Chapter 18
Dehradun, 2011 :
Raichand Mansion :
'What do you mean, she's vanished?' snapped Abhay.
'She gave the interview a month ago, Sir,' came the apologetic voice. 'We have tried to contact her but her agency says she will be available after tomorrow.'
'And there has no been news of her?' said Abhay, wanting to be sure.
'No, Mr.Raichand,' came the apologetic answer. 'If there is any way we could help-'
Abhay switched off the phone , resisting the temptation to howl in frustration.
His thoughts stared to Siddharth, who was dead and had now been brought back- temporarily as a human. Why has Siddharth helped him against the wolves? The question had plagued him all day.
He'd told Chand and Haseena about the new vampire-human being Sid, but he could tell his mother still had a soft spot for him.
Anyway, he would not be extending the olive branch to him anytime soon. He didn't trust Sid, and more so after what he'd done to Maithali...and him...and Piya...
Trying to get Piya out of his mind, he decided to leave the house for a while.
As he neared the edge of the forest, he saw a tall woman with flowing hair wearing a midnight blue robe. She seemed to be luminiscent as she stood there and smiled at him.
Abhay's senses kicked into overdrive. This was a High Witch, one of the most powerful witches in the universe. 'Evening, Abhay,' she said softly, her voice like silk.
Abhay stared at her warily. What did she want?
'You spoiled my plans, you know,' she said serenely as she circled him like a wolf. 'Rather badly, if I say so myself. I wanted to punish you, you know.'
Abhay stared at her. 'You- YOU took Piya?' he hissed , suddenly furious. 'You?'
'Me,' said the witch simply. 'Although I didn't take her. She came on her own, searching for answers.'
Abhay advanced on her menacingly, but she smiled. 'You won't do anything to me,' she said softly, 'Because you love her. You love her.'
Abhay stopped dead. 'Leave Piya out of this,' he whispered hoarsely. 'I spoiled your plans. Don't punish her. Punish me!'
'But I am punishing you even now, Abhay,' she said lightly. 'Every moment is a punishment for you, knowing that it was your insistence to push her away that led to this. You really should be careful what you wish for...' She sighed. 'I didn't punish her. She is safe where she is. Hopefully, I will make her happier. But I spoiled your plans, Abhay. I spoiled them, and you don't even know how.'
She laughed again.
'What did I do to deserve this!' shouted Abhay. 'What?' He grabbed her shoulders and shook her hard. Her smile vanished as she pulled away from his grasp.
'You spoiled my plans by pushing her away. You took her memories, and got yourself frozen. I'd say, a major disruption, Abhay. Good thing she loves you that much. How many vampires do you know who have been brought back to life from the ice- and not by the person who cursed them? No one. But you still pushed away, didn't you? You still broke her heart, again and again. And you spoiled my plans again!'
Her face looked almost menacing now. Suddenly it softened. 'She will be back in a day or two, and you know what? You won't be able to push her away. No, I won't be compelling anyone,' she added, noticing his expression.
'So you can count your days of peace over, Abhay. Piya's coming back.'
She turned around and stalked away. 'Who are you?' he shouted after her. She paused. 'Me?' she said. 'My name is Reina.'
She faded from his sight.
Next day :
Alina gritted her teeth as she typed out the emails to various companies. Siddharth probably thought she was a machine or something, the way he piled her with work. She almost hated the fact that she was coming to the office- but Siddharth needed a very sharp eye to be kept on him.
He would be a vampire in three months- and she would be free.
'Er, Alina,' said the devil's voice. 'Yes , Sir,' she replied, emphasizing the last word with a great deal of sarcasm. 'I believe your brother is dating a supermodel who's been missing for a week. Piya Dobriyal?'
'Yes... Sir,' answered Alina. Siddharth contemplated his next words. 'I believe I knew her once. When she is found and you meet her, can you fix an appointment with her?'
'Very well, Sir,' said Alina. She should be found by evening, she thought with grim satisfaction.
Pandher, 1858 :
'Piyali, have you seen how high the moon is?' said Siddhartha.
They were sitting together in the stables. Abhayendra had gone off with Maithali somewhere around evening. It was now quite late in the night, and in spite of Siddharth's protests, Piya had stayed with him.
She thought she knew where Abhayendra would be, and the knowledge crushed her even worse.
Just then there were footsteps. Piya ran out to see Abhayendra, closely followed by Siddharth.
He looked tousled and dishevelled, and Piya knew then for certain. She heard Siddharth's sharp intake of breath and knew he had drawn the same conclusion.
'So,' said Siddharth mockingly, 'Had fun, did you, little brother?'
Abhayendra glared at him. 'It's none of your business.'
Siddharth laughed out loud. 'Not my business? Of course not, why should it be my business what you do between the sheets?'
'Siddharth!' said Piya, tugging on his arm. 'Stop it!'
Abhayendra frowned at her. 'And what would you be doing here at this time of night?'
'Don't worry, little brother,' cut in Siddharth. 'I'm not like you to take advantage of a woman's virtue.'
Piya gasped in shock. 'Siddharth!'
A second later, Abhay's fist hit Siddharth's chest and sent him flying. He hit the ground with a dull thud a few metres away, and got up almost at once, his eyes full of hatred.
'Hit a nerve, have I , little brother?' he taunted. Piya was looking at Abhayendra's face. His jaws were clenched in repressed fury and his hands were curled into fists. All at once a memory hit her , so powerfully she could not breathe.
A man was throttling her in a garden. She would die... There was no one...
And then his hold over her ceased. When she looked up, Abhay was holding the man by the neck, his eyes flashing in cold fury.
The vision faded away and she was back to seeing Abhayendra and Siddharth square up to one another.
'No!' she implored, pulling Siddharth around. 'You promised me you'd control yourself... Please, Siddharth...'
'I don't think so, Piyali,' he said harshly pulling away. 'I changed my mind, I'm not surrendering the woman I love to my younger brother.'
'Siddharth-' began Piya, but froze as Abhayendra's voice cut across. 'What?'
'Abhayendra, he doesn't mean it,' began Piya.
'Oh yes, I do, little brother,' smirked Siddharth. 'And you know I'm not lying.'
Abhayendra let out a mirthless laugh. 'Brilliant,' he said. 'Brilliant. My own brother will snatch away my love from me. Even though she chose me.'
Siddharth raised his fist to punch Abhayendra, but Piya anticipated his move : running forwards, she took the blow and swayed on her feet as stars swam before her eyes. She vaguely realized that Abhayendra was supporting her now. 'Siddharth-he's your brother-' she tried again, but she knew it was hopeless.
'Who, Piya?' said Siddharth mockingly. 'I don't have a brother.'
He turned around and walked away. He didn't look back as Piya called after him.
She turned to Abhayendra. He was standing stock still, staring in the direction where Siddharth had gone. 'I love her, Piyali,' he said at last. 'I will not allow anyone to separate us. Not even-my brother.'
He turned around to face her.
'I'll drop you till the doors,' he said quietly.
They did not speak till they had reached the doors of the palace.
'I'm sorry,' whispered Piya as they parted. 'I didn't want you to fight.
Siddharth loves you- he'll accept it someday. He's your brother,' she tried to convince herself as much as him.
Abhayendra smiled sadly. 'No, I don't think so, Piyali. You heard him- he doesn't have a brother.'
And then he too, walked back into the darkness.
Piya avoided Siddharth for the next months, instead focusing on learning to shoot moving objects and how to wield a sword , from Abhayendra and Maithali. Maithali knew of Abhayendra and Siddharth's fallout, but she never questioned Piya about it. Piya assumed she already knew all about it.
She missed Siddharth more than ever, though. He had been a brother to her, and it was excruciating to avoid him.
In the end, Siddharth sought her out in one of her solitary musings. 'I got you something,' he said quietly. She jumped on seeing him and a smile automatically came to her face, as she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly.
He held her for a while, allowing her to cry, before he held out another painting to her.
This one showed her with Abhayendra again, at the practice fields. He was laughing, and she was watching him. She had not known anyone had been watching them that time.
'Siddharth...' she began, but Siddharth shook his head. 'It's an apology, Piyali,' he said quietly. 'I am sorry.'
'It's not me you should be saying that too,' said Piya.
His face hardened.
'No. I won't.'
She opened her mouth to say something, but he cut her off. 'I see you chose your path- well, I've chosen mine. I want you to know, however, that should you need help, I will be there for you. You have but to ask.'
He got up to leave.
'Siddharth- can't you forget it all? You loved Abhayendra-'
'I did, but I don't now, do I, Piyali?' he said wryly.
'I will never forgive him, Piyali. Maithali rejected me yesterday. She believes I do not know the meaning of love. She believes his infatuation with her to be love. I will not forgive him.'
And Piya stared silently after him, letting the tears fall. She took the painting and carried it to her room, hiding it among her clothes.
She knew she had to resign herself to the fact that Siddharth would probably never be her best friend again.
But she didn't want to.
Piya was sitting alone in her room, wishing she could go back to her time. She'd spoken to Reina the night before, and she'd assured her the year was almost up and she could go soon.
She still didn't know what answers she was supposed to get. Oh well, at least she'd got Maithali as a friend.
The door banged open.
Maithali entered, looking extremely tense. She locked the door to keep out eavesdroppers.
'Princess, what is it?' said Piya, getting up at once.
Maithali looked as though she did not know what to say.
'You can tell me,' urged Piya softly.
'I'm worried about Abhayendra,' said Maithali in a rush. Piya stared at her. 'Piyali, you know Father has sent him on an errand... And now I am scared, Piyali. I don't know why I keep having these- these awful feelings that he is in danger. I can't tell anyone or the king might find out. I would send Siddharth after him, but they aren't on the best of terms- and oh, Piyali, what should I do?'
Piya wondered for a while. Suddenly she asked, 'Can you give me an idea where he went?'
'He went to the neighbouring kingdom, Piyali,' said Maithali. 'But why do you need to know?'
'I might be able to talk to Siddharth,' said Piya quietly. The beginnings of a plan were formulating in her mind.
At the crack of dawn, a lone figure ran down nimbly down the stairs of the palace and into the stables. Once there, she let the hood of her cloak fall as she mounted Krish, her horse. Her hair billowed behind her as she rode him out into the dim light..
Concealed in her dress was her sword, while her quiver was slung across the shoulder. The bow was packed in the saddle.
'Find them, Krish,' she said softly, guiding him across the hoof-prints that looked freshly made.
She rode continuously through the day, stopping only to take a brief drink from the stream. Krish seemed to know exactly where to go, and she barely guided him anyway. She felt sudden pangs of fear that her whole mission could be futile, but there was no other way...
Abhayendra leaned down to pet his mare . They were still far from Pandher, and dusk was falling.
Just then, the mare sqealed and reared on her hind legs, almost unseating him. With a pang of horror, he saw that an arrow had pierced her right flank.
An arrow whizzed past him, missing him by inches.
With a realization that filled him with horror, he realised he had strayed into the rival kingdom, Kausani.
He was in the land of the enemy.
And then he saw them : about a dozen or so armed men, riding towards. He wanted to turn, but his mare was not helping ; she seemed to have difficulty staying on her hooves. Another arrow pierced her hide, and the mare collapsed on the ground.
He swallowed as he pulled out his sword : how was he supposed to fight a dozen men at once?
The thugs surrounded him :he knew they thought he was a spy from Pandher. He tried to explain, but he knew it was hopeless.
A flash of steel, and Abhayendra reacted on instinct, swinging his sword to block the blade before it lopped off his head.
Another followed, a swift strike sweeping the ground, and he jumped swiftly to avoid it, swinging the sword to disarm one of the soldiers before beheading him. He knew they would get him sooner than later, but he wouldn't go down without taking a few of them. He was surrounded : his one regret that he had no time to see Maithali.
He blocked and dodged, slashed and twirled with all the expertise of a swordsman, but even so, one of them finally got past his guard, and he felt steel touch his throat, drawing blood...
The sword left him suddenly, and the man before him lurched backwards , an arrow through his neck.
He whipped around and saw her.
Piyali, riding on Krish, her face contorted in concentration as she aimed again and again, every time hitting her target : the chest, an eye, an arm, a neck...
But it wasn't Piyali, he realised.
It was Maithali, though why she had been wearing a veil was beyond him. One of the remaining men slashed at her with his sword, catching the cloth and ripping it.
'Maithali?' he whispered.
Her eyes widened as she looked him. They stared at each other : He'd always known she was a ferocious fighter, and now...she had saved his life.
As she turned to defend herself from the attackers behind, a man nooked an arrow, ready to shoot.
In seconds, Abhayendra was on him, disarming him with a swift blow and beheading him. The slick sound caught her attention as she whirled Krish around.
Their eyes locked and held each other as if for eternity.
Suddenly , she unsheathed her sword in a clear fluid motion, beheading a man who had been about to attack him.
She beckoned to him to mount the horse.
And then they rode away, into the forests and far away from prying eyes.
It was nighttime, so they stopped. Abhayendra saw Maithali gasp as she looked at his wounds. She unpacked her saddle, pulling out strips of cotton and other essentials, and proceeding to dress them in the moonlight. She had spoken nothing to him all the while, which bothered Abhayendra. But he could already see the world revolving... His vision grew hazy... And as he slipped into darkness his last thought that Maithali's eyes resembled Piyali's.
He came to, a few hours later. She was lying next to him on the ground, watching him. When she saw he was awake, she smiled.
She was so close...
Without thinking to consider, he pulled her close, leaning over her face. He saw her eyes widen, then eyelids flutter and close.
And then he kissed her.
Piyali felt her world twirl crazily and then suddenly everything was back to normal. Abhayendra was kissing her. Her, Piyali. Why?
Suddenly she realised. Maithali. He thought she was Maithali.
She lost her train of thought as his teeth worried her lips, teasing her to gain entrance. Their lips meshed into each other, releasing the pent up need. Her arms linked around his neck, pulling him closer as she opened her mouth, allowing him entry.She whimpered, leting her fingers run through her hair. His mouth left hers to nibble lightly at her earlobe, then at her throat. 'Abhayendra-' she whispered.His mouth latched on to her lips, his tongue mating with hers. His arms slid around her waist, then roamed upwards to caress her breasts.
She was vaguely aware of her mind telling her this was wrong. She was betraying both Maitali and Abhayendra. But she couldn't stop him. She couldn't break one moment of magic. It was just a kiss, she told herself. Tell him it's a dream later.
He pulled away from her, looking down at her face. 'Maithali?' he said softly. 'Don't you want this?'
Piya wanted him to stop, but what would she say?
'You're hurt,' she whispered. 'Later. Once we get back to the palace.'
He looked a tad disappointed as he rolled off her and moved a little away. He held her hand as he slept.
Piya suddenly hated herself. What had she done? She had kissed him. How could she have been so weak? She pulled her hand away from his and muffled her sobs as they racked her body.
Why her, why now?
You couldn't have said anything, said a small rational part of her mind. You can't tell him who you are.
You could have stopped that kiss, argued the other voice. You could have said no!
She hated herself so much.
As the first rays of dawn set in, she had formed her plan.
She'd made herself another veil. As he woke up and faced her, she thanked her stars her face was covered.
'Maithali?' he said, and then his expression changed to confusion. 'Piyali?'
She rose to her feet, helping him to stand. 'You kept thinking I was Maithali yesterday,' she said, sounding teasing. 'You must love very much- I heard you murmuring her name in your sleep.'
'You-you,' began Abhayendra, 'You saved me?'
'Unfortunately, yes,' she said, grimacing although he wouldn't see her.
'But- I saw her,' he said, confused. He couldn't remember...perhaps he had mistaken her face?
'You must have been thinking of her , so you thought I was Maithali,' said Piya. 'Happens when you are in love, I guess?'
'Yes, I must have imagined it,' he said, sounding slightly unconvinced.
They rode to the castle in relative silence. 'Maithali was worried for you- so I came,' said Piya. 'I don't like seeing her upset. Please don't tell her this, though, I don't want her to feel obligated or anything.'
Abhayendra smiled back at her. ' Many thanks, Piyali. You have no idea how proud I am of you. You have become such a good fighter.'
She inclined her head in acceptance of his praise. It was dusk, so she walked back to the castle, after leaving Krish in the stables.
Piya had thought everything would go back to normal, but three days later, Maithali burst into her room, sobbing. 'All is lost, Piyali,' she whispered. 'Father has sent Abhayendra to prison.'
PS. I am NOT comfy with this update and I am being serious and no BBB
Let me know if you thought it was rushed, or I didn't explain something properly.
I am no good at writing fight scenes or romance
And I deleted an AMetz ahem scene because Snigs didn't comment😡
Or this update would have been 17+ I guess 😛
Anyways, just thought I'd remind everyone,
Abhay and Sid will both remember Piyali, because the past changed when Piya went back, and so will the future, which is why Reina was worrying in one of the previous chapters.
Also, the FF takes off from the point after the leap when Piya goes to the library to hunt about the past, and she goes to the forest...
Just that she gets thrown backwards into time before Abhay reaches her like he did in the show?
Edited by bookworm-ALS-- - 11 years ago
Anupamaa
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
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