Thanks for the votes and comments.
He quickly tried to think of a way to deflect her question. "I'm really tired, lemme get freshened up after that we can talk," he said, trying to sound nonchalant.
Pragya nodded and sat on the bed, waiting for him. Abhi quickly took a shower, trying to wash away the guilt and anxiety that was building up inside him.
When he came out of the shower, Pragya looked up at him expectantly, but Abhi ignored her questions and initiated romance instead. He kissed her softly, trying to distract her from his earlier absence.
Later, as they lay in bed, Abhi said goodnight, kissing her forehead. Pragya found it weird that he was being so affectionate, but she ignored it and fell asleep.
Abhi realized she was asleep and said, "I'm so sorry, baby." He then fell asleep.
The next morning, Pragya asked Abhi, "Where did you go last night?"
Abhi looked away, avoiding her question. "Ignore it, Pragya," he said, his tone dismissive.
Pragya felt hurt by his words. She had been looking forward to spending quality time with him and Ahaan, and his dismissal stung. "Everything came to an end yesterday, and I was wondering if you could take Ahaan and me out today. It's been a while," she said, trying to sound casual.
But Abhi just got up and left without saying a word, leaving Pragya feeling frustrated and confused.
Ahaan came into the room, looking excited. "Mom, you said Dad would take us out today," he said, looking up at Pragya.
Pragya forced a smile. "Yeah, but I guess Dad is busy. Let's make it some other time, okay?"
Ahaan looked disappointed, but then his face brightened. "But Mom, I'm resuming school tomorrow. Can't we go out today?"
Pragya hesitated, not wanting to disappoint Ahaan again. "We can go out on the weekends, okay?"
Ahaan looked upset. "You both always have time for each other, but not for me," he said, his voice trembling.
Purab, who had been watching the scene unfold, stepped in to cheer Ahaan up. "Hey, kiddo, why don't we go out today? Just the three of us, and Bulbul can join us too!"
Ahaan's face lit up, and he nodded enthusiastically. Pragya smiled, grateful to Purab for saving the day.
***
On the other side, Abhi was shown sitting with Tanu at her house, laughing and chatting like old times. Tanu looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "Abhi, how was it so easy for you to forgive me?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Abhi's expression softened, and he took her hand in his. "It's because you're my first love, Tanu," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "I love you so much, and I couldn't bear the thought of living without you."
Tanu's eyes welled up with tears, and she whispered, "I'm sorry for everything, Abhi. I'll never leave you again, no matter what."
Abhi smiled and told her to forget about the past. "I'll cook for you today," he said, getting up from the couch.
Tanu's face lit up, and she exclaimed, "I'll help you!" But Abhi just laughed and told her to sit down in the kitchen while he cooked.
As they sat down to eat, Tanu suddenly slumped forward, unconscious. Abhi quickly got up and left her house, returning to his own home.
Meanwhile, Pragya was shown lost in thought, thinking about Abhi and his strange behavior. She called him, and he picked up, asking where she was. Pragya told him she was out with Ahaan, Purab, and Bulbul.
Abhi asked for their location and joined them. As he arrived, Pragya couldn't help but notice the same perfume on him that she had smelled the night before. But she decided not to ask him about it in public.
Ahaan was thrilled to see his dad and ran to hug him. They all enjoyed themselves, laughing and chatting, except for Pragya, who couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off about Abhi's behavior.
As they spent more time together, Pragya couldn't help but notice the changes in Abhi. He seemed distant, preoccupied, and his eyes seemed to hold a secret that he wasn't sharing with her.
As soon as they got home, Pragya took Abhi to their room, her eyes filled with concern. "What's going on, Abhi?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Abhi acted innocent, trying to downplay her concerns. "Nothing's going on, Pragya. Why are you so worried?"
But Pragya's tears began to flow, and she asked, her voice shaking, "Are you cheating on me, Abhi?"
Abhi's expression turned defensive, and he said, "I can never do that, Pragya. How can you even think that?"
Pragya's tears continued to flow, and she asked, her voice laced with pain, "Then where did that new perfume come from? Why can't you tell me when you're going out that you're going here or there? What's going on, Abhi?"
Abhi tried to brush off her concerns, saying, "There's nothing going on, stop exaggerating. Do you think I can do that?"
Pragya's tears turned to sobs, and she said, her voice cracking, "No, but you're making me doubt you... and I put it to you that you're cheating on me."
Ahaan came into the room, saw his mom crying, and ran to her, asking his dad, "What happened, Papa?"
Pragya cried even more, hugging her son tightly. Abhi tried to separate them, telling Ahaan to leave, but Pragya just held on tighter.
Abhi tried to console Pragya, but she pushed him away and ran to the washroom, locking the door behind her.
Abhi stood outside the washroom, feeling helpless and unsure of what to do. He knew he couldn't tell Pragya about his true intentions, about Tanu, and about the plans he had made. He knew she wouldn't like the idea, and it would only lead to more pain and heartache.
Abhi stood outside the washroom, feeling helpless and unsure of what to do. He called out to Pragya, "Pragya, please open the door."
But Pragya refused, and Abhi's tone turned slightly stern. "Pragya, open the door, or I'll break it."
Pragya hesitated for a moment, and then slowly opened the door. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, and Abhi's heart went out to her.
Ahaan, who had been quietly watching the scene unfold, looked up at Abhi with concern. Abhi quickly told him, "Ahaan, go to the living room, beta. Papa will take care of Mom."
Ahaan nodded and left the room, leaving Abhi alone with Pragya.
"Stop crying, Pragya," Abhi said, trying to comfort her. But Pragya wouldn't stop, and she asked him, her voice shaking, "Why are you doing this to me, Abhi? Tell me the truth."
Abhi took a deep breath and said, "I'm not cheating on you, Pragya. I swear."
But Pragya looked unconvinced, and Abhi knew he had to come up with a convincing excuse. "I was shooting a romantic scene with my costar today," he said, trying to sound casual. "That's where the perfume came from."
Pragya looked skeptical, and Abhi knew he had to do some damage control. "Why couldn't you simply tell me?" she asked, her voice still shaking.
Abhi took a deep breath and said, "Because I knew you wouldn't like it. You hate it when girls touch me, and I didn't want to upset you."
Pragya looked at him, her eyes still filled with tears, and said, "I'm sorry for overreacting."
Abhi smiled and hugged her tightly. "I'm all yours, Pragya," he said, his voice filled with emotion.
Pragya smiled, still sniffing, and Abhi laughed a little, caressing her hair and giving her gentle kisses.
Abhi asked Pragya, "Are you okay now?"
Pragya smiled and playfully beat him, "Yes, I'm fine. But you stressed me out so much!"
Abhi chuckled and pulled her close, "I think this is the right time to get a little princess for Ahaan," he whispered, making Pragya blush.
Just as they were about to get romantic, Ahaan walked into the room, "Mom, how are you? What happened?"
Abhi intervened, "Don't mind her, champ. Your mom is just a crying baby."
But Ahaan was concerned, "Mom, are you okay?"
Pragya reassured him, "Yes, beta. I was just overreacting about something. But I'm fine now."
Ahaan scolded Pragya, "Mom, why do you cry unnecessarily? You worried me so much!"
Pragya apologized, "I'm sorry, beta. I'm just glad to know I have a son who will always protect me."
Abhi chuckled, "It's funny how he didn't even trust me when I said you're okay. Really, Ahaan? Does it mean you don't trust me when it comes to your mom?"
Ahaan explained, "Not like that, Papa. I just wanted to hear from her... I love her so much."
Abhi teased, "So, you love Mom more than me?"
Ahaan replied, "No, Papa. I love you both, but..."
Pragya intervened, "Leave my son alone!" She hugged Ahaan tightly, and the two of them fell onto the bed.
Abhi joined in, hugging them both tightly, "I'm squeezing you both to death!" He showered them with kisses, making them laugh.
*
Abhi got a call and excused himself, leaving Pragya and Ahaan to their pillow fight. He answered the call, and Tanu's voice came through on the other end.
"Where are you?" Tanu asked.
"I'm on set," Abhi replied.
"How's it going?" Tanu asked.
Abhi asked, "How are you doing? You fell asleep after food, what happened?"
Tanu replied, "I'm okay, I don't know why I fell asleep. It's weird."
Tanu asked, "Will you come over tonight?"
Abhi replied, "Yes, I'll come over tonight. I'll see you soon."
The call ended, and Abhi returned to Pragya and Ahaan, who were still engaged in their pillow fight. Abhi joined in, laughing and playing with them.
Weeks passed, and Abhi continued to spend time with Tanu, telling Pragya that he was busy with his upcoming series. Pragya was convinced, and Abhi's secret remained safe.
One day, Tanu asked Abhi, "Why do I always fall asleep after eating with you? I don't understand, because it doesn't happen when I'm alone."
Abhi raised an eyebrow, "Are you trying to accuse me of something?"
Tanu quickly replied, "No, it's just weird. It always happens like that."
Abhi's expression turned angry, "If that's how you think about me, then I won't meet you again."
He pretended to leave, but Tanu stopped him, "Wait, why are you overreacting? It might just be a coincidence."
Abhi turned back to her, "It's because of the way you said it."
Tanu said, "Come on, Abhi, let's forget about it."
Just then, Pragya walked into the restaurant with Bulbul and Purab. Bulbul was the first to spot Abhi, and she nudged Pragya to look in his direction.
Pragya's eyes widened in shock as she saw Abhi and Tanu feeding each other. She quickly made her way over to them, her face stern.
"Is this the romantic scene you were talking about?" Pragya asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Abhi's eyes widened in shock as he saw Pragya standing there, her eyes blazing with anger.
Tanu, on the other hand, seemed unfazed. She smiled sweetly at Pragya and said, "It's good you've seen everything yourself. I'm sorry he's your husband, but he's mine."
Abhi tried to talk, but Pragya cut him off, her voice firm. "Don't say anything, Abhi. Just leave me alone."
She turned and walked away, leaving Abhi to follow her. "Pragya, wait! Please listen to me!" he called out, but she didn't stop.
Tanu smiled smugly and said, "Let her go, Abhi. It's good she's seen us."
Abhi's face darkened, and he turned to Tanu, his voice low and menacing. "Shut up, Tanu."
Purab stepped forward, his face filled with disappointment. "I'm so disappointed, Bhai. How could you cheat on Pragya with Tanu, of all people? She's the one who hurt you so much in the past."
Abhi tried to explain, "You don't understand, Purab..."
But Purab cut him off, his voice firm. "No, Abhi. I don't want to hear it. I'm going to go check on Pragya."
Purab followed Pragya, with Bulbul trailing behind them without saying a word.
They found Pragya sitting in the car, crying uncontrollably. Bulbul sat down beside her, trying to console her.
But Pragya was too hurt, too betrayed. "How could he do this to me, Bulbul? With Tanu, of all people?" she sobbed.
Bulbul held her close, trying to comfort her as Purab drove them away from the restaurant, away from Abhi and Tanu.
See you soon with the next part