Twist in the tale… Part 13

“What? No… Not Pragya. Anyone else is ok!” Abhi said stopping suddenly.

How can I see her now? I will get caught!

“Abhi… you came here to see her. Very well you were ready to lose the bet. Then WHAT?” Purab asked crossing his arms.

“No no… I won’t” Abhi shook his head vigorously. “I was the one who challenged first. If I myself do something like that, she will have a laugh on me” he said, clearly showing he had made his mind.

Purab and Bulbul were losing their temper. Bulbul started shouting. “Stop this Abhi. EGOIST! You won’t know… I had a time with Pragya! This month… I can never forget” she said sighing very badly.

“Why are you regretting staying with Pragya?” Abhi asked, slightly angry.

How can someone regret staying with her? If that was it, such days would be the best days of my life. And even if she had been a little stubborn—she is always—how can someone regret it? How can someone scold her? No one can… no one should.

“Oh oh I am not telling her anything. Fine is it?”

“That’s better” Abhi warned, his tone alarmingly polite.

“But what happened with you?” Purab asked, emphasizing the last word.

“Then did something happen with you?” Abhi asked, his attention turning to Purab’s side.

“No yaar. She was upset. Not my usual Pragya” Purab said, more absorbed in thoughts than in what he was saying.

Abhi looked at him with a mixed look of anger and suspicion.

“Ok fine Abhi. Leave him. You listen to what happened Purab… She was just getting hyper. I didn’t know why. I mean… she wasn’t the Pragya I knew. For every single thing, she used to burst out. Just a small disturbance… and she won’t let you sleep all night. That much scolding you would get. She didn’t touch her books for weekend exams. Though she scores well, it is abnormal to see a non-studying Pragya” Bulbul sighed. She continued “She stopped using mobile these days. I mean except for chatting with her brother or college issues, her phone would always be switched off. I don’t know why” Bulbul said.

‘I know’ someone thought.

“Anyways, let’s search for her now”, she searched Pragya.

Suddenly Pragya came running to Bulbul, screaming. Abhi hid behind Purab. The moment he saw Pragya, he didn’t know why… an unexpected excitement spread throughout him. His lips widened and he stood giving that goofy but still-handsome smile. Trying to hide his giant self behind Purab’s comparatively lean physique, he hunched low. A yellow skirt matched by her brown blouse, Pragya’s costumes perfectly matched his yellow T, which he had worn with dark brown denims. Abhi couldn’t help but cherish the way they both match each other.

When Abhi was slowly getting carried away to his dreamland, a loud shrill brought him back.

“Spicy, Spicy, Spicy…!” Pragya screamed again.

Abhi looked at Purab not understanding, and Purab who realised that Abhi was in dreamland told him that Pragya had eaten something real spicy, just because it was colourful. Abhi looked in Pragya’s direction, only to see her blowing air out of her mouth. Her eyes wide, lips uncontrollably quivering Pragya scolded the caterer who was stupid enough to cook nothing but chillies. Unable to control himself, Abhi burst out laughing. If not for Purab’s timely catch, Abhi would have fallen face flat on the floor. But yeah, Abhi still went on laughing.

This side, Pragya who noticed nothing that was happening around her, was shaking Bulbul to and fro scolding her very badly. Tara who was passing by saw that Pragya was in very bad need of drink as she was continuously asking Bulbul for a glass not even letting her go and get it. So she immediately gave her some of the drink that she had in her hand.

Pragya saw that the glass was way toooooo small but without a second thought she emptied it into her mouth. “Tara! She wants water” Bulbul screamed and everybody’s eyes widened as they realised what just happened now.

Well, Pragya’s reaction was priceless. Her brows shrunk as she made a grotesque gesture. Reacting like she had tasted bitter gourd, Pragya let out a few cries. She scowled and was acting as if she would puke any moment. “Oh my Goodness…! How do you guys even drink this?” she said holding her head. “Someone-give-me-water” she shouted.

Bulbul was thankful that Pragya could handle it. She had already decided to make them somehow speak to each other—she couldn’t handle Pragya! And drunk Pragya… god knows what would happen to her!

Bulbul rushed her aside and gave her a glass of water. After handing the glass back, Pragya blinked her eyes, opening it widely again.

“Man? How do you even think of drinking it?” she said sighing. When everybody returned to their works, as the hall turned back to silence, muffled sounds of laughter started echoing in the room.

Pragya searched the hall looking for its source. And her eyes narrowed as she saw the sight in front of her.

Abhi sat in the corner, clutching his stomach, as he shook uncontrollably with laughter. “Oh. Oh. Oh my god. Ha ha ha… I can’t… oh please someone help…” Abhi said his voice interrupted by laughs.

Purab ran to Abhi and stroking his back he tried to calm him down. But Abhi wasn’t listening… “Oh, Purab… did you see that? Fuggi… Fuggi… understand why I call her balloon? Ha-ha… she was about to puke!!! Oh my goodness…ha ha” Abhi broke again with laughter.

Pragya stared at him at if she could kill him the moment. She crossed her arms and her eyes narrower than ever, shot out scathing looks.

After some two minutes, Abhi’s laughter died. Slowly, helping himself, he got up still clutching his stomach. And still smiling he looked at Purab who was giving him pitied looks.

Why is he worrying now? After all it was funny. Why cannot Purab laugh? First I should teach him to enjoy life. He just forgot how to, after confessing to Bulbul… ok, no offense Bulbul…

Confused of Purab’s stupid behaviour, Abhi turned around. Beside Purab, Bulbul was also giving him the same looks.

Well, if Purab’s forgot its fine…what happened to Bulbul now? What’s wrong with people here?

Well, Abhi’s answer was waiting for him. “Someone please give me water” he said as he turned to Purab. Miraculously it appeared from nowhere. Abhi thanked the person and when he turned to them, he choked.

Coughing as his throat betrayed him, Abhi tried not to spit the water he had just sipped.

“Want help?” Pragya asked coming near, her voice dangerously polite.

“N-no t-thanks” Abhi stuttered as he placed the glass near. He reached to Purab for help. And dear Purab looked everywhere but him!

Betrayer! Betrayer! Betrayer!

Abhi’s heart screamed.

Purab decided to take no notice of him. Scratching his head, he turned to his bee-bee. “Bee-bee… How is the gift I gave you? Did you like it?” and soon the both were out of sight.

Abhi turned back to Pragya who was inviting him for a battle. Gulping, he walked to her.

“I… am really sorry Fuggi” Abhi started only to earn a glare from her.

Stupid

Slapping himself mentally, he started again. “I am really sorry Pragya. That was actually funny. I never saw a candid you. That’s why I was a little too much excited. That wasn’t my mistake. Who asked you to always portray the well polished super smooth cute balloon image? When I saw how natural you really you are, I just got carried away…” Abhi dropped the rest of what was in his mind. He couldn’t even open his mouth in front of Pragya.

Pragya very calmly walked to him. She raised her hand to put it around his shoulders… but he was too big for her. Abhi started smiling again but as he saw her stare, he suddenly bent low… enough for her to reach.

“Good” she replied. “Thank you” Abhi smiled as he, for the first time got Pragya’s compliment.

They both slowly walked out to the lawn behind the hall that was empty.

“So… you try to see me without my knowledge. When you see me you laugh. And then you blame me?” she asked making Abhi pray god for another miracle today.

“Answer me” she demanded.

“Fug…Pragya. I surrender. Peace” Abhi announced.

Pragya stared at him for the while and was about to scream when Abhi suddenly turned his back to her and bent low.

She looked at him wondering what he was up to now.

Maybe… to make fun of me again!

The thought only made her frown. Abhi turned to her.

“Can we have a peaceful talk again?” he asked with his puppy face. Who could tell no?

Pragya agreed and soon they were walking around the lawn just like the previous time, her arms around him in a similar fashion. “Answer me” Pragya asked calmly.

“I didn’t blame you, fug… Pragya… I did not only laugh at you… I told you are cute too… ok ok… stop staring. I only told that I had seen only your silent, simple cute face. I had wondered how you and Bulbul synced… but I didn’t know you really are as natural as anyone can be. I only meant IT and NOTHING ELSE” Abhi answered truthfully.

Pragya thought for a moment. Then she started walking away.

Abhi was left to wonder.

“Mind joining?” she asked Abhi, her back to him.

Though Abhi couldn’t see her face, he could read the smile on it. He happily ran to her.

…………………………………

Hey guys, thanks for reading this… hope it was better than the last one. Sorry if it was boring. Back to back exams only led to my mind numbing. Anyways, will try to give the next one better…

And this may be long too… i just thought to make up for not posting all this while.

Now time to thank… thanks for the comments and likes

Regi: thanks buddy ??

Reshma sis: thanks sissy… it was your birthday yesterday right?… sorry couldn’t wish. belated happy birthday.

Saranya akka: thanks for the comment. and y didn’t u update till now? do it soon. love yo too???

Prathi akka: thanks akka. i think you got your answer. but you will have to wait to know what’s next… will try giving the next soon??

Monesha: hey mone… happy that you are back. thanx for commenting. and fix him was just a great start. post soon. love u too??

And thanks for frankly accepting that u felt it bad too… helps me write better…

Coming back to today’s post, yeah, same thing again. Hope it was good!

One more thing guys… I cannot promise you on the next episode. My practical exams start by next week and then I have written exams. So… if possible, will come up with another one within that… else we will see later.

Anyways, hit the button and drop your views. If you guys feel it can be made better, do inform…

Bub-bye…