AbihGya SS ~ Frozen

Chapter 10: Frozen Forever - Rekindling Passion - Part 2

(This part has SLIGHT matured content. Please be advised to read at your own discretion)

I sat in my bedroom, humming an unknown tune. I was lost in introspection. Bits of my conversation I had some time back with daadi floated in my mind.

"Abhi puttar, you know, I don't like beating around the bush - I will ask you this straight up front - do you like my Pragya?" she asked me sternly.

My immediate answer was yes, and it was just about to slip out of my mouth, when I stopped. My promise to Pragya made me stop - she was here at my house only after I had promised I wouldn't bring this topic up - ever. Now, if her departure was inevitable then I didn't want to break my promise at the fag end - that to for nothing.

"Daadi, please don't get so hyper, Purab is handling his aunt nah? Let him come back and talk to us once - I am sure he will convince his aunt. And maybe then Pragya won't leave?" I mouthed my hope uncertainly.

She stared at me sceptically, "So you don't like her" she responded conclusively. My entire being revolted at that statement, but I control the urge to explain things to daadi otherwise. I kept mum, and daadi took my response in affirmative.

"It's okay Abhi puttar, I understand - just because Aalu and I love and adore her, we cannot push our feelings on you, after all it is your life. It's perfectly okay if you see her just as a good friend. I always wished that you both got together - ever since I saw my Pragya - I knew she was perfect for us all. But I cannot push my certainty on to you beta, that I know. I know that you don't want to settle down in life with anyone - I hate that - but I have learnt to accept that choice of yours. Under such circumstances, when Pragya came home and fulfilled all the duties of being a Mehra bahu, somewhere I had started seeing her as one - I forgot, she has a life too. Puttar, I got selfish in happiness, I apologize for it - and it is my selfishness that stemmed out this embarrassment for my Pragya today. Will you help me rectify it?" daadi sounded deeply guilty and not to mention broken, my heart went out for my grandmother, I could never see her that way.

"Daadi, please stop blaming yourself. Pragya is such a girl - it is very difficult to not get oneself attached with her." I wanted to say more, like how I loved her for the same quality, but I refrained. I was willing to honour my promise to Pragya at any cost. Instead, I asked, "Daadi, how do you want to rectify things? Tell me, I promise to help you"

"Abhi puttar, look for a groom for my Pragya - I want to get her married. Marrying her to a good man will give me as much peace as I got when I married off my little Aalu" she whispered.

"Marriage?" I repeated scandalized. What had I got myself into? Not getting to be with Pragya was one thing, but seeing her go to someone else? Was I ready for that? I stared at daadi's questioning gaze - I failed to form words. After hopelessly gulping air for a while, I stammered, "Daadi, Pragya doesn't want to get married"

"You don't worry about that, convincing her is my job. You just need to find me a good groom for her. Can you do that?" I couldn't think of an apt response, instead I gave her a weak nod. She smiled satisfied. "Now, my Pragya will leave this house only when she is married." Then she walked away.

***

I still hadn't quite digested what daadi just told me. I had to find a groom for Pragya? The Pragya I have loved so immensely? How would daadi convince her to marry someone? If daadi did convince her, would that mean, she would start falling in love with this new man? Could she? As I was going through an uncomfortable patch of jealous pangs, I couldn't sit still any longer - I could sense my aggression take over my jealousy - I smashed a few items that were on display on my bed-side table. I was still not feeling better, I got up and shoved off the pillows and the duvet from my bed to the floor. That was when I heard a soft voice from the door.