she told Ms Gupta. Her companion said nothing, her gaze flitting towards a pretty girl in a strapless white knee length frock-style dress ruched at the waist. Piya Dobriyal, in all her supermodel glory, was posing for the shutterbugs.
'Perfect,' said Alina, following her gaze. 'He'll be wearing black, of course. Abhay, I mean.'
As they watched, Piya turned away from the phtographers, making her way inside. Her smile faded once she was inside, giving way to a more worried look. Her eyes scanned the room, briefly smiling at Alina before she went over to a worker, Carolyn, no doubt rechecking some detail.
Sid's eyes searched the room. Not finding Alina, he made his way towards Piya. 'Piya, have you seen AK- I mean, Alina?' he said. Piya looked surprised. 'She's behind you, look. Near the bar.' Sid looked in the direction. He saw two very pretty women in deep conversation, but no Alina.
'There she is,' said Piya. 'In the blue gown, haven't you seen her?'
Siddharth tuned her out. Alina was there. Except- she didn't look like the quiet, hardworking secretary who wore formals to his office everyday.No, this girl looked like a picture that would catch anyone's attention. Her hair was open, and she was wearing an ice-blue dress that covered her till her thighs and- she was laughing with another, very pretty woman. They seemed friends..
He moved towards them. Alina's friend, the pretty woman in red, noticed him first, and must have told her about him, because Alina looked up to face him.
Close to, he could see her kohl-lined eyes were wary- and it was that which made him sure that it was indeed Alina. 'Hello, Alina,' he said, his mouth lifted in a smirk. 'Never knew you could look attractive.' Her eyes frosted over, and she said coolly, 'Good evening, Sir. I trust the preparations are adequate? Piya had told me she would be greeting the guests.'
'Obviously,' said Sid, 'She wanted you to have some time alone with your gorgeous friend, Miss-?'
Ms Gupta raised an eyebrow. 'It's Miss Gupta, Mr. Malik. It's a pleasure to meet you.'
Sid shook her hand, raising it to his lips, before saying, 'Likewise, Miss Gupta. Do pardon my ignorance- I do not know all the beautiful ladies in this town. You are an actress, perhaps? Or a model?'
'Neither,' said Miss Gupta, smiling. 'I am a teacher.' She almost laughed out loud at the flabbergasted expression on his face. He recovered soon enough, however, and said, 'Well, a pleasure meeting you, ma'am,' before drifting away.
Alina felt a pang of disappointment. All that effort, just to be completely ignored. Just to be called 'attractive.'
'He likes you,' said Ms Gupta in a low voice. Alina brushed her away. 'He doesn't.'
'Whatever you say, dear,' said Miss Gupta. 'And look- the Raichands arrive. They sure know how to make an entrance, don't they?'
Siddharth glanced over at Piya, who was now seemingly engrossed in a conversation with her recently-arrived family, who were all shooting him suspicious looks. There had been a very tense moment when one of the media had asked him about his resemblance to another person called Siddharth, but Piya had saved the situation that lookalikes did indeed exist, as she herself had been called to be a lookalike of a late princess. It didn't stop Arnab Dobriyal from glaring at him.
Well, some things would never change.
Talking of families..he needed to go greet his own.
'Well, good evening, dear family,' said Siddharth cheerfully, greeting the Raichands. Abhay stiffened, but said nothing. Haseena looked at him shrewdly, her eyes calculating. Strangely, Chand seemed to be amused. 'Good evening indeed,' he said sardonically.
'Perhaps you would like some special drinks?' continued Siddharth. 'I'd personally recommend the Bloody Mary-'
'As I have already said once before,' said Abhay in a soft, yet menacing voice, 'I would rather not drink.'
Haseena discreetly pulled Chand away. 'Let them talk,' she said once they were out of earshot. Neither of their sons seemed to notice, as they squared up to one another.' 'Besides,' said Chand, 'I can see the Khuranas.'
Haseena hissed. She hated Dipannita Khurana and her son, Jeh. There were times she had fantasized running long fingernails across Dipannita's face, just to see the amount of make up that would come off. With a few inches of flesh, of course.
Chand put a warning hand on her elbow. She turned away to distract herself- and her eyes fell on Piya. A very worried looking Piya, who was now moving towards Siddharth.
Piya was panicking. Abhay and Siddharth looked like they were talking. She hurried forwards to hear. She caught Sid's last words. '-making a huge mistake, brother.'
'What's going on?' said Piya sharply. 'Sir?' she added with a glance at Abhay. Sid smiled disarmingly. 'Oh, just a friendly chit chat between old friends.'
Piya looked worriedly at Abhay. His face was anything but friendly.
'Anyway, I must be meeting the others, ' said Siddharth, smiling. 'I'll leave you to it, then?'
And before she could protest, he was off. She stood for a moment in awkward silence. 'What, exactly,is that?'
Piya swallowed. 'What is what?'
Abhay's eyes darkened, and he snapped, 'Do you seriously like wearing such...' he gestured to her dress.
Hot anger swelled up in her. 'You are not my stylist,' she snapped. 'Whatever I wear is none of your business.'
She made to turn away, but he caught her hand, turning her around to face her.
'Of course it isn't,' he said. 'It isn't my business what you wear, what you do,where you go, who you talk to, who you work for- why don't you just tell me you want me out of your life?'
Piya gaped at him. 'Abhay- look, just stop dictating my life,' she said wearily. 'You've done enough of it anyway-'
'What?' said Abhay, and Piya knew she had made a huge mistake. 'Just let me go,' she mumbled, wrenching free and moving to the other corner of the room.
Reina, who was present among the guests, smirked as she watched the drama playing out. Thickheaded that both Abhay and Piya were, she could see how long it would take for both of them to accept each other...but Sid was definitely going to quicken things up. She smiled a secret smile all to herself.
'Excuse me,' said Alina to Miss Gupta. 'I need to go talk to Piya.'
Miss Gupta nodded.
Alina hurried over to Piya and took her outside.
Miss Gupta watched them go. Teenagers were so dramatic! 'Excuse me, ma'am,' said a smooth voice behind her, 'but could I trouble you for a dance?'
She turned to see Siddharth Malik standing behind her. 'And among so many women, it is me you have to ask for a dance?' she asked coolly. Siddharth smiled his signature suave grin. 'But you are quite clearly, the most beautiful of them all.'
Miss Gupta rolled her eyes. 'And how many times have you used this line on other women?'
'You wound me,' he said theatrically, clutching his chest. The beginnings of a smile tugged at the corner her lips. 'Besides,' said Sid, 'I'm only being a good host here...'
'Will it get you to stop bothering me if I agree to dance with you?' said Miss Gupta, delicately placing her goblet on the counter. Sid bowed. 'At your service, ma'am,' he said, holding out his hand out in exaggerated chivalry.
She took his hand and accompanied him to the dance floor, as a slow song started playing. 'You don't talk much,' said Sid, taking her waist. 'Is it a byproduct of being with my secretary?'
Miss Gupta refrained from smiling. 'Alina, like me, prefers to talk more with people she is comfortable with. What kind of a person I am is not influenced by anyone.'
'Well, I don't know,' said Sid, 'but good looks and frigidity seem to go hand in hand. Here I get ignored all evening by two very beautiful ladies-'
Miss Gupta pivoted on the spot and interrupted Siddharth,'You also get fawned on by a hundred other beauties, Mr. Malik.'
Something seemed to strike Siddharth's head. 'Is that way she is ignoring me? Do you think she's jealous?'
'Absolutely not,' said Miss Gupta, as they swayed to the music. 'But it lends you an air of-how do I say it- incredibility, you know.'
Out of the corner of her eyes Miss Gupta saw Alina and Piya enter the room again.
She sent a grimace Alina's way, hoping she would understand. Alina smiled back at her, but then Sid's eyes locked with hers and she gave him the coldest glare she could muster.
'Does she talk about me?' said Siddharth, as he twirled her lightly. Miss Gupta smirked. 'Occassionally. And whenever she mentions you it is most definitely unflattering.' She saw with some satisfaction how his face fell. Good, better he learn how to treat Alina right.
'What kind of unflattering?' he asked, but just then, the song drew to a close. Miss Gupta disengaged herself. 'That, Mr. Malik,' she said, 'is something for you to find out on your own.'
She went to join Alina, who was looking rather miserable.
On the other hand, Piya hurried over to Sid. 'Please, I need to talk to you,' she pleaded. 'Of course,' said Sid, following her into the garden, when they would not be overheard. Everyone else was inside- or so he thought.
'Siddharth-listen- you can't tell Abhay anything,' she said. 'You have to understand- this is-'
'Relax,' said Siddharth. 'I won't be telling him anything.'
'Thank God,' whispered Piya. 'Oh God, if Abhay knows-'
'He should,' said Siddharth pointedly. 'But I won't be doing the honours, Piya.'
He turned and walked back inside, leaving Piya alone...
Well, not quite alone. Someone-hidden in the darkness of the night- had heard every word. Abhay closed his eyes. His worst fear had come true- there was something big that Piya was hiding. And Siddharth knew it.
PS. I know this update is rather late...but I was loath to write it because I don't like writing parties😆anyways, Dishu gave me the "push" to write this update😆 Your thoughts?
Edited by bookworm-ALS-- - 12 years ago
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