AbhiGya SS ~ No Strings Attached

Chapter 1: Old Wine in New Bottle

"Beta this time ask your sister what her future plans are, okay? Every time I ask her, she gives me philosophy lectures like, she likes living in the present, if the present is good it conceives a good future and all that. I know she dodges my questions, but I am sure she will give you good answers"

"And when she dodges your questions Ma, then why do you think she will give me correct answers?"

"Dare she dodge questions and irritate a woman running in pregnancy hormones? Even if she tries, I will tip her with a few personal experiences! She will get the point" chuckled Purab from the table, earning a glare from Bulbul. Sarla and daadi hid their faces to laugh.

"But seriously betaji, I know Pragya is completely over with Abhi and her past. I know she and that other professor, Raghav Chopra - they like each other. All I say is, if they like each other for over two years now, why aren't they making the move? Betaji, when you could convince her to come to India, I know only you can convince my stubborn daughter to start up life afresh with Raghav. I just want her to settle down too betaji. It's been so long" sighed Sarla.

"Auntyji, I understand. I think after what happened last time, Pragya di is just cautious. I will try talking to her, I promise. But in the meanwhile I request you all to remember that under no circumstances will anyone even utter Abhi's name in di's presence. I know it's easier to dodge the topic when we talk for some time with her on the phone, and with her being around in the house it's difficult - but if she can do as much as come down to Mumbai to meet us - we can do this for her too"

They all silently agreed. "Abhi" was a tabooed word in the Khanna household for the one month Pragya would be around. For Purab it would be most difficult because Abhi was still his best friend and he met him on a regular basis. Aakash had been managing Abhi's affairs for years now. But Purab still managed his finance. He had once thought of telling Abhi about staying away from his family for the month because Pragya was coming - but he knew Abhi, what if he decided to come and meet her or something? He knew he couldn't keep the news under the warp for too long, but he decided to not spill the beans so early - he would handle Abhi as and when he posed trouble. For now he had to leave for the airport.

Abhi was in great terms with Bulbul too. True, Bulbul was initially shocked to know about their divorce appeal. But Pragya had broken it down to her and Purab carefully that it was a mutual decision and she had no hard feelings for him. When she didn't believe her she compared her love for Abhi with Aaliyah's love for Purab. When Purab couldn't be held responsible for loving Bulbul when Aaliyah loved him, then how could Abhi be held responsible for loving Tanu when she loved him. Bulbul had to agree. Pragya had similarly pitched for Abhi before Purvi, her daadi, even Aakash and the daasi's. When he was taking on daadi and ma for her, she wanted to ensure all his other relations remained intact and supported him - she owed him this much. As for Sarla and daadi, they were most upset, but with time they succumbed to their emotional injuries. Daadi had finally forgiven Abhi, and on seeing how she ensured and secured Pragya's future, even Sarla was cordial with him now.

Purab was well on his way to the airport when he received a call from home. An extremely worried and nervous Sarla ma had informed him that Bulbul had started to get her labour pain two days in advance. Apparently she wasn't feeling right from the morning itself, but she ignored it thinking it was morning sickness, but in due course her uneasiness increased, giving in to the pain. Purab panicked hearing that. He put Sarla's call on hold and called for an ambulance at home, and then informed Sarla that he was coming right back. He then took a U-turn and sped towards his Bulbul.

When Pragya walked out of the airport, she was expecting to see a radiantly smiling Purab at the arrivals gate. But to her dismay he wasn't there. She thought he must have been caught in traffic and waited for quarter of an hour before calling him. But even when she called and he didn't pick up, she was startled. She tried her mother's number and yet no answer! She knew everyone was at the Khanna's so there was no point in going home, and she couldn't directly go to Bulbul's house either, because they had recently shifted to this bungalow. She knew it was in Cuff Parade, but she didn't know the exact address.