GAMBLE OF FLAMES

TRAILER

"V" Abhigna whispered

"Hmm?" He hummed removing his spectacles

"I want to say something" Abhigna fiddled with her fingers

"Yeah, say" He closed his work file

"Woh na........ bohot zyada kam baki hai?" She asked hesitantly

His brows furrowed hearing her as she was never involved in his business matters.

Nonetheless he replied, "Not much"

"Then.......umm... if you don't mind can you please move to our bedroom. I am not getting sleep without...." Abhigna said

He leaned back in his majestic leather chair and stared at her in amusement. His face had no expression. He clearly knows that she wants him near her in the bedroom.

She was nervous as she had no idea about his upcoming reply, whether he would accept or deny. It has been her habit which she despised earlier but now desperately looks forward to being a part of it.

He zeroed his gaze at her. Without averting his gaze from her face, he picked a pen and signed the document he was reading.

Abhigna pulled her lower lips between her teeth and slowly turned around to leave the room.

She made the bed and slept on it, meanwhile he performed his part of the night routine which included bringing water from the kitchen and switching off the lights.

He slept on his side and Abhigna made sure both are well covered under the quilt. Both of them were staring at the ceiling. Sleep was far away from their eyes.

They had a distant past with a hesitant present.

"V" he called

"Hmm?" Abhigna responded

"Care to go on a long drive? I am not feeling sleepy" he asked

"Will it be fine if I don't change my current attire?"

"Everything is fine till you are fine" he whispered while caressing her cheek

He leaned forward to kiss her, Abhigna closed her eyes tightly while clutching her pyjama in a tight fist.

This didn't go unnoticed by his sharp brown orbs. His heart constricted knowing she hadn't accepted him yet. His still lean forward and pecked her forehead.

NEXT MORNING

Ring....Ring....Ring

Abhigna groaned in her sleep but when the ring didn't end shortly, she pulled the comforter down and searched for his phone. The caller called twice by now and this is the third time it's ringing.

After finding his phone, she searched for him.
Her eyes directed towards the balcony whose curtains were flying inwards due to the soothing breeze.

She hastily moved to the balcony and found him engrossed in planting.
Hearing his ringtone he turned around. Looking at Abhigna he gave her a small smile and showed his soiled hands.

Abhigna walked closer to him and placed her face on his broadened back. While he continued planting the sapling in the pot.

She picked the call and put the phone on speaker, least interested in the caller and impatient to get back on the bed.

"Hello" he answered

But what happened next, deprived her of the sleep and his body too turned stiff.

"Hello Bhai sa?" The caller responded

"Bhai sa, can you hear me?" The voice brought both to their tragic reality.

"Uh-huh! Yeah, I can hear you" he replied

"I am coming tomorrow. I will be there by late afternoon. I am really nervous. Do you think everything will be fine? Will they accept it? Aaaahhh I am hell scared"

He chuckled lowly and replied "you know you always have me, right? Anything happens am there with you, don't stress yourself"

"Was longing to hear just this. Am feeling energized and confident now. You have this magic in you to uplift the mood of anyone at anytime. You are the best. Anyways, Bhai sa will call you later"

"Hmm" he replied and the call ended.

He didn't dare to turn back. He wasn't willing to look at Abhigna who has goosebumps all over her body and betrayal in her eyes. He can feel her condition just by looking at her shivering palm and her fingers gripping the phone rigidly.

"You knew?" She whispered

"Since the very beginning" he replied with honesty