Pranbir Short Story Collection

Tender Loving Care

[So, I was thinking of uploading on Monday but @candy54789 and @123khushiiiii these two gold medalist in blackmailing, blackmailed me. So I am updating today. LOL]

[@KheyaliSarkar asked me to write a story where Prachi takes care of Ranbir and exerts right over him. So I have tried to pen down something like that. I am dedicating this to her. Hope you like it]

Prachi was standing immobile by the window, lost in conflicting thoughts. The look of the damned she had witnessed in Ranbir's eyes was still haunting her. That tortured look in his eyes was quite nightmarish.

Could he have been so affected by her supposed betrayal? Was he that hurt that she apparently believed Maya over him in the molestation case and testified against him? But why? The hurt in his eyes was more than that caused by the betrayal of a friend, even a good one.

The melodious ringtone of her phone brought her out of her musings. Sighing, she walked over to the phone and picked it up. She swallowed hard seeing Ranbir's name flashing on the screen. Yes, she was anxious to talk to him but now that he called a strange nervousness tightened its grip over her.

However, thinking it was better to get it over with, Prachi accepted the call. Before she could say anything a harsh voice stopped her words in her throat.

"Are you Prachi?" The voice growled in her ear

"Yes, I am. Who are you? And where is Ranbir?" Prachi frowned in confusion at the stranger's voice.

"Ma'm I am calling from Diamond Bar. We are closing for the night. But this man is dead drunk and is hell bent on having more alcohol. He is just not ready to leave. By his clothes and appearance, he appeared to be from a respectable background. That's why we haven't thrown him out till now. But this can't go on. If he doesn't leave soon, we will have to call the guards on him. And since you are the last person he had called, I am informing you about it." The gruff voice finished.

Anguish and anxiety washed over her. Prachi sat back down on the bed after assuring the man to wait till her arrival and that she would come as soon as possible. Her hands were clammy. She broke out in a cold sweat at the very thought of his condition.

"Oh God! What have I done?" Prachi pressed her trembling fingers to her mouth.

She should have told him the truth. But she hadn't thought that it would have such a disastrous effect on him. However, there was no time to ponder on what she should have done. At the moment Ranbir needed her the most.

As soon as this thought flitted across her mind, she got to his feet and was soon on her way out.

She hailed a cab and was on her way to the bar as soon as she could.

Within 15 minutes the cab drew to a halt in front of the bar. As soon as the car stopped moving Prachi was out of it.

"Are you sure you want to go in there, betaji?" The Punjabi cab driver looked at her with so much concern.

"I don't want to. But I have to, Sardarji. Please stay here. I will return in your cab. If I don't return within 15 minutes, please call the cops." Prachi gave him a nervous smile.

Turning on her heels, she strode off towards the bar after the cab driver assured her that he would follow her every instruction.

Prachi swallowed hard as she reached the entrance, her courage failing her. However, as she recalled every single moment when Ranbir stood up for her, sometimes against friends and sometimes against the society and even those he knew from childhood, a strange sense of purpose settled over her.

Pushing the door open, she stepped inside the dimly lit area. Almost all the seats were vacant and the waiters were clearing up after the patrons. Her eyes searched for a particular person and soon she found him in the farthest corner of the room.