AbhiGya SS ~ No Strings Attached

Chapter 6: The Denouement (PART 2)

Pragya stood there silently, as tears gushed out of her eyes. For her, no one existed in that room other than her and Abhi. It opened doors to uncountable past memories, where Abhi was there to save her. The time when she fell of the bridge and he had saved her, that lecher in the restaurant when he was cozying up to her, how he had protected her. The time the dori of her blouse had come out during Aaliyah's engagement with Purab, how he had protected her, the time when Aaliyah and Tanu had trapped her in the MMS drama, how he had proved her innocent and saved her. These memories were too powerful and after reminiscing them after so many years, it overwhelmed her and she broke down to sobbing. Abhi tried going near her but Purab blocked him. Seeing the tension, Bulbul ran to her and consoled her.

"Okay, let us call up Raghav and clarify this?" opined Bulbul.

When Raghav entered the Khanna mansion, it felt different. It didn't seem as friendly or welcome it always did. He entered the hall to see Purab standing with his hand folded looking out of the window, Pragya sitting on the couch with her face hidden by her palm, Bulbul consoling her and Abhi standing with his hands on his waist. Purab saw him and rushed to him.

"Raghav, you called my di a trophy wife for you?" asked Purab glaring at Abhi. Raghav was taken aback, of all the things he was expecting, this wasn't one. He looked uncertainly at Abhi, but Abhi was looking at Pragya. He smiled, his trick had worked. Finally he will be able to show Pragya, how Abhi truly felt for her - he wanted to give Pragya a chance - he wanted to see if Pragya would consider giving Abhi a chance knowing his true feelings - Afterall Raghav had seen how hopelessly Pragya used to love Abhi at one point of time in life. He wanted to give Pragya a fair chance to reciprocate - he owed her this as a friend.

"Yes I did. I told Abhi that" replied Raghav quietly. Purab gasped and Pragya looked up shocked.

"See Pragya! I told you he doesn't deserve you. You deserved to be loved, to be cared for, this man can't give you that. Don't get me wrong Pragya, but please don't marry him." Finished Abhi breathing heavily.

Pragya stared at Abhi, once more he had ripped her heart apart with his care. His concern, his determination to protect her - these were the reasons she had fallen in love with her knight in shining armour in the first place. And today, when all was lost, why did he still care? Her uncontrollable sobs were back and she couldn't hold on to her rationality any longer. She didn't expect love from Raghav, her expectation was companionship so she didn't mind his statement as much. But Abhi? His care for her tortured her and balmed her at the same time. She got up and she walked across all of them and started leaving from the room. She had taken four years to mend her heart, and one trip to India left her wound open and fresh - this is why she didn't want to come to India, her coming was the mistake she made. Now that she will return, she will not even come back to die in this country thought Pragya. She was sobbing and hurrying past Abhi, when he caught hold of her hand.

"Pragya, why are you going away from here?"

"Because I can't stay here even one minute longer" came her reply in between sobs. Bulbul tried walking towards her but Raghav stopped her.

"Why can't you be here for even a minute longer? If the need be, we will send Raghav away" whispered Abhi bringing his head close to her and speaking soothingly, barely more than a whisper.

"It is not Raghav. Just let me go." Cried Pragya

"Then what is it Pragya tell me, I will sort it for you" whispered back Abhi, tightly holding Pragya and again barely whispering with his head close to her ears.

His soothing voice, so close to her, comforted her. It calmed her nerves and for the first time in years gave her the courage to say something she hadn't said ever before to him.