Sweet Tidings

Chapter 4

Don't be too optimistic. The light at the end of the tunnel may be another train.

 Unknown quotes 

The light at the end of the tunnel may be dark, it's up to you to make it brighter - you have to help yourself and your goals first, before God can help you.

 Jasmina Siderovski

It's past 7 pm, the sun has set and only light orange rays can be seen. Darkness is about to descend the Mumbai residents. Darkness of the night that brings out different characters to the forefront. Everyone with the own desires and wishes. Is there anyone looking out for others... oh yes! Husband looks out for wife, parents look out for children, friends look out for friends and siblings with all the rivalry always keep watch on the other siblings. Raksha bandan ensures the sisters wellbeing is taken care by the bhaiya. Arjun, the brother who was not from her khoon but no one could have a better brother. He sat patiently through out Pragya's narration, there was no judgment or advice. He just listened. Pragya started the story with lots of confidence, then, without her realizing it, she started to tear up and she ended the full story of the debacle called marriage by sobbing her misery out. Arjun had to let her spit the venom out. Hence, his kamoshi. Any interference from him, Pragya would have found reasons to justify Abhi's act, Alliya's thoughts, Sarla ma's need...etc, everyone except herself.

Bhaiya, I did the saat phera with Abhi. I went into this marriage with my eyes open. I will honour the marriage vows. I need you to understand that, please don't go after Abhi. You have to promise. Mere khathir.

Pragya, I love you like a sister. I messed up with Amrita, I couldn't save her. I can't go through loosing you. You have to trust me that I will not do anything to endanger you but I can't see you being mistreated. But bhaiya, with Bulbul's situation, Sarla ma would break into piece, please bhaiya. Ok, my choti se behen, I will not confront Abhi but he needs to be within his limits. I need you to promise me that you would not divulge our relationship background to Abhi. Why Arjun? I have explained everything to Daddi, why not Abhi?' Leave Daddi to me, just don't say anything about us to Abhi. Isn't that possible for your bhaiya's sake? Don't ask any questions now. It's past 7 pm. Let's make a move.

Arjun stops the car at the entrance of Mehra mansion. Tannu and Alliya are just walking into the house. Where is Abhi? He didn't come over to meet me and he is not answering his phone. Do you think he is with the Chasmish? Who are you referring to as Chasmish, Tannu? Arjun poses the question to Tannu. Both Tannu and Alliya are shocked. Both start stammering. No Arjun, it's just our way of addressing... Whom, Alliya? I hope you are not referring to Pragya? She is your bhabi and I sincerely hope the sanskar Daddi taught you, has not been forgotten. Do you need a lesson? I'll be more than happy to teach you. Arjun growled at the young ladies. No bhaiya. You got me wrong. Have you eaten? Are you dropping bhabi... Alliya started blabbering to distract Arjun. Anyway Alliya, I wanted to know what was all the drama with Bulbul's purse when the ring was found in Tannu's clutch. No bhaiya, I just got worried because the ring was not found and Bulbul's purse was the last one checked...I just assumed.... You know what people say about assumption, right Alliya...I want you to go to Sarla ma's house tomorrow and apologies to Bulbul and Sarla ma. If you want moral support, I'll accompany you tomorrow. Arjun threw the gunlet at Alliya. She just nodded her head. Arjun left whistling, while the 3 ladies had 3 different emotions on their faces.

Pragya went up to her room to freshen up. The room was in darkness. Andhera. It was as if the light, the essence of the room had been taken out. She felt creepy; she was about to switch on the light when she heard a groan. Pragya nearly screamed when she heard Abhi requesting her not to switch on the light. Kyu? Are you ok? Pragya switches on the balcony light, so that some lighting would be shone into the room. She saw Abhi semi lying on the bed, with his eyes closed and a tight squirm around his eyes. What's wrong with you? Must be hangover? Did you drink during the day time? I know you are a rock star but must you take alcohol during day time. It's seriously bad for health. Bas! Bandh karo tumara lecture. I have not touched a drop of alcohol through out today. I have a stinking headache'. Pragya took out 2 aspirin tablets and handed over to Abhi with a glass of water. He was about to take it, when...have you eaten? No. Took breakfast. That's it'. Without food you can't take the tablets. I'll get you some light khana. Pragya is about to go but Abhi stops her. Leave it, I can't take food. Don't feel like it. How can you behave like a child? Without food, your headache is not going to go off and you can't take tablets. I don't want you to go down and make daddi worried. So, no food. Abhi snaps. While Abhi was practically shouting, Pragya had made a cup of chocolate drink using the water kettle in the room. Drink this. Don't worry it's not poison. Only chocolate malt. Tomorrow morning, you can work out double times to burn the sugar. Your 6 packs is safe Pragya pushes the cup into Abhi's hand and looks over at him like a school headmistress. Sure ma'am. I will obey all your hukum Abhi meekly takes the drink and makes a yucky face at the chocolate drink.

Pragya changes into her night dress and walks into the room. Again,  the room is in darkness. She switches on the night lamp and walks towards Abhi's bed. Please take these aspirin tablets. Abhi swallows down the tablets and squirms at the light. Move over, I'll apply balm on your forehead. Abhi allows her space without uttering a single word. Pragya applies balm on his forehead and starts massaging his head. It was such a relief for Abhi. Ever since he returned home, he had been trying his best to look at each of the scenarios with open mind. He wanted to find solutions. At every turn, he ended up with a closed door. The tunnel seemed to be endless. He could not see the light. It was really exhausting. Pragya's fingers had jadoo. He could feel his tension slowly leaving him. He raised his head, opened his eyes and looked into Chasmish's eyes. He took off her glasses and stared directly into her almond shaped eyes. His fingers automatically went to trace her eyebrows. Her eyelashes are long and curly. He wanted to voice out his new found realization but Pragya cut him off. Shuu...lie down. You need to rest. He slowly lowered his head to her laps and closed his eyes again. For a few minutes Pragya seemed frozen, then, her hands started to rhythmically massage his head again.

Pragya was shocked when Abhi had traced her eyebrows and looked deeply into the eyes. She felt a jolt. His touch was so soft. Not the normal way he manhandles her. It was soft and had a kind of tenderness to it. Abhi... tenderness? That's so far fetched. But today Abhi had looked so lost when she entered the room. She looked at this closed eyes and the look of contentment on his face. She kept massaging his head. Without her realizing it, her fingers started to inch towards his shoulders and arms. They felt so tight. His muscles were all tightly coiled up. She slowly pushed him to the bed, he started grumbling. Shuu...I need to massage your shoulders, if not tomorrow you might have a migraine. He unbuttons his shirt and asks Pragya to take it off. No, no.. you can keep your shirt on. Pragya, you have seen me shirtless before. It would be easier for you to massage my shoulder without my shirt. Is this guy crazy, me, touching his skin. Oh! Baba raksha karo! Pragya with jittering fingers starts to apply balm on his shoulders and slowly the massaging commences. Abhi has strong muscles. His shoulders are tough. Gosh! The 6 packs are true muscles. No wonder the girls go ga-ga on him. Pragya thinks to herself. Abhi turns his head towards Pragya, he could see the hint of trepidation in her eyes. It would have been gratifying if he wasn't so painfully aroused. When Pragya had turned him over and stated that she had to massage his shoulder. He nearly swallowed his tongue. Just to see to which extent she would go, he had taken off his shirt.

This was pure torture for Abhi. Pragya had aligned herself to Abhi's lying form to massage his shoulders correctly. All Abhi's senses went on hype alert when those long, caressing fingers started to stroke him. She was taking him to heaven. No, to purgatory.  With fingers that fluttered tentatively, then grasped firmly as they molded and explored. Each harsh breath created friction that sharpened his tension, and when she had her hand on the top part of his body... he had to swallow his gasp. His hearing was clogged with his pounding heartbeat. Her innocent fingers twitched around his left shoulder muscles and his breath seared from his lungs. It was too much for him to bear. He was about to turn when abruptly, she stopped her ministration.

What? Why did you stop? He growled, his voice a guttural whisper. Your face is all twisted up. Your eyes muscles look all squirmed up. I think my massage is not doing you any good. Shall I call Dadi, she might have a better method. Dadi! Are you crazy Chasmish. At this hour. Just continue, with the massage. I'll be fine. Abhi fumes. If Dadi walks in now, she would catch what's going on. His Chasmish was really siddhi saddhi. Abhi turns and presses his head into his pillow. Ok, I'll continue, let me dim the lights. It might make you feel better. Arre! Meri Ma. Go on and please continue. Pragya walks to the lights panel to dim the lights and reduce the air-conditioning. Abhi was shirtless, she didn't want him to catch a cold.