Abhigya OS || The Dude & The Ordinary Girl || Kumkum Bhagya | Abhi | Pragya

I couldn't help sighing as I helped myself on to the chair keeping one hand on the armrest and the other on my protruding tummy. I was a little tired already even though I had rested the whole day but I couldn't let him realize that I was tired, then just as quickly as I had come in, I would be ushered out. After getting comfortable I looked around to see my old classmates. I was seeing them after 10 years and everyone was looking different. Some of them wave at me and I wave back at them happily. Some are even surprised to see my current state and I smile happily. I felt the baby kick. 7... no was it 8? Why can't I seem to keep the count? The baby's movements were very few and it worried us a little. But the doctor has said that as long I feel the baby move at least 10 times a day, it was fine. After waiting for 2 long years we were blessed with this baby.

Why is it taking him so long to park the car? I wondered as I turned around to look for him. The moment I turned to look at the entrance he walked in and unknowingly my face lit up with a smile. His eyes started scanning the crowd and I waved at him, he spots me and nods at me as he walked towards me.

"Abhi!" I heard someone call him.

It was Purab, he stops to talk to Purab and Bulbul. He gestures them to walk and they started walking towards me.

When they reached me he was stopped by a voice. "Hey Abhi!" Tanu comes towards him smiling happily.

"Hey Tanu! Long time." Abhi says smiling at her.

"Long long time! You never bothered to keep in touch." Tanu tells him shaking her head.

We had kept in touch with only Purab and Akash after leaving college. Purab and Akash were Abhi's best friends since college. They were surprised when Abhi had invited them for our wedding four years ago. I still feel that Akash find it hard to believe that we are married. I chuckle; even I find it hard to believe it at times. Especially after coming here in the midst of our old classmates realizing how poles apart he and I were in college.

"So how is life?" I heard Abhi ask her.

"Life is great. What about you?"

"Never better. Your husband is here?" Abhi asks her smiling at her.

"Not married yet. Still waiting for you." Tanu says whether she was joking or not, I had no idea but Abhi was taking it as a joke as he laughed out loud.

"What about you? Did you find your Mrs. Right?"

"Yup." Abhi says happily.

"Wow! Is she here? I would love to meet the girl who made you say bye-bye to your Casanova life." Tanu says making him and me grin.

He was never a Casanova, he just gave the image of one.

"You know her." Abhi says as he looked at me and I smile at him then turn to look at Tanu. She was looking at me with a frown and I realize that she didn't recognize me and I was not surprised, I was never popular in college. I didn't even interact with much people, always busy with my books and studies.

"Pragya." I tell her and the moment I said my name realization dawns on her.

"Pragya?" Tanu asks shocked. "You married her?"

"Yes." Abhi says grinning.

"I am surprised you are here, Pragya."  Purab says smiling.

"Even me." I reply grinning cheekily at my husband.

"He gets into your nerves... huh?" Purab asks me chuckling.

"I am not going to answer that." I reply making him laugh out loud while Abhi rolls his eyes at me.

"First time I am hearing her say such a long line." Bulbul says amazed making me smile at her.

After seeing Purab with Abhi for the last four years, I was comfortable with Purab but with others I go silent, happy to remain an observer.

"I think it is about to start. Let's sit." Abhi says and sits on the seat next to mine while everyone else took their seats.

I felt another kick. "You alright, love?" Abhi asks me concerned.

"Yeah. Baby kicked twice. So what is the count now?"

"9. One more." Abhi tells me a little worried.

"There is still time." I tell him smiling.

"Yeah." He sighs. "She is like you, the silent observer. But I just wished she wouldn't wait the whole day to kick 10 times."

"Or he could be like you trying to keep everyone on their toes." I reply.

"Yeah she could be like that too." Abhi replies stressing on she, it was one of the few things we fought on, something which was not even in our control I thought chuckling.

He turns to smile at me making me wonder yet again if he could hear my thoughts.

"I didn't think so many would turn out." Abhi says amazed.

"I knew. Now aren't you happy that we came?"

"I would have been happier if we had stayed at home and you would have rested."

"I rested the whole day and yesterday too so I could come here today." I tell him frowning.

He sighs dramatically, "We'll leave the instance you feel tired."

I nod in reply and I turn to watch the stage as one by one few of our classmates talked about their life and how things had changed.

"Now I would like to call upon stage, the most popular guy, the college heartthrob our very own Abhishek Mehra aka Abhi." Adhesh announces and everyone starts clapping making me remember how very popular Abhi was in college.

"Purab, sit with her." Abhi tells him as he got up and Purab quickly moves to the seat Abhi just vacated. As Abhi walked away Purab and I shared a laugh at his worry over me.

"It's been 10 years everyone... I'm no longer the heartthrob especially the college heartthrob." Abhi says laughing as he took the mic making most of the women shout out in disagreement. Abhi laughs even more. "I'm so glad to see you all. Thanks to my wife who browbeat me into coming here." Abhi says.

"Abhi, do you know that you and Pragya are the only people in our class who got married? None of the love birds got married but you two did." Adhesh says.

Abhi grins hearing that.

"So how did you and Pragya end up together? You guys were poles apart and I don't think you two even talked while we were in college."

Abhi turns to look at me and we smiled at each other.

"Was it love or arranged? And why were none of us invited to your wedding?" Adhesh asks.

"Somehow Pragya and I lost touch with all of you guys except for Purab and occasionally for Akash who is settled abroad now. And we got married four years back, and by that time we had lost touch with everyone it was difficult to invite you all for the wedding. And we apologize for that." Abhi says.

"So how did you guys get married?"

"Love marriage." Abhi replies happily.

"Wow... so you guys met after you left college? How did it start?" Adhesh asks.

"Well... we have been together since we were studying here." Abhi replies chuckling happily.

"WHAT?" almost everyone shouts in shock.

Abhi laughs seeing their shock and says, "Thanks everyone. Good to see you all." Then he quickly gets off the stage as he walked towards me.

"You two were dating while you were in college?" Tanu asks me in shock and I smile at her. "But how come we never knew about it?"

"I was his best friend and even I didn't know about it." Purab replies to Tanu as he got up from his chair and moved towards her seat as Abhi came back.

Abhi sits on the chair and turns to smile at me, "That was fun."

"I know you couldn't help having your sadistic pleasure by withholding all the information they needed." I tell him making him grin at me with his sexy wink and I fell in love with him all over again. He takes hold of my hand and gently squeezes it; I lean to his side and rest my head on his arms as I thought back to how it had all started.

12 years ago.

I was doing my first year under graduation in this same college. That day I was sitting at my usual place, the second last row in class. Each bench seated two people but I sat alone. I liked sitting alone and that too the last row but then Abhi had claimed the last row as his and I had to adjust with the second last row. Abhi was the most popular guy in college and all the girls were behind him, and he had a new girl on his arms every day. And these girls were willing to do anything for him. They considered themselves lucky if he remembered their names, I sigh. What despos!

"Everyone come prepared for tomorrow's test. This will be added to your internals and I won't be giving anyone a second chance." Professor Sinha tells us.

Everyone groans. I was already prepared for the tests and I had no issue with it. I see Abhi passing by and looks up to see him talking to the professor.

"I had football match... I couldn't attend classes... I don't even have the notes." I hear him argue with the professor, but the professor was having none of it. They argued for some more time and then suddenly professor called my name, "Pragya!"

"Yes sir." I look up in shock.

"Please help Abhishek with the notes and just explain to him what was taught."

"Okay." I say nodding my head.

Sighing Abhi walks back and as he walked past me he says, "Come sit with me."

I gather my notebook and pen, and goes to the bench behind mine ignoring all the jealous and how-lucky-is-she looks I was getting. I sit down next to him and he leans back with his knee dangling on the edge of the desk.

As I opened my notebook he takes out his mobile and started playing some racing game.

"You can start." Abhi tells me as he played.

I hesitantly start explaining all the while wondering whether he was even listening, then I decided I didn't care even if he was listening or not, I just wanted to finish explaining the whole thing so I can go back to my place. I was feeling very uncomfortable.

"Repeat that." Abhi orders me.

"Sorry?"

"I said repeat what you said just now. I didn't understand that."

"You were listening?" I asked shocked.

He looks up at me and asks curiously, "Did you think that I wanted to sit next to you and that is the reason I called you here?"

"No. I thought you called me because of Professor Sinha." I hesitantly explain.

"I do want to pass." Abhi tells me and I nod and get back to explaining.

"What was your name again?"

"Pragya Arora."

"Hmmm" This time, he had stopped playing and he was watching me as I resumed explaining.

"Can you stop staring? It is making me nervous." I tell him avoiding his eyes.

"Girls die to have me look at them."

"I know."

"They would consider themselves lucky if I give them five minutes of my time."

"I realize that, but I am not them."

"I realize that." He replies.

I look up at him in shock and the moment our eyes met something changed in him. It was like he had stopped breathing.

I quickly look down and start explaining.

He sighs, "I would need your notes later."

"Okay."

"Give it to me during break, I'll get it photocopied and return to you before the end of the day."

I nod in reply and continue teaching. Apart from him asking me to repeat something or some doubts he didn't say anything to me. Then he took my notebook and got it Xeroxed and gave it back in the evening. After that we never talked that year.

11 years ago i.e. the next year

First day of the new academic year after two months of summer holidays, I was sitting in class waiting for the first bell to ring when suddenly Abhi comes in.

"Who is Pragya Arora?" he asks loudly looking around.

"Me." I reply confused as everyone turned to look at us.

"You have parked your cycle in my parking spot. Come and move it." Abhi says and walks off.

Cycle? What cycle? I don't have a cycle.

"Why are you still sitting? Come! My car is blocking the other cars." Abhi says as he walked back in and then went out as quickly as he came.

"But wait!" I said as I ran behind him.

"Abhi listen..." I tried to tell him as I hurried behind him. What cycle is he talking about? I don't own a cycle. And did he say his parking spot? We were allotted parking spots? I thought it was on first come first serve basis. Oh yeah, he is Abhi. He might have pointed at a spot saying that is mine, and it would have undoubtedly become his.

"I don't have a cycle." I tell him as I hurried behind him.

He turns a corner and without thinking I follow him not realizing that was not the way to the parking area. He slows down as we neared a deserted area and I was able to catch up with him and as I reached his side I again try to explain, "I have no cycle. It might be someone else's."

He stops and turns to look at me and seeing him stop I also stop.

"I come by bus." I tell him.

He takes a step towards me and I quickly move back because if he took one more step we would be touching. He kept coming forward and I kept going backwards till I hit the wall. He keeps his hands on both sides of me; thankfully keeping them away from my body, there were a good 2 inches distances on both sides.

He leans down and whispers to my ears, "I love you."

I turn to look at him in shock and he quickly moves his head back, making me thank him in my mind for that, else our lips would have brushed against each other's.

I continued to stare at him wondering if I heard him right.

"I love you." He repeats again in a louder voice and I continued to stare at him not even realizing that I had stopped breathing.

I waited for his friends to jump out from somewhere laughing, as this could be nothing more than a prank.

"I am serious. I have never been more serious in my life."

My eyes go wide. I kept telling myself that this is some kind of a joke then I looked at his eyes and I realized without a doubt that he was telling me the truth. In some twisted play of fate, Abhishek Mehra was in love with me. And it scared me to no extend.

What has happened to him? What has happened to those girls who run behind him?

"Whatever I do, it becomes news here and I know you don't like being the center of attention. So I'm giving you my word that no one will find out about us."

I look at him in shock; he was talking as if we were a done deal.

"I meant if and when you say yes." He adds. "I know you, Pragya. You are not like those girls who are always hanging around with me. I won't touch you, Pragya. I promise you that I will not touch you till you become my wife."

WHAT? WIFE? Why was my tongue not working?

"Unless of course you fall down I have to catch you or something on those lines." He tells me chuckling while I continue to gape at him. "And yes you'll be my wife. I can't live without you and I won't give you up for anyone."

What is he talking about? What does he know about me? Ask him that. Ask. But cat got my tongue.

"I know you. I have been watching you. Do you know what sheer hell life was these two months when I couldn't see you? I wouldn't have told you about my feelings anytime now because you are simply not that type of a girl who would date a guy but these two months..." he shudders and says, "I can't go on like that. I love you, Pragya Arora."

When I continued to stare at him he leans down to kiss me and I force myself more against the wall but he doesn't move any further.

"All I can think about now is to kiss you but I won't. I respect you a lot and I won't disgrace you in any way."

What? What has happened to him? What has happened to the world? What has happened to the rest of the girls? What has happened to HIM? What is so special about me that, Abhishek Mehra thinks that he is in love with me? After all I am just an ordinary girl.

"You are not just an ordinary girl." He tells me making me gasp.

Did I say that out loud? Or can he read my thoughts?

"You are the most beautiful girl I've seen... the purest... looking at you makes me feel so pure."

That was by far the sweetest thing someone has told me... illogical and stupid but still the sweetest.

We hear the bell rings and he moves back to give me way. "Go." He tells me and I start to walk suddenly a thought occur to me, is that why he said that about the cycle and car park? To get me alone?

"I couldn't tell you all this in class and if I call you out then everyone are going to wonder why I called you out and you would have been the center of attention which you would not be comfortable with. So I lied." he tells me making me quake in fear whether he could really read my thoughts.

I walked half way in daze and the rest of the way I ran to my class. I sit on my seat and the moment I sat down my heart started beating faster, and my breathing was coming in spams. Then he sauntered in and I quickly look down when his eyes met mine. As he walked past me I heard him chuckle and I look up to see him wink at me and I panicked. I quickly look down and a second later I hear him sit down.

"I would be needing an answer, Pragya and I won't take no for an answer." He whispers to me making me all the more scared.

After that hour was over right after Abhi walked out of the class with Tanu and some other girls running behind him Purvi comes to me surprised, "Pragya, I heard Abhi called you out of the class. Why did Abhi call you outside?" Purvi asks me very curiously, excitedly and a little bit jealous.

And I understood what Abhi had meant when he said that people are going to ask questions. I wondered what to say and I couldn't really say that he called me away to say that he loved me. As I wondered what to say I remembered the reason he had given and repeats that. "My cycle was parked in his parking spot."

"But you come by bus right?" Purvi asks frowning.

"I missed my bus, so I came by cycle." I quickly lie as I turned pink. I was never good at lying because I was never good at talking.

"Hey Pragya! We hear you got a new cycle." Purab says as he and Akash walked towards me.

I look up at Abhi's best friends and wonder whether they were making fun of me or they really didn't know the truth.

"And why haven't you given us a treat yet?" Akash asks.

"Treat?" I ask in shock.

"Yes. You got a new cycle so you are supposed to treat your classmates. Don't you know?" Purab asks frowning. 

"You should interact with us a little more." Purvi says as she pulled me up.

"But..."

"To the canteen everyone. It is Pragya's treat." Akash announces and cheering every single one of them hurries.

Oh God! What am I going to do? The beginning of the month and I've to treat all these people? My pocket money would be over today itself, and that too for a cycle I don't even own.

As I stood at the counter alone waiting to part with my money, Abhi came next to me. "You didn't invite me for your treat, Pragya."

I turn to look at him and he gives me a sad expression though his eyes were full of mischief. "I'll have a strawberry ice cream." Abhi tells me and I continue to stare at him.

I was in this because of him and he wants me to treat him also? Why couldn't I open my mouth and say something?

He turns to nod at the sales boy and he quickly brings a strawberry ice cream making me wonder how he had people running to his every beck and call with just nods.

I start to take the money from my purse when Abhi puts money on the counter and the guy quickly takes it to bring him the balance.

I turn to look at him in shock and he says, "You don't have to treat for a cycle you don't even own. Between you and me, it is my treat. I told the love of my life that I love her, and isn't that something to celebrate about?" Abhi asks me smiling.

Seeing his mischievous smile directed at me, I finally realized why these girls were running behind him like stupid fools. Who wouldn't want to be the recipient of a smile like that? After taking the balance he turns to walk away and I sigh and start to take the heavy tray laden with everyone's food. He turns back to look at me and I start to leave the tray so he could carry it for me.

He gives me a regretful smile, "I would have loved nothing more than to help you carry that but if I do that, then people are going to start noticing us and you won't want that. Sorry, Pragya." saying that he walks off while I started following him towards the table with the tray.

As everyone ate I tried my best to ignore Abhi and get attention on something else. I started looking around watching people. I liked to watch people when they were busy with something else. For instance that girl from Economics was nervously writing her assignment. She might have had a fun summer and now was behind in submitting her assignment. Then there was her friend who was busy checking herself in the hand mirror not bothered about her friend's predicament.

"Can I taste your ice cream, Abhi?" I hear Tanu asking in cute tone.

"Sure." I heard his reply and turned to look at them.

There was a rumor the whole of last year that Tanu might get the coveted position of Abhi's girlfriend, and I knew Tanu was so sure of it.

Hell even I was sure about it but didn't see this one coming.

I watched as Tanu took a spoon of his ice cream and ate. Then she asks him as sweetly, "Do you want to taste mine?" she was about to feed him when he says "Not my flavor, Tanu."

I watched him curiously, he said he was in love with me and here he was sharing ice cream with Tanu all the while he had his one hand over Rachna's chair, and Rachna was in cloud nine for that "favor" from him. I shrug in disgust.

Next hour I was sitting in my place when he walked in and I didn't look at him. Very soon the lecture starts and I was engrossed in the lecture when I hear him whisper to me. "They are my friends."

I stopped writing but didn't turn back to look at him.

"They are just like my guy friends. They don't mean more than that to me. I'm not going to stop talking to the girls because I love you. If you want I would do it but then I won't be doing it with happiness."

I slightly turn back to look at him and finds him closer than I had expected. He was leaning on the desk as he talked to me.

"So do you want me to stop talking to them?" Abhi asks me.

Without even realizing I shake my head in no. He smiles at me and I couldn't help but smile back at him.

Things went smoothly for the next few days, though I couldn't stop thinking about him. I haven't said a word to him but my thoughts and gaze always returned to him. He also rarely talked to me, and if someone was sitting with him then he would not say anything. Now that I can't help myself and keep looking at him, I have caught him watching me at times. He would smile every time I caught him looking at me.

I was busy reading M & B, my guilty pleasure when I hear laughter. I look up to find him and his friends walking in. They all gang up at the front of the class as they laughed and talked. He had his hands over Aliyah's shoulder while he listened to Purab talk. I tried to get back to my book, but his presence and the loud chattering was a huge distraction and I close my book with a sigh. I start to look around my class when I saw Rachel giving coy looks to Sam.

Wasn't Rachel and Tony a thing? And she was having eye-sex with Sam? Oh God! Was she cheating on Tony or going to?

I shuddered and look away but I was curious again and turned to look at them. There was definitely something going on between them, Rachel was giving him a sexy smile.

"So Sam and Rachel... huh?" I turn back to look at him shock.

He was sitting with his chin resting on his palm.

"Don't look back. You don't want anyone to catch us... do you? Look straight." He tells me and I turn back to look at the professor all the while my heart slamming against my chest.

How did he find that out? Was he watching me when I was looking at them?

"You are shocked, right?" Abhi asks me. I remain silent and he goes on, "I am not surprised though." Abhi tells me.

I turn to give him a side glance curiously.

"Let's just say I have had a similar experience some time back."

My eyes go wide; did he just say that Rachel and he had a thing?

"Oh no, Pragya!" Abhi says in disgust.

"Tony is my friend. I would never do anything to hurt him."

"How can you read my thoughts?" I whisper to him in exasperation as I turn to look at him.

He chuckles in reply.

"You still haven't given me an answer and look straight if you don't want to be the talk of college."

I quickly sit straight looking ahead.

"So Pragya... what is it? Is it a yes or Oh YES?" Abhi asks me while I forced myself not to turn to look at him. "Don't you think it is high time that you give me an answer?" Abhi asks me. When I remained silent he says, "Actually, take your time. It is not like I am going to take no for an answer."

I sigh, what was I supposed to do? I didn't love him but I couldn't bring myself to say a no to him.

At home I was brushing my hair when I noticed that my eye brows have grown and I needed to do threading. Normally I wouldn't have bothered about it, but now I couldn't bring myself to go on with that imperfection on my face and grabbing my purse I run down.

"Mama, I'm going to the beauty parlor." I tell her as I looked in on her in the kitchen.

"WHAT?" my mama asks me in shock. "Pragya, did you just say you are going to the parlor?" my mother asks in obvious shock.

"Yes. I need to do my eye brows." I tell her.

"Every time I have to beg you to go to the parlor and now you are going by yourself?" my mother asks unable to hide her joy.

"Stop it, Mama." I say and hurry out as a blush crept up my face. I solely blamed Abhi for this; he made me conscious of my looks.

"I prefer your old perfume. This is not that great." He whispers to me.

I had trained myself in not turning back and looking at him when he said something outrageous such as this.

"This smells woody, and I know you are more into floral. So was it a gift?"

I nod slightly.

"Hmmm... I prefer your taste." Abhi tells me and then he just stopped talking just like that.

He was like that he at times whispers to me something and then just as quickly stops talking. I was starting to realize it was because of the promise he gave me regarding no one finding out about us.  I wondered how and when he started noticing me, I wish I could ask him that but I get tongue-tied when he is near me.

Next day, I wore my old perfume and sure enough the moment class started he whispered to me, "Smelling good, Pragya."

It's been three months since he told me he loves me and I still haven't given him an answer. I still saw him flirting with all the girls but I had started noticing how he never crossed his limits with anyone. It was a strange thing, I was as sure of sun rising in the east as I was about Abhi being in love with me, the most popular guy in college was in love with the ordinary me.

I was walking towards the class when I heard Abhi's angry words, "Stay in your limits, Tanu!" hearing him I quickly look inside the class room to find Abhi and Tanu.

Abhi looked downright angry, I have never seen him this angry.

"Why Abhi? Why do you keep running away from me? Don't you want me?" Tanu asks him in a half desperate, half sad tone.

"How many times have I told you that you are nothing more than a friend to me? If you forget that once more, then you won't even be my friend anymore." Abhi warns her and then he turns to walk out when he spots me at the door and he stops in shock.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Tanu asks me as she marched outside. "Don't you have anything better to do than spy on us?"

"You don't have to take your anger out on her. If you are angry with me then deal with me, and stop acting like a bully." Abhi tells her as he stepped out.

Tanu turns to him in fury.

"Where are you going?" Abhi asks me dispassionately.

"Class."

"Then get going." Abhi orders me and I walk away.

I was a little hurt by him and happy too. I was so happy that he had rejected Tanu's advances, Tanu the college beauty but I was a little hurt that he says he is in love with me and he didn't even defend me in front of Tanu.

"Sorry, Pragya." I hear him and I slightly turn my head to see him walking behind me as he looked here and there.

"Because of me Tanu behaved so badly with you. Trust me I wanted to teach her a lesson but then I couldn't fight with anyone for you like that. Then they will start wondering why I care so much about you... you understand right?" Abhi asks me.

God, he sounded nervous. Could he be anymore cute? I blush smiling.

"Pragya?" I nod my head in reply and without even looking at him I knew he had started smiling happily.

"Tanu is just crazy. She is been trying to throw herself at me for some time but nothing is going to happen." he tells me.

"I trust you." I tell him before I could stop myself.

"I trust you." he tells me.

I quickly turn to him in shock and says, "I don't even talk to other guys." I continue to walk.

"That is not what I meant." he explains.

"Then?"

"I meant, I trust you to trust me." He explains.

"So Pragya, when are you going to say yes to me?"

I start blushing again.

"I am growing tired of this." Abhi says in a warning tone and I felt my heart breaking.

Was he going to give upon me?

"I am starting to regret the promises I made." Abhi tells me.

I felt tears threatening to fill up my eyes. "That, of not touching you and that, we will be a secret. But if you don't say yes quickly enough then Pragya I'm going to break my promise and start seducing you."

I quickly turn back to look at him in shock and relief and he walks past me, saying without even looking at me "You have a week."

"Baby, I'd Love You To Want Me... The Way That I Want You... The Way That It Should Be... Baby, You'd Love Me To Want You... The Way That I want To... If You'd Only Let It Be"

I blush hearing him singing that to my ears. It's been three days since his threat.

"I am in two minds Pragya." Abhi tells me.

I curiously listen.

"I want you to tell me you love me as soon as possible but then I don't want you to do that too. If you don't do that, then I can break my promise and seduce you. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to sit so close to you and not touch you? Not to kiss you? My restrain should be the highest testament of my love for you."

Seeing me blush he sings again, "Baby, I'd Love You To Want Me... The Way That I Want You... The Way That It Should Be... Baby, You'd Love Me To Want You... The Way That I want To... If You'd Only Let It Be"

Two days later we were in class when Purab and Akash go to Abhi. I had developed a habit of eves dropping on him now.

"Abhi, what plans for today?"

"Today? No plans. Why?" Abhi asks them as he continued to play on his mobile.

"Let's go clubbing. It's been a while since we went together."

"Hmmm..." I turn to give him a side glance and he looks at me for a split second and tells them, "No yaar... you guys carry on."

"Why? You don't come clubbing anymore with us." Akash tells him.

"I promised my mom that I will quit drinking." Abhi tells them and I knew he was lying, I don't know how but I knew he was lying.

"What is she going to know?" Purab asks him.

"I'll know." Abhi replies as he resumed his game.

Purab and Akash stayed back to convince him some more but Abhi was not budging and finally giving up they leave.

Once I realized we were alone I lean back on my chair to talk to him and I hear "Yes?"

I quickly turn to him in shock and he was leaning on the desk and was grinning at me. How did he know I was going to talk to him?

"You were going to say..."

I quickly look forward lest I get distracted by his beautiful smile and eyes. "You can go for clubbing." I whisper.

"You think I am not going because I feel you won't like it?" he asks me and, suddenly I was confused, was that the reason or really he is quitting for his mother? "I was going a little out of control. Coming home always drunk and someone I met at the pub, you can say he is my friend, because he is the only person I discussed about you, anyway he got me thinking about the high chances of me becoming an alcoholic, and I realized that you might won't like if I come home drunk every day after marriage, and I decided to quit before I became an addict." Abhi explains.

A warm feeling started spreading through my heart when I realized that he had quit for me.

"Yes, I quit for you. Now, your concern for me, should I take that as a yes?"

I give him a side glance as I start blushing and smiling at once realizing I couldn't hold out anymore.

"Pragya..." I turn back to look at him properly and sees him happily smiling at me, "I love you too." I blush even more.

"Give me your number." Abhi whispers to me during the last hour.

I was shocked that he didn't have my number, he has been relentlessly pursuing me for the past few months and he didn't have my number?

"If I wanted I could have got your number but that would have raised many questions." Abhi explains.

Blushing uncontrollably I whisper my number to him.

"It's okay if I call you at night, right?" I shyly nod in yes.

That night I was getting ready for bed when my cell starts ringing. Seeing an unknown number I knew it was Abhi. I quickly get on the bed and pull the blanket over me.

Hiding under the blanket I pick the call.

"Pragggyaaa..." He says my name in such a sexy and sweet tone that I mentally sigh.  "Oh God! Don't tell me you are going to be silent on the phone too." Abhi says when I remained silent. "Say something, Pragya."

"You seem to know whatever I am thinking, so why I should I say anything?" I shyly ask him.

"Haayi!" Abhi says happily making me blush all the more.

"Say you love me."

"No."

"Why?"

"I am shy."

"That I know, Pragya. But say it."

"No."

"Just once."

"Please Abhi."

Abhi sighs "Okay."

"Abhi..."

"Yes?"

"Why do you love me?"

"Many reasons."

"But how? Of all the girls, me?"

"Only you caught my attention."

"That is a pompous thing to say."

"I know." Abhi chuckles.

"But how?" I ask again.

"I have been watching you for some time." "How and when did you start noticing me?" I ask him.

In reply he chuckles.

Few days later we were in class, I had my M&B in hand while Abhi was playing on his mobile.

"I am so excited about the trip." Abhi tells me.  

Our class was going for a week-long trip to Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur.

"Why?"

"Maybe we could find some time alone for ourselves."

"Ahan. But I'm not coming."

"Why? And that is not how you should say Ahan." Abhi tells me.

"I won't be comfortable. Then how do you say ahan?" I ask curiously.

"You won't even come for me?" then he leans forward and whispers on to my ears, "Pragyyyaaa Ahaaan."

I felt it to the very tip of my toes and I blush uncontrollably.

Chuckling he leans back and resumes playing.

"Abhi..." Tanu says as she walked towards him then stops seeing me, "Why is she blushing so much?"

I quickly look up at her in shock.

"Who?" Abhi asks curiously.

"Her." Tanu says pointing at me.

"I'm not blushing." I say quickly as I turned back to look at my book.

Suddenly I felt her tug at the book and see her checking the cover.

"Mills & Boons... thought so." Tanu says with attitude and walks towards Abhi. "I have decided to come for the trip too." Tanu tells him.

"You were not planning to come?" Abhi asks.

"Didn't I tell you yesterday?" Tanu asks a little irritated.

"It might have slipped my mind." Abhi says playing on his mobile.

"Anyways I am coming."

"Why were you not coming?"

"Because I have been to these three places a million times."

"Oh! And why are you coming now?"

"Because if we don't go for the trip, then we'll have to come to college these five days. There would be attendance. So I decided it is better to go for the trip than simply come here every day and sit."

"Why is it like that? No one will be here and there won't be any lectures." Abhi asks frowning.

"Yes, but then we'll be gone during our working days, so they can't give those not going for the trip holidays. So whoever is not going they'll have to come here and sit here the whole day or double attendance would be cut." Tanu explains to him.

After she leaves he asks me, "You knew that?"

"Yes."

"And still you decided to stay here than come with me?" he seemed upset.

"I like being with you Abhi." I shyly tell him, "But there will be everyone with you and we won't get any time for ourselves. Every girl would be following you. We won't be able to find any privacy, so I'll stay back." I tell him.

"Okay."

The next day, I walk into the empty class and sit in my seat. Everyone had gone for the trip. I take out my book and then suddenly changing my mind I get up and sit on Abhi's seat. I was already missing him. It was strange being in class without him. Sighing I keep my head on his desk and close my eyes thinking of him. He would be in the train now on the way to Jaipur.

I feel someone sit next to me and I start blushing knowing who it is.

"So you knew I wouldn't go." Abhi says.

I could hear his smile in his voice.

"I was hoping." I shyly tell him.

I feel him take my dupatta and I open my eyes to look at him.

"I didn't promise anything on touching your clothes." Abhi cheekily tells me making me blush.

I sit up and we just sat there smiling at each other like stupid fools.

"Abhishek, I thought you went for the trip." Professor Sinha says as he walked in.

I quickly get up while Abhi took his sweet time getting up.

"My cousin came for a week unexpectedly." Abhi informs him. "Is it necessary to come to college? It is just two of us." Abhi asks him.

"Rules are rules, Abhishek."

"I don't have to sit in class the whole day, right?" Abhi asks him.

"No, you can go out but every period come back here to give your attendance." Professor Sinha tells him and walks out.

"What if he had said that we don't have to come?" I ask him in shock.

"If I had the slightest doubt he would say anything else, I wouldn't have asked him." Abhi explains as he sits back down.

"Do you regret not going for the trip?" I ask him because he had said that he was excited about the trip and I kind of felt guilty.

"I get to spend time with you alone for 5 whole days. I wouldn't give that up for anything in the world." Abhi tells me.

I blush happily as I sat down.

"How did you start noticing me, Abhi?" I asked again because I still found it hard to believe that he could fall in love with me.

He grins at me.

"How could you fall for me?"

"Why not?"

"You are you and I am me."

"And that makes us perfect." Abhi tells me.

"But still... you are..."

"I am?"

"Have you watched Never Been Kissed?" I ask him.

"Not into chick flicks." He says shaking his head.

"There is a dialogue in that."

"What is that?"

"There's still that one guy...with his mysterious confidence... who seems so perfect in every way. The guy you get up and go to school for in the morning."

"And... that is me?" he asks me.

I nod and continue the dialogue, "South Glen would not have been the same without him. High school would not have been the same without him. I would not have been the same without him."

He remains silent for a while then he smiles looking at me, "It is kind of strange that it is you who have changed me without even trying." I look at him in shock, "My mom keeps asking me how I changed so much. I no longer come home drunk. I am going to college regularly. And now there are no girls in my life, other than my friends, all platonic except for you."

I smile hearing that, even though I knew it, it felt nice hearing him say that.  

"And you know what my attendance was in first semester?"

"No."

"45%. I wasn't even allowed to write my exams. You know what my attendance was last sem and this sem?"

"What?"

"100%."

I look at him in shock and he tells me, "You are the girl I get up and come to college for in the morning."

And that moment I wanted him to kiss me, and I quickly look away.

He sighs, "Me and my big promises!"

I giggle hearing that knowing that even he wanted to kiss me. That whole day we spent together. We were happy and it was pure bliss. We were together the whole day, we talked and I even copied his notes for him, and at night we talked till the wee hours of the morning.

"I saw Never Been Kissed." Abhi says as he saw me in the class.

"Did you like it? It is a great movie right?" I ask him excitedly.

"Hmmm yeah. You could say that." He says uncomfortably.

"It is not manly to like Chick Flicks?" I ask shocked.

"Nope." He replies as he sits down next to me.

"There is another dialogue in that that you didn't tell me but fits for both of us.

"The Penguins one?" I ask him excitedly.

"Penguins?" he asks confused.

"Adelie penguins... they spend their whole lives... looking for that one other penguin...and when they meet them, they know...and they spend the rest of their lives together." I tell him.

"Exactly how many times have you watched it?" Abhi asks shocked.

"I watch it almost every week." I tell him blushing shyly.

"Oh God!" Abhi says in dread.

"So what dialogue were you talking about?" I ask him curiously.

"Those girls are still there... the ones that, even as you grow up... will remain the most beautiful girls...you have ever seen close up." Abhi says.

I shyly look away. I knew I was beautiful, I should be blind to not notice it, but I wasn't that beautiful.

"And that Penguin thing, even though it took me a while and you a longer while to realize it, I do believe it does apply to us." Abhi tells as he leaned close to me though not touching.

I so wished he would kiss me but *sigh*. 

Time flew quickly, and everyone was back, and our bliss also came to an end. Things were back to normal, Abhi and I talked at home and in class when no one was looking at us. So far, no one knew about our relation and we were happy with that. There was no unnecessary teasing, watching and people trying to create problems between us.

One day we were in class when Abhi suddenly walked in, "Everyone! Tomorrow evening party at my place and all of you are invited." Abhi announces and everyone starts cheering.

I turn to look at my book as I knew I couldn't go.

"Pragati!" I hear Abhi's voice and wondered who this Pragati was. I look up curiously and he was looking at me.

"Did you hear me?" Abhi asks me.

"Me?" I ask back confused.

Did he just call me Pragati?

"Her name is Pragya." Purab tells him.

"Oh! Whatever. Be there."

"I can't come." I tell him uncomfortable with everyone's attention on me.

"Did you just say no to Abhishek Mehra?" Abhi asks me frowning as he walked towards me.

"I..." I look up at him in shock wondering what has happened to him.

"No one says no to Abhi." He tells me.

"I can't come."

"Why?"

"I just can't." I tell him shrugging avoiding everyone's gaze on me.

"You are coming. No one says no to me! Be there or it won't be good for you." Abhi says and turns to walk off then he stops and says, "You know what? Tomorrow after college you are coming to my house with me!"

"WHAT?"

"Yes! Be ready!" Abhi orders me.

"Let it be, Abhi. If she doesn't want to come then leave her alone, man." Purab tells him.

"When I decide something I expect others to follow it." Abhi says that and walks off.

"It's okay, Pragya. Stay for a few minutes and leave." Akash tells me while I stood there amazed and shocked at Abhi's plan. 

"You did that on purpose!" I accuse him.

"Yes." Abhi replies.

"Why?"

"Because I wanted to take you with me." Abhi replies happily.

"But I can't come, Abhi."

"Why?"

"It is inauspicious to enter your sasural before wedding." I explain to him.

"Ahaaan." He says in that sexy drawl and I blush from head to toe. "Sasural huh? ... but I don't believe in all that. You are coming and that is final."  

Next day, right after class he whisked me away to his car. As he drove to his house I kept checking my appearance as it is the first time I was going to his house and his parents might be there.

"Are you nervous?" Abhi asks laughing.

"Yes, first time I am coming to your house and I should look nice."

"You are looking perfect." Abhi tells me smiling lovingly at me.

I decided to let it be and try to relax. I was amazed to see his mansion. I knew he was rich but didn't know he was this rich, and suddenly I realized that it was such a bad idea coming here. In spite of wearing my best dress looking at the mansion I realized how simple I looked. I started panicking.

"Everything is going to be perfect." Abhi tells me in a reassuring tone.

Seeing him looking at me confidently, I decided to put my worries to rest as long as he was beside me nothing could go wrong. I smile and get out of the car.

Abhi and I walk into his house.

"Be here." Abhi tells me excitedly and hurries inside.

I was standing there wondering what to do when I hear a voice, "Yes?"

I turn back to see an elderly lady standing behind me. I started panicking as I looked inside for Abhi.

"Who are you?" she asks me with a smile.

"Er... Pragya. I'm.." I was about to tell her that I was Abhi's friend when suddenly she started smiling so happily at me.

"Pragya!" she cups my face happily.

"MOM! I was looking for you." Abhi says as he hurries to my side.

"This is Pragya." Abhi tells her happily.

"I know. She is so beautiful." Abhi's mother says.

Realizing she is my future mother-in-law I quickly bend down to touch her feet. She blesses me and hugs me happily. "I was dying to see you." Abhi's mom says.

"She was refusing to come saying it is inauspicious to enter ones' sasural before wedding." Abhi tells her.

She looks at me and with a gentle smile tells me, "Nothing like that dear, it is not inauspicious, just to prevent the bride from entering the sasural before the wedding as people believe that if the bride enters the sasural before the wedding, then once she enters after the marriage there won't be any excitement in anyone as it won't be her first time there. It is a myth to prevent the brides from going to the sasural before wedding. Nothing to worry about." Abhi's mother explains to me and I relaxes and smiles happily at her. 

"Where is Dad?"

"I am here." I hear Abhi's Dad's voice and quickly look that side. "Who is this?" he asks as he walked towards me.

As he reached me Abhi introduces me, "This is your bahu."

His dad looks at me in shock. "So soon?" He asks Abhi and then he turns to smile at me. I quickly bend down to take his blessing when he stops me midway and then he lovingly kisses me on my forehead.

"What's your name?"

"Pragya."

"Ah beautiful name. Just like you." He tells me lovingly.

I talked to Abhi's parents for a while then slowly-slowly everyone started coming for the party, and Abhi and I split up. We went to two ends of the party though we kept looking at each other happily.

Everything was going fine for a while when a problem aroused. I was about to leave for my college when I was stopped by my parents.

"Pragya, wait." Papa stops me and I look at him, he and Mama were coming towards me. "Pragya, yesterday we checked your kundali." Papa starts hesitantly.

"And?" I ask sensing I was not going to like what was going to follow.

"It says in your kundali that if you don't get married now then you won't be able to marry for 7 years."

"What?" I ask shocked. Abhi and I are still studying; Abhi won't be able to marry me now.

"We are going to look for a groom, Pragya." Mama tells me gently.

"I don't want to get married now." I tell them unable to hide my panic.

"Waiting 7 years is not an option." Papa tells me.

"I am still studying."

"You can study after marriage too." Papa tells me.

"I won't marry now."

"You'll, Pragya." Mama tells me in finality.

I quickly leave hurrying to college.

I waited for Abhi in college. The same place where he told me he loved me. I tried my best to control my tears, I was scared.

"Pragya, what happened?" Abhi asks as he hurried to me.

"Abhi... Papa is thinking of my marriage." I tell him worriedly.

"WHAT? You are still studying." Abhi tells me outraged.

I quickly tell him what had happened.

"Who believes in all this kundali crap?" Abhi asks angrily.

"My parents do. Please Abhi do something. I can't live without you." I beg him.

"But Pragya... what will I do? I am still studying and I am just 19. I can't legally marry also." Abhi asks confused.

"I love you." I finally tell him those three words.

Abhi sighs "I know, Pragya and I love you. I won't let anyone come between us. I promise you that."

"Can I hug you?" I ask him in tears and in reply he opens his arms for me and I run into his arms.

Evening, I was nervously sitting in my house waiting for Abhi. He said he will come and talk to my parents. I hear the door bell and hurry to open, and finds Abhi with his parents. I didn't expect him to come with his parents, I quickly take their blessings and invites them in. Once they are settled in, I call my parents saying that they have visitors.

My parents come out and then I witnessed something that I never thought I would witness in my entire life.

The moment my father came in view Abhi got up from his seat excitedly, "UNCLE!" then we all stood in shock while Abhi happily hugged my Papa.

"What are you doing here?" Abhi asks him smiling ear to ear.

"This is my house. What are you doing here?" Papa asks him smiling happily.

"WHAT? NO WAY!" Abhi says in shock. "You are Pragya's Dad?"

"Yes. And how do you kno... PRAGYA?" Papa asks him in shock.

"Yeah! Pragya!" Abhi says excitedly.

"Oh God!" Papa says in shock.

"And you believe in kundali?" Abhi asks in shocked disappointment. "Of all the people, YOU?"

"I am a father." Papa says shrugging.

"How do you know each other?" I ask them in shock.

Abhi was about to answer me when Papa cuts him off, "We know each other."

Abhi looks at Papa and something was decided between them and he says, "We know each other."

"So you love each other?" Papa asks Abhi.

"Yes. 7 years is just perfect. We both will be settled in life by then and it would be the right time to marry also." Abhi tells him.

Papa sighs and says, "I don't want to force Pragya into a marriage she doesn't want. So fine."

"Thanks Uncle." Abhi says and hugs him again.

"But I don't want the whole of college and town knowing about this till we have an official engagement." Papa tells us.

"No worries Uncle. Apart from people in this room, no one knows about Pragya and me." Abhi tells him.

Present day

"Pragya?" Abhi says my name shaking me gently.

I turn to look at him in shock.

"If you wanted to remember our old time we could have done that at home while you were resting in bed." Abhi tells me.

"How do you know what I am thinking?" I ask exasperated.

"I am Edward Cullen from Twilight." He cheekily tells me making me roll my eyes.

"They are calling you to stage." Abhi tells me.

"WHAT?" I ask in shock and feel the kick too.

"Kicked. 10." I inform him and he sighs in relief.

"I was getting worried." Abhi tells me.

"Okay, you go."

"No... Abhi you know I can't do that. I can't go on stage. Please no." I tell him worried. I had stage fright and so many people looking at me at once was not something I was comfortable with. Then I felt another. "He is kicking again." I tell him.

"She is taken after you. She wants to leave from here as she doesn't like being the center of attention." Abhi tells me excitedly.

"Or he could be like you, asking me to hurry up and go to stage." I tell him.

"Okay, if you don't want to go on stage then it is fine. I'll tell them." Abhi tells me and I relax.

A while later we were walking out. "You are fine?" Abhi asks again.

"Yes, I am fine." I tell him smiling. Thinking about our romance was giving me a rejuvenated feel. "Abhi, please tell me how and when did you start noticing me?"

Abhi grins in that mysterious way of his making me fall in love with him again.

That Ahan thing, was a Madhubala thing... I just kept it in this story.

Where Abhi met Pragya's Dad... You read carefully, then you can figure it out. Otherwise, I'll be posting the exact same story from Abhi's perspective and you can find out from there.

Writer: Book. Worm