FF-Time and Again[Book 3]COMPLETE!Epilogue now up.PM list page 74* - Page 28

Luke watched Disha from afar as she smiled and laughed, clumsily eating cake. He would give anything to be there, with her friend, feeding her that cake. She had a strange personality, that was for sure. She could be as cold as ice and as warm as fire. And how he loved her laugh. She was looking more beautiful than ever, in a violet cocktail dress with transparent sleeves. Disha then turned to talk to a woman with long,brown hair, who threw her arms around Dishu, chattering something he couldn't catch. Yet, Dishu didn't seem nearly as free as she had moments before. The smile grew polite, distant, and he frowned, trying to understand what it was that was making her maintain a distance from so many people. Natalya nudged him. "Are you going to ask her to dance or not?" "What?" said Luke, turning to her. "But there's no music." Natalya rolled her eyes, then looked straight ahead. Gradually, her eyelids drooped and closed, and Luke would have wondered if she was sleeping if he hadn't known that she could mind-talk to people. But who was she speaking to? He got his answer when Disha's pretty friend walked up to them. "Yeah, gimme a sec, Natalya," she said. "I'll turn on the music in a minute. You go and ask her for a dance, Luke. " "Thanks a ton, Alina," said Natalya gratefully. Luke, who had been walking to Dishu, turned to look at her. "Alina? Alina Khurana? The Alina Khurana? Queen of the Manali clan of werewolves?" Alina smiled. "Yeah, that one. Good luck, mate."

"Hi." Disha turned away from Sayantani to see Luke standing in front of her,looking adorably nervous. "Hi- um, I was hoping...wouldyoudancewime?" Her eyebrows rose. "Sorry?" "Will you dance with me?" he repeated,fingers crossed that she said yes. She stared at him, clearly taken by surprise. "I'm leaving this town tomorrow," he blurted, "And I'm going to miss you a lot, and all I'm asking is one dance, I'm not going to bother you after that-"

Her lips, which had started to twitch, suddenly pursed. She's going to say no, he thought. Then she said, her voice low, "Thank you, Luke, but there's no music," she said.

As if on cue, a song started. Luke wordlessly held out a hand to her.

Against her better judgment, Disha found herself taking his hand. A hush fell over the hall. People turned to stare at them. Disha blushed, but Luke stared at her as though all he could see was her. Slowly, they began to waltz.

So long

I've been looking too hard,

I've waiting too long

Sometimes I don't know what I will find

I only know it's a matter of time

When you love someone

When you love someone

Disha couldn't take her eyes off Luke. He looked beyond happy. Was it possible that she could make someone so happy with just a dance?

It feels so right, so warm and true

I need to know if you feel it too

His arm was on her waist, the other steering her through the room, which automatically cleared as everyone else moved to the sides.

Maybe I'm wrong

Won't you tell me if I'm coming on too strong?

This heart of mine has been hurt before

This time I wanna be sure

I've been waiting for a girl like you

To come into my life

I've been waiting for a girl like you

A love that will survive

I've been waiting for someone new

To make me feel alive

Yeah, waiting for a girl like you

To come into my life

"You're really beautiful, Disha," said Luke quietly. "I mean it. You're simply gorgeous." Disha smiled slightly. "Thank you. It's very nice of you. You're not looking bad yourself." "She praised me," he exclaimed, turning his head heavenward. "Wow, today should be my birthday."

You're so good

When we make love it's understood

It's more than a touch or a word we say

Only in dreams could it be this way

When you love someone

Yeah, really love someone

"I'm sorry for last time," said Dishu uncomfortably, unable to dodge the issue any longer. "I didn't mean what I said. I'm not put off talking to you. I usually am, but you're too nice to dislike. Really." Luke grinned. "Does this mean you'll let me take you out someday?" Dishu sighed, looking down at her feet.

Now, I know it's right

From the moment I wake up till deep in the night

There's no where on earth that I'd rather be

Than holding you, tenderly

I've been waiting for a girl like you

To come into my life

I've been waiting for a girl like you

And a love that will survive

I've been waiting for someone new

To make me feel alive

Yeah, waiting for a girl like you

To come into my life

"I don't know, Luke," she said softly. "Maybe someday." "Wow," he replied. "This is way more than what I'd expected. You know, I'm thinking I won't push my luck further." Dishu looked at him and her lips twitched. "You shouldn't," she told him teasingly. "I might spoil your good day."

I've been waiting, waiting for you,

ooh Ooh, I've been waiting I've been waiting,

yeah I've been waiting for a girl like you

I've been waiting

Won't you come into my life?

My life?

The song finished, and Luke bowed to her and let go of her hand. "Thank you so much," he said to Disha. She nodded, glancing down at her dress. "Thank you, Luke. I-" She stared at him, as though she wanted to say something, but then she turned and swept away to talk to someone else.

"OK, everyone!" Alina clapped her hands. "Who's gonna dance next?" Her eyes settled on a couple in white, near the door. "Tanya and Rehan!" she called. "Come on, guys, I know you guys are fab dancers!"

Piya fiddled with her hands as she watched the couples dancing. Disha had looked cute with Luke, but that had only been a temporary distraction. "You know, I don't think silence suits you," muttered Abhay quietly. "You've been quiet all this time."

She looked up at him. "Abhay, you don't know..." He placed a finger on her lips. "No, I don't. And I'm waiting for you to tell me. You know that, right?" She nodded, still looking miserable. "I love you," he told her. "Don't ever doubt that. I can handle it. You trust me, right?" "Yes," she said. "But-"

She was interrupted by Alina. "Well, are you going to dance or not?" "Uh..." Piya demurred, but , surprisingly, Abhay nodded. "Definitely. Right, Piya?"

"Excellent," said Alina. "Just let me put on the track."

Abhay looked at Piya, his eyes boring into her soul, daring her to say no. Piya nodded. Fine, she thought. Let's make the most of my last moments with him. And so, she held his gaze, not looking away at all as he pulled her to him. The music started, yet for a few seconds, she heard nothing as she stared at him, wanting to drown in the moment.

Dharti hilade,

laade lashkare

Rabnu hilade

, nach ke dhikade tu soniya

Dharti hilade,

laade lashkare

Rabnu hilade

sab ko dhikade tu soniya

They moved as one, his hand firmly on her waist. Abhay smiled slightly at her as he mouthed the words of the song.

Main tera dhadkhan teri

Yeh din tere raathe teri

Ab bachaa kya, ab bachaa kya

Har ghadi khud se hi main kartha rahun baatein teri

Ab bachaa kya, ab bachaa kya

She smiled slightly back at him. Something like madness was filling her inside , as she locked her arms around his neck. He twirled her around, pulling her back to him.

Ishq ka rog hai ye

Aaisa jog hai ye

Isse bachne ka

Ab aasaan nazar nahin aata

Kuch yaar nazar nahi aata

Ghar-baar nazar nahi aata

Sansar nazar nahi aata

Jab pyaar hota hai

Kuch yaar nazar nahi aata

Ghar-baar nazar nahi aata

Sansar nazar nahi aata

Jab pyaar hota hai

His hand went to the small of her back , twisting her in a complicated move she didn't know much about, and didn't really have to do much because he was steering her. And all the time he gazed at her, his sapphire eyes hypnotizing her. She wasn't dancing, she thought. Not really.

Teri chahaton se din shuru

Mere rubabroo ho tu hi tu

Teri sooch ho tera saath ho ab har ghadi

(ab har ghadi)

Tere baath mein teri yaad mein

Khoya main rahu aur ye kahun

Mere samne teri baath ho ab har ghadi

"It's true , you know," he murmured in her ear. "You occupy at least 90% of my thoughts. And sometimes, how I wish you could hear them... I wonder what you'd think?" His voice sent shivers through her, and she was glad he was holding her, or she would definitely have fallen.

Kabhi kabhi yaari mein,

Yaar khumari mein,

Chahe kuch bhi ho,

Dil ke paar nazar nahi aata..

Kuch yaar nazar nahi aata

Ghar-baar nazar nahi aata

Sansar nazar nahi aata

Jab pyaar hota hai

Kuch yaar nazar nahi aata

Ghar-baar nazar nahi aata

Sansar nazar nahi aata

Jab pyaar hota hai

Alina watched the pair dancing, a wry smile on her lips. If Piya didn't tell Abhay tonight, then Abhay was definitely going to pry it out of her. Watching them, she wanted to dance. But she didn't have a partner. The one she wanted...no. she definitely did not want to dance with him! Focus, dammit, she told herself.

Meri aashiqui ka hai sila

Meri chahaton ko tu mila

Teri mehfile meri manzile

Ab ho gayi

Tere khwab hai

Behisaab hai

Teri jeet hai meri geet hai

Parishaniya aur mushkile sab kho gayi

Ishq toh jadoo hai

Bas bekaboo hai

Ishq ke jadoo main

Kuch dushwar nazar nahi aata

His fingers skimmed her arms, over the platinum bracelet, to her bare shoulder, even as he dipped her, then lifted her again. Piya trembled, caught up in the moment, her breath coming in gasps.

Kuch yaar nazar nahi aata

Ghar-baar nazar nahi aata

Sansar nazar nahi aata

Jab pyaar hota hai

Kuch yaar nazar nahi aata

Ghar-baar nazar nahi aata

Sansar nazar nahi aata

Jab pyaar hota hai

"Trust me," he whispered, brushing his lips across her fingers, watching the brown eyes darken. "I trust you more than myself," she whispered back,as he lifted her easily off the ground, setting her down and spinning her.

Main tera dhadkhan teri

Yeh din tere raathe teri

Ab bachaa kya, ab bachaa kya

Har ghadi khud se hi main kartha rahun baatein teri

Ab bachaa kya, ab bachaa kya

Ishq ka rog hai ye

Aaisa jog hai ye

Isse bachne ka

Ab aasaan nazar nahin aata

Kuch yaar nazar nahi aata

Ghar-baar nazar nahi aata

Sansar nazar nahi aata

Jab pyaar hota hai

Kuch yaar nazar nahi aata

Ghar-baar nazar nahi aata

Sansar nazar nahi aata

Jab pyaar hota hai

When the song finished, he dipped her, his hands dangerously low. As she righted herself, she blushed. She had completely forgotten about everyone else. "I love you," Abhay said quietly. "Don't delude yourself that anything could change that."

Now that the song was over, she felt the nervousness take over her. "I have to use the washroom," she blurted out. "Excuse me." Then she fled.

Abhay didn't noticed Alina follow Piya inside.

Fifteen minutes later, Piya was dressed in one of Piyali's dresses, her earlier dress packed in a bag. Alina assured her she'd get it back, completely unspoiled. "Alina, do you think he'll believe me?" she said. "What if-"

"Yes, he will," said Alina. "Show him this." She took out the silver knife. "What- where did you get it?" Piya asked her. "I used it to kill- but then, I never went back to get it-"

Alina shrugged. "While everyone else was occupied with you, I nicked it and put it in my pocket. Here you go."

Piya took the knife. "Alina, do you think he'll believe me?"

"Yes, Piya," said Alina. "Don't be nervous. Come on, let me do your veil."

"There you go," said Alina, typing the veil in place over Piya's scared face. Both of them looked into the mirror. Piya was wearing a turquoise, long sleeved gown and a veil of similar colouring. The dress flattered her, but her eyes, far from looking confident, were pensive and scared as they stared into the mirror of the washroom. "Do you think he'll believe me?" said Piya, asking the same question for the third time. "Piya, asking the same question again and again won't change the answer," said Alina patiently. "Yes, he will believe you." She nodded, far from being convinced. "Okay," said Alina. "You're going to go out, then I'll send him out after you. When he sees you, all you have to do is take off the veil and tell him everything. You understand, right?" Piya nodded. "Yes," she muttered. "Yes, I remember. But- won't he see me if I go out-" "If you go through the front door , he will," said Alina. "But you'll be going through a different one." She opened the door of the bathroom. Piya gasped. "But- there was a hallway just here!" The door looked into the garden. She turned to Alina. "What-" Alina smirked. "Some benefits of being a witch," she said, winking. "Go on, now." Piya nodded. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out into the open air.

Abhay closed his eyes. Piya had been gone for too long. He knew something was going to happen, he just knew it. Piya had been nervous as hell all evening. And now it was bothering him more than ever. Someone tapped his shoulder and he whipped around. "Alina, what the heck?" he snapped. "Where is Piya? I know you know where she is!" "Home," said Alina, not missing a beat. "But before you go haring after her, there is someone you need to meet." "I don't have time for this," Abhay snapped, pulling away and moving to the door. "I've had enough of your stupid party and don't you dare try to stop me-" "You need to talk to her first," Alina said, surprisingly forceful. "Abhay, you have to talk to her- you have to meet her-" She gripped his elbow, almost dragging him to the door. Abhay opened his mouth to growl at her, but his eyes fell on a figure in dark blue, and his breath caught. Alina let go of his arm, but he hardly noticed. He stared at the woman in shock. The moon was up, and light fell on her clearly. "Piyali," he breathed. "No..freaking...way."

Piya seemed to be looking for something - or someone. He was about to go up to her when he caught sight of Siddharth, who looked almost as shocked as he did. He stood rooted to the spot as Sid came up to her. "Piyali?" he said in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Piya was frozen. This was not part of the plan. "I-I- what are you doing here?" she questioned back. The best form of defence was offense, after all. "I came here to meet someone," he replied. "And you?"

"Why?" she asked, dodging his question. He smiled, as though he sensed her subterfuge. "Because I like talking to her. Now answer the question.

Piya swallowed. "I- I came to meet someone." Sid's gaze narrowed shrewdly. "Abhay?" Her hands clenched over the folds of her dress."Yes." Sid raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. After all these years...why now?" She shook her head. "It's important. Fort God's sake, Sid, just stop obsessing over him. You want Maithali so badly, don't you? Well, you've got her. Why are you here?" Sid smiled, his hands in his pockets. "I'm not obsessing over him. And don't you know that I don't love Maithali? Because I thought you knew me better-" "You're not in love with her?" she said, shocked. "Why-what-"

Sid smirked. "Don't believe me, do you, sweetheart? You know, you're a lot like my dear brother. Both of you love judging people." She glared at him. "Shut up, Siddharth. Leave now." "Tell me what you're here for, and I will leave." He crossed his arms. "I'm waiting." "Oh, god's sake!" Piya exclaimed. "There's something I need to tell Abhay, all right? There are things neither of you know about me, and I -" "naturally, trust Abhay more than you," Sid finished for her. "You'll never trust me, will you? One action- one action cancels out everything we shared, doesn't it? You know what? I don't think you ever really cared about me. It was always Abhayendra this, Abhayendra that- was that why you were even friends with me?" Piya looked at him in shock, seeing the hurt and jealousy on his face. "No- Siddharth-" She reached out to take his arm as he turned away, tears glistening in her own eyes. "This- you don't know who I am , Siddharth- if you did-" Siddharth stared at her for a long moment. "Who are you?" he said very quietly, his face inscrutable. "You're not Piyali, are you? You're an imposter." "I am," said Piya, blinking back tears. "I am Piyali- but" She broke off as she heard a movement to her left. Her horrified gaze fell on Abhay. Instinctively she backed away. "Abhay- I -" "You're not Piyali." His voice was harsh, disbelieving. "Piyali is dead. Who are you?" Piya swallowed.

"I-" she began to say. And then, with almost eerie timing, a wind blew. And the veil Alina had so carefully tied fell off, revealing Piyali- Piya's face to Siddharth and Abhayendra.

For a full minute all three of them stood frozen to the spot, unable to speak, process what had just happened. "Piya." Siddharth was the first to find his voice. "Wow. The devil help us...you deserve an Oscar. Splendid performance." Piya opened her mouth, then closed it. He laughed,a cruel, mocking laugh. "Wow, I seriously underestimated you. How did you manage to fool me so well?" She shook her head, trying to speak, but no words came out. Sid raised his eyes to the heavens. "I accept defeat. Wow. What a human you are. And, good heavens- what a wonderful hypocrite!" His smile had entirely vanished, and he stared at her with hatred. " Talking of friends, relations...do you even have an ounce of feeling, you bitch? You're too unfeeling to be human. Piyali was my best friend. Hell, I was her best friend. And you- why?" He glared at her. " You were coming to talk to Abhay.Did you even love Abhay? Hell, did you even have any idea of the kind of person Piyali was?" He laughed, mirthlessly.

Perhaps it was the taunt. Perhaps it was mention of Abhay. Or possibly, it was the first time that Piya had seen real betrayal in his eyes. Either way, her vocal cords suddenly started working. "Yes, Siddharth," she said, her voice miraculously steady. "I do have an idea of what kind of a person Piyali was, because she was me. She is me. She had always been me. And you can call me a liar or a hypocrite if you like. But you must know, somewhere, that Piyali was me all along. Did youever know my real name, Siddharth? Piyali. Piyali Jaiswal. Somewhere through the last two years, I became Piya Dobriyal. That doesn't mean Piyali died. I can tell you every detail, every moment. Remember the first time we met, after you were turned a vampire? Remember how I begged you not to kill me? Remember how you let me go?" Tears were falling down her cheeks, but she was far from caring. "Yes, Sid. You were my best friend. Yes, I'm the same person who begged you not to go down the road you did-" She stopped. "And yes, I love Abhay. I loved him then, and I love him now. Who the hell are you to even talk about love? Do you even know what real love means?"

Sid threw her a disgusted look. "At least I know what friendship means. I can't say the same for you. Piyali is dead." He turned and stalking off without a glance backwards.

Piya wiped her face and turned to look at Abhay. "Piya." He reached out and gripped her shoulders. "You're lying, aren't you? You- you found about Piyali, right. You're not - you can't be-" "I am!" Her voice echoed around the still garden. She fished in the folds of her dress and pulled out a silver dagger he had given her. "You gave me this," she told him shakily. "I killed Dipannita with this. Do you remember?" He stared at it, dumbfounded. "I know you think I betrayed you," she said, her voice still holding that steady, high note. She was proud of herself. "But I didn't. I was only trying to tell you that Sid had turned Maithali" Abhay's head shot up, staring at her,but she turned away. "I never betrayed you," she said sadly, "and I tried to help, but... I know it was my fault. It was I who told Siddharth everything...but I never thought he'd go and tell the king-" She paused as emotions threatened to overwhelm her. "And I wanted...I wanted to tell you, but-" she broke off on a sob. "I'm sorry. I'll - I'll leave now." She swept past him and almost ran to the gate, covering her mouth so that she didn't break down. it was done. He would hate her now. He hadn't even tried to call her back, to stop, to ask her to explain. She gulped in deep lungfuls of the air. He'd been so shocked...he'd almost begged her to tell him she wasn't Piyali.

Abhay couldn't believe it. So many actions...so many things...they had all seemed strange, disconnected. Her insistence that day, that he didn't love her, that he loved Maithali... Piya was Piyali.

How, he didn't know. But he knew she wasn't lying...

An awful coldness settled in his chest, expanding by the second. His own words, cruelly delivered, without listening to her. God help him, he had attacked Piya...he had been the one to hurt her.

"Go after her, mate," said a voice near him. Luke. He turned to him. "Luke, I... I don't understand...how could she..." Luke threw up his hands. "I really don't know anything, Abhay, I think it's her you need to talk to. I think you ought to go after her. I mean...she looked like she needed you."

Abhay turned . Shoot, she'd run again. He would have to find her- and then he would find out everything.

Piya walked on, with no sense of where she was going. The anguish she felt was now punctuated by flashes of anger and disappointment. Couldn't he have given her a chance? Couldn't he have called after her, told her to wait?

And then she stopped short, blinking at the sudden bright lights in front of her eyes. A car had come to a stop in front of her. And then the door opened and Abhay came out. Piya's eyes widened in shock. "Piyali?" His voice was neutral. She couldn't detect any gentleness in his voice, but then again, there was no harshness either. "Ab-Abhay." She choked out, unable to speak any more.

"I need a full explanation," he continued. "I think you're finally ready to give it to me, right?"

Abhay was proud of himself. His own voice was steady and he was holding up to the temptation of pulling her in his arms, surprisingly well. Piya stared at him, her eyes wide with something he recognized as hope. "You- you want to listen?"

The pain inside his chest intensified. "Yes," he replied.

"Will you come with me?" She stared at him, still with that deer-in-headlights look on her face. At last she nodded. "Yes." He focused on the bonnet of the car, trying to deal with the impulse to hold her and tell her everything was fine, he didn't care. But he did care. Everything wasn't fine- yet. And until it was, he would have to rein his emotions in. He would make sure she told him everything. He would have to.

Piya cast her eyes down as she walked over to the side of the car, getting in. Abhay wasn't looking at her...he was just being fair, she realized. Just giving her a chance. She forced down the flicker of hope in her chest. She mustn't get her hopes up, not just yet...

Sid howled in anger, uprooting a large tree clean off the ground, throwing it several feet away. He kicked at a rock in the ground, sending it falling. There was a shudder in the mountain, as rubble began to fall on the road below. He dislodged another boulder, watching in savage pleasure as it hurtled down, feeling a triumph that the entire mountain would be destroyed soon. Perhaps the entire city. He was about to dislodge another, but then a hand gripped his elbow and swung him around. He snarled at the intruder, but then stopped. Alina stood before him. Her hair was open, her eyes glowing golden, and her own teeth bared at him. "Stop. It." She said grimly. "Do you understand me , Siddharth?" She gave him a shake. "Stop it!" "Back off, Alina!" he yelled back. "Just leave!"

"It hurts to be betrayed, doesn't it?" Alina bit out. "That feeling, where thousands of knives are digging everywhere inside you and your chest feels like it's been squeezed from inside?" Sid straightened up, staring at her as though he had never seen her before. She had an odd smile on her face. "And you haven't even been betrayed. You know, I'm actually wondering what you'd do if someone actually-"

"Shut up," he spat. "You don't know anything. Don't you dare pass a judgement on me-" She laughed. "I don't know? I don't know? Why do you think Piyali even agreed to meet you? I made her believe that you would never hurt her. She was terrified that she would be used as bait- by you. But she tried her best to resurrect a dead friendship. Who do you think told Piya to tell Abhay who she was?"

Sid stared at her for a long time. "You?" She gave a slow nod. "Me." Sid almost laughed." Wow. Tonight's full of surprises." He shook his head in disbelief. "I've really been blind. I'd never expected...how long have you been manipulating all of us?" She smiled, but it held a tingle of sadness. "I don't manipulate, Sid. I'm not you." "Really? What do you think this is , a game of Ludo?"he said sarcastically. "No," said Alina. "A game of chess." He nodded. "Yeah, that's true. Only, you use people as the chess pieces, am I right?"

Alina glared at him. He smirked, suddenly. "You know, you're so awfully cocksure it makes me want to play against you just for the pure pleasure of defeating you. And to see how far you'd go before you quit..." She shook her head. "I suspect you'll be waiting for a long time. I'm not a quitter, you see." "Well, you know what?" said Sid. "It's really interesting talking to you, but right now, I'm really not in the mood for talking to you tonight. So..." He turned to leave.

"She travelled back in time," said Alina, her voice rushed, the words tumbling out almost without her volition.

He stopped in his tracks. "What?" "She travelled back in time," Alina repeated. "Piya, I mean. To your time. She didn't have any memories then."

He turned to her, the cogs in his brain working. "Of course," he whispered. "Of course...so simple...why didn't I think of it? That's why she covered her face. Right?" Alina nodded."Yes." "And that's why..." He was silent for a full minute, lost in his thoughts. "Why are you telling me this?" he said suddenly. "I don't need to know. Piyali is dead as far as I am concerned." "I need an answer from you," she said, her voice steely. He snorted. "No thanks. I don't have any obligations to answer your questions-" "Why do you think my brother helped you?" she asked, cutting him off. "What?" "My brother, Gaurav," said Alina, breathing quickly. "Did he ask any sort of repayment from you?"

Sid frowned. "No..." "Why do you think that is?" she asked him, her voice deceptively calm. "Werewolves are a different species. While we have nothing against vampires, why do you think that werewolf- my brother- helped you- a vampire- without asking for a return?" "Look," said Sid, irritated, "I don't know. We crossed paths once when he stopped werewolves from making an unfair attack on me. He asked me if I needed help for anything, I told him. We didn't ask each other questions, so I didn't know he had a family, and especially not about you-" "He considered himself in your debt," said Alina quietly. "He believed that he owed you. He loved me very much, my brother. Too much."

Sid stared at her. She was looking directly at him, eyes as sharp as flints. "You told me you had met my mother," she said quietly. "Do you remember what you did?"

Sid's brows furrowed. "I told you. There was a young girl. It looked like she was being punished for something. It was beastly; she couldn't have been more than fifteen. So I -" "So, you stepped in," Alina interrupted in a monotone. "You stepped in, told them to back off, and killed the werewolf she was being offered to. You saved her honour." "Yeah, so?" said Sid defensively. "She was just a child, all right. And what they were doing was- no one deserves that. So what? What does it have to do with-"

He stopped. Something was falling into place, as he stared at Alina. "He believed that he owed you. He loved me very much, my brother." Alina's outburst in the car...her repeated declarations that that Gupta woman was her family... "You." He heard the disbelieving tone in his own voice. "You?" he asked, stepping forward. "It was you? That child? That was- that was-" "Yes." Her voice was tight, controlled, yet he saw the tears in her eyes. "Why did you do it, Sid? Why did you save me? What did you want?" She was in front of him, her hands gripping his shirt, shaking him. "Tell me!" she demanded, tears falling down her face, as he stared at her, numb, thinking of how the young girl had stared at him that time, as though he was her savior...and now, she was a grown woman. She was Alina. "Tell me," she repeated. "You're a monster, right? You don't care for anyone besides yourself. So why did you do it then? why did you save my life?: He still stared at her without speaking. "Why, Sid? Why did you make me hope? Why?" She let go of him, her hands now pressed to her mouth as she choked back tears.

Sid found himself moving to her, taking her arm hesitantly. "Alina, please, baby- please stop crying. I'm sorry. Please don't cry..." He pulled her to his arms, holding her shaking body. She fought him with her fists, but he wouldn't let her go. "Release me," she bit out. "I didn't sign up for your pity. Stop it." "Listen to me," he said, tilting her chin, forcing her to look at him. "I don't know why I did it," he told her honestly. "I swear I don't know. This was one of those things I hadn't thought about doing... I swear it, Alina, I didn't do it because I wanted something from you... I-" His thumb wiped away the tears from her cheek. "You're a fighter, Alina.More than that, you're a winner. God, I'm so sorry, babe-" Alina said nothing. Sid's eyes were softer than she had ever seen them, probing into hers as he bent his head till his mouth was level with hers. She didn't fight him. "Are you going to zap me with your magic if I kiss you now?" he said quietly. She stared up at him, uncomprehending. "Wh...what?" He smiled slightly. "Oh, what the hell... I might as well run the risk." His lips were gentle on hers when he kissed her, and Alina trembled at the many sensations running through her veins. The kiss was soft and slow, and she clung to him, trying to stop a bizarre urge to cry again. All too soon, it was over, and Sid was looking down at her, his expression unreadable. "I'm sorry, Alina," he said quietly. "And...thank you." And then, he turned and walked away, leaving Alina to stare after him. Then, after a minute, she too went back to her house, not sure what she was feeling right then.

Misha answered her phone. "Hello?" she said, uncertain as to who the caller was. "Misha, hi," came Piya's voice. "Sorry, my phone's low on network." "That's okay, Piya, but-" "Yeah, so I-uh- just wanted to say,that- there's been landslide. I can't come home tonight. Abhay's taking me home, is that okay? I'll -" Misha snickered. "Ok, ok. I'll Mom and Dad. Man, what a convenient landslide." "Misha, it's not-" But Misha interrupted. "Oh, don't bother. Have fun, kiddos!" She cut the call and went to tell her parents. Reina smiled ever so slightly.

Piya swallowed as the car braked to a stop in front of the Raichands' house. She hadn't dared to say anything all through the ride, and neither had Abhay said anything. Think positive, she told herself, as she got out of the car and followed him inside. The living room was empty, however. She wondered where his parents had gone. "Hunting, probably," he answered her unspoken question. "So you don't have to worry about being overboard." She followed him to his room. "All right," said Abhay, closing the door. "I think you should sit down." Piya nodded. Be brave, said a voice in her head that sounded suspiciously like Alina. She didn't know if she'd imagined it or not. Abhay dragged a chair in front of her, so that he was sitting facing her.

"Begin," he said quietly, his gaze on his own interlocked hands. Piya took a deep breath, and started. "It happened the evening I saw a newspaper article on the fire in the forest. There was - a mention of Maithali." Abhay did not move, and she found it was much easier to stare down at her skirts. "I went there to find out some answers." Abhay remembered the vision he had seen of her. "There was- a strange kind of fire," she continued. "And then I was taken back in time. There was a witch- Reina. She said she'd give me all the answers I needed." Abhay's head shot up, but Piya didn't see it. "She gave me clothes and things. And - a veil, because I resembled the Princess, and unnecessary questions might have arisen... when I met you, I had no idea... I thought you were a different person. just a doppelganger."

Abhay closed his eyes. Oh, he remembered the night they had first met. Her scared, puzzled air, now falling into place. "Well, you know more or less what happened after that," said Piya. "I ended up becoming best friends with Siddharth, Maithali, you... And I fell for you again." She let out a short laugh. "I know it was idiotic. You'd think I was cursed or something. I know I was a fool...but I couldn't help it, even though I knew we were an age apart." Abhay's hands were gripping the sides of the chair, his eyes on her, willing her to lift her gaze. But she didn't.

"I- I told Sid to tell Maithali that he loved her. I knew he did...but I was the one who goaded him to- I didn't know. I never thought- never knew that you could have loved her too..." "But I told you," Abhay cut in. "I told you I was in love with-" "You didn't tell me it was her," she said. "I stupidly assumed that it was me." She pulled at a stray bit of thread from her gown. "My god, Piyali," she heard him mutter. "You were crying that day. I asked you! You didn't say anything-"

"What could I say?" she asked helplessly. "Maithali was my friend. I tried to tell Sid to be happy for you... believe me, I tried. But it wasn't good enough, I guess... or he would never have fought you that night... I had to choose. I never thought I'd have to choose between you two..." "You chose to leave him," he said quietly. "And Sid...he told the kind..." "Yes," she said quietly, grateful that he had skipped- or perhaps he had forgotten that scene. "And that's when...after both of you went into that fire... That's when I got back all my memories. Then I wished I hadn't." "And I attacked you," he whispered to himself, head in his hands. "I hurt you... I thought..." "It's not your fault," she said, shaking her head.

"You were upset, and- and then, I left, and I was running, and I fell on the road- when I woke up, I was in Haseena aunty's car. That's when I realized I'd come back to my own time..." She raised her head to see Abhay staring at her. "How? How did you do it, Piyali?" He knelt in front of her, looking down at the floor. "You still look at me like- like that. How- how can you do that? How can you bear to look at me?" Piya stared at him. "You- you believe me?" She slid off the bed onto the floor. "Abhay- you don't hate me?" He stared at her. "No, Piya," he said softly. " I don't hate you. I hate myself." His eyes moved over face, almost in wonder. Then he reached out and touched her cheek. "How can you be real?" he whispered. "You're a dream. If this was real, you'd...you'd shout at me. You'd hate me for hurting you like this- toying with your feelings-but-" He broke off. "Say something," he demanded. "Say something. Tell me what a beast I am. Tell me, please." Her heart broke for him. He'd taken all the blame. He believed her. Piya's heart soared. He believed her, he still loved her... "What?" he said. "Don't look at me like that. Hate me. I- I don't deserve-"

She launched herself at him, throwing her arms around his neck. "Don't say things like that," she pleaded, tears pooling in her eyes. "You're not a beast. You're my angel. Abhay, you believed me- I thought-" she pulled away slightly to stare at him. "Why are you all stiff?"

"Why are you so..." he fumbled for an appropriate word, "..good?" She smiled. "No, that's you. You're a good person. you know that right?" But he was shaking his head. "No," he whispered. "I'm an unfeeling, idiotic jerk. A cad of the highest order, even when I was human-" "Will you stop it?" she interrupted. "Please, Abhay. You're not. " "I should have stayed behind that night," he said. "With you. I should never have-" "You didn't love me then, Abhay," she said quietly. "Everything was different, Abhay. You, too. Not completely, but in some ways...you would've always regretted it, not going after her...you loved her. I know you did-" "Yes, God knows you did," he replied, his tone bitter. "And I was so caught up in my own life that I didn't notice... didn't even consider the possibility..." His voice was harsh, laced with regret. "It wasn't your fault, Abhay," she insisted. "Why are you beating yourself up over something that wasn't in your control?" Abhay shook his head. Untangling her hands from his neck, he turned away, his head hung. "You don't understand, Piya. It was my fault that I pay closer attention. It was my fault that I didn't trust you- it was my fault." He leaned against the bed, his knees drawn up against his chest, his eyes closed. He looked so much like his older self, she thought. "Abhay-" Piya began, but he stopped her. "It was my fault I trusted Siddharth over you...it was my fault I accepted what he said, condemned you without even hearing what you had to say. I guess I always believed I was second best to you...I always felt that you held back things...from me, that he knew." Piya didn't answer. Yes, Siddharth had been her best friend...and of course she had hidden things from Abhayendra...but what had Sid said? "And I don't know why," Abhay continued,"But when Siddharth told me you were on his side, you had double-crossed me...I thought I'd never be good enough for you... I thought you'd always choose him...and it hurt. It hurt me so bad because... I trusted you. But that's not a justification, Piya, I'm not justifying what I did...you didn't deserve to be treated like that. I know I was never your best friend...but you were mine."

Piya was stunned. "Siddharth..he told you that I - what?" she whispered. "Oh, god. That's why- that's why you thought I was on their side! God, Abhay, I'm so sorry-" He turned to her. "Stop it, PiIya. You get treated like dirt, you get to deal with some crazy shit on your own, and I didn't even realize- you're apologizing because I'm clueless?"

She reached out to take his hand. "It doesn't matter. Now that you know everything, it doesn't matter. We can go back to normal, so please, Abhay, please..." "I don't deserve you," he muttered. "You should look for someone who won't hurt you like this. You don't deserve someone as messed up as me-" "But I want you!" she insisted. "I- you've been with me when I didn't have anyone, you taught me to love, you taught me to fight, you taught me to keep a hold on myself when everything was going down... I need you in my life, Abhay. I need you with me. I need you to argue with me, fight with me, hold me when I'm weak...and maybe, Abhay, I can be your best friend again. We need each other."

He reached for her then, drawing her to his chest, dropping kisses on his head. "I need you too, Piya...you make me want to live... gosh, Piyali, I missed you so much. Thank you for coming to me, Piyali, thank you for trusting me with this... I sure as hell don't deserve you, but I'm so freaking selfish I can't let go of you, ever-" "Like I'll let you," she retorted, mildly teasing.

For a long time they stayed , locked in each other's arms, not uttering a single word. Finally, Piya raised her head. Abhay?" "Yeah?" he replied, looking down at her. "Will you kiss me?" He stared at her in surprise for a moment, then smiled slightly. "Why?" Piya pouted. "Oh, now I have to give a reason for wanting to be kissed by my boyfriend?"

He pushed away a strand of hair from her face. "You're adorable when you're bossy." She huffed. "Are you going to kiss me or not?" she said crossly. He smiled. Then he leaned in closer and their lips met. Piya's heart stuttered with pleasure as she shifted even closer, and she felt his fingers in her hair. He let go of her so she could breathe, but she pulled him back to her,not wanting to lose that magical bubble inside her. "Stay the night," he murmured between kisses. "It's late..." "Yes," she agreed, not that she could refuse anything right then. He was hers, all hers, and she felt a fierce stab of pride as she thought about it.

Abhay tore himself away at last, looking down at her. Piya was breathing heavily, her arms still around his neck. "You need to change," he said, looking down at her. "You won't be able to sleep in that." She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. He got to his feet. "Hand on a minute. I'll-" "Yes?" Abhay answered. His mother's voice came through the door. "Madhu called. I told her Piya is here, is that fine?" "Oh, yeah," Abhay answered. "That's perfectly ok. Mom, can you get some clothes for PIya? I don't think her gown's comfortable enough to sleep in." "Of course," said Haseena. "I'm sending up something for her... Goodnight, Piya," she called. "How does she know I'm here?" said Piya in surprise. Abhay turned to her, "Oh, Mom's always had a good nose. She must have smelt you."

Ten minutes later, clad in a silky black nightgown(Haseena had apologized for not having anything more suitable), Piya snuggled up to Abhay in his bed. "Good night, Abhay," she murmured sleepily. "Good night, Piyali," he replied, his arms around her. "Go to sleep."

PS. My hands have died and become vampires So I'd really like some feedback. I don't think I've done justice to one of the most important things in this story...