"Hey! Why are you up at this hour? Isnt it around 2 a.m. there?"

"Hi Pragya! No, actually it is around 4pm here."

"Where are you Raghav?"

"New Delhi."

"What are you doing in India? I didn't know you were coming."

"Well, had a series of guest lectures to deliver at St. Stephens. So, I extended the trip with a few additional leaves from work. I thought if I was coming all the way here, might as well meet my sister and her family"

"Oh so after the lectures, you will be flying to Bangalore?"

"Oh no. They have moved to Mumbai now."

"Oh, that is great Raghav, you must meet my entire family here too! They would be delighted to meet you. And you will also get to see my niece - I tell you Raghav, she is a darling!" adored Pragya.

"Sure Pragya, I will be in Mumbai in about a weeks' time! I got to go now! Goodbye!"

Pragya hung up and smiled - The world and its ways - she thought amused.

***

It was a late Sunday morning. Sarla was helping Bulbul in bathing little fuggy and daadi had gone to the market to buy vegetables. As Pragya walked into their hall, she saw Purab watching football. Purab turned to see Pragya di, and smiled gravely. He then turned off the television and turned to Pragya.

"Di, are you free for a bit? Can we talk?"

"Sure Purab! Why do you look so grave? What is it?" asked Pragya as she joined him in the couch opposite.

"Di, I was just wondering, what if ----- what if I had never approached Bulbul ever?"

"What do you mean Purab?" asked Pragya uncertainly.

"Di, I mean, around the time I met Bulbul, I was already engaged to Aaliyah right? I knew I didn't love Aaliyah, but since I was engaged, what if I never told Bulbul about my feelings and had let her go without giving us a chance? What do you think would have happened?"

"Purab, why are you having such strange notions? Is everything okay between you and Bulbul?" asked a worried Pragya now.

"No no di, everything is fine. Just meddling with a situation in mind. What would have happened according to you di?"

"Purab had you let the love of your life pass without ever trying, you would regret all your life wondering why did you not give yourself that one chance which could change your story forever" mumbled Pragya lost in thoughts.

"Thank God di, I gave myself that chance. Turns out my happiness was just that one chance away from me. And you di?"

"What about me Purab?"

"What about your happiness di? What if even that is just one attempt away from you? Would you never extend you hand because of your past?"

"Purab I really don't know where this conversation is going, let me see what is there to make for lunch in the ---"

"No di, please sit here and listen! Abhi was a mistake in your life - a mistake that you have erased. You are halfway through - now why keep your life as a blank sheet? Take the next step di, open up for heart di, add colour to this paper. If you think I was right in giving my life a chance, even when my choice could temporarily dampen some else's happiness, then why is it wrong for you to give life a chance? Love a chance? When your choice wouldn't detrimentally affect anyone!"

Before Pragya could respond, thankfully the doorbell rang and Pragya hurried to open the door and escape the conversation. Off late, when it came to listening to someone's suggestion about her life, Pragya always preferred Sarla and Bulbul's - not because they were her mother and sister, but simply because, they would base their arguments on emotional rantings - it was so much easier to play around with words until they gave up. But Purab was smart, he based his suggestions on logical reasoning. Pragya always ended up buying his logic and then it was difficult to fend off his advice. He was right - after all only when he gave himself a chance did he find happiness - but she...? As she opened the main door expecting here daadi, Abhi walked in and greeted her.

As Abhi walked into the hall to greet the tensed and hunched form of Purab, he sensed something serious here.

"Hey Purab, why so tensed? What's up?"

"Nothing bhai, was just -------" but before he could finish, Pragya walked back inside and asked if Abhi wanted coffee, to which he refused and gestured her to join them. It was when a brilliant idea struck Purab. As he sat up to set his plan in action, he already knew he had won.

"Hey bhai did you follow the final fifteen minutes of the match? What were the final scores?"

"Yeah followed in the car radio, 2-0. ManU won. Why didn't you follow, you were at home right?"

"No, actually I was having this important discussion with di here?" said Purab casually and stole a glance at Pragya di. Yes, she was visibly irked.

"Oh, what were you discussing over watching a ManU-Chelsea match?" asked Abhi curiously.

"Aha" thought Purab. "Nothing, I was just asking her about her marriage plans"

"Marriage plans?" repeated Abhi blanky.

"Yeah, as in if she is okay with the idea, then we will start looking"

"And has she agreed?" asked Abhi wth a crooked smile looking at Pragya.

"Not really bhai, I could do with a little bit of help in convincing her" added Purab earning a hard look from Pragya.

"Really Pragya, eventually everyone needs a "someone" to settle down with. Even I have sort of liked someone from my daadi's choice of girls. It's time you weighed your options with someone" finished Abhi.

"Really Bhai? You chose someone? Congratulations bhai! I am so happy for you!"

"Congratulations Abhi! I am very happy for you and daadi both!" smiled Pragya warmly, just that there was some insulation issues in her body, the warmth didn't reach her heart.

That night when Pragya was introspecting, she found herself already convinced to give her life a chance. But how was she so convinced she questioned herself. Was it because Purab's explanation had appealed to her logical senses, or because Abhi felt it was the right thing to do too? No! Abhi or his choice of wife had nothing to do with the idea that was slowly revolving in her head tonight. In solidarity she thought it's a good idea. She took her phone and sent a text message.

"Hi Raghav, when are you reaching Mumbai?"

"Hey Pragya J Already in Mumbai, my last lecture got cancelled, flew down today evening. Was going to call you tomorrow"

"Great, let's meet tomorrow? Have you tried the paanipuri here J ?"

"Gol gappas you mean? Well not yet, why do you ask?"

"Not Golgappas Raghav! PAANIPURI, it will turn you into a Mumbai-shipper for life! I will introduce you to them tomorrow! Goodnight!"

***

"How is your sister and brother-in-law doing?"

"Oh great! In fact my brother-in-law has just started a new business that is flourishing too"

"Hmm...Didn't get the marriage talk yet?" laughed Pragya

"Not as yet, just landed yesterday so. I am expecting it tonight!" chuckled Raghav. "You seem to have had an overload of it?"

"Well overload no, discussion yes."

"Any plans of getting hitched? Have they chosen someone?" asked Raghav curiously

"No no, nothing like that, in fact they want me to agree first"

"I can see that you are almost convinced considering there is no outrage in your eyes at their thought. Should I be hopeful?"

"Raghav!" laughed Pragya!

"Well, you know, it will be a pleasant surprise for didi tonight, if, after dinner it is I who bring up the marriage topic rather than her!" laughed Raghav.

"I don't know Raghav, a part of me thinks they are right. Maybe I have been too harsh on myself in my attempt to remove the past from my life. In the process not only have I erased my past, but also my emotions, my soul, me. I want to find my own self Raghav, but I fear, with my old self will come the old pain. I can't risk that"

"Then don't go running after your old self at all! Let happiness touch you right here in the present. That will teach your heart to beat once again, you don't need to risk anything from the past" smiled Raghav.

***

Abhi's daadi had invited Pragya for dinner that night. Pragya had reluctantly agreed. She knew daadi wanted to personally tell her that Abhi had chosen someone. It was daadi's way of helping her cope with it - poor delusional daadi smiled Pragya, only if she knew how less Abhi's marriage meant to her. Yes, there was this tiny spec of a hole in her heart again, it has formed newly, but it was so small that it could be neglected. And it had nothing to do with Abhi's wedding of course. It had everything to do with her coming to accepting the decision of giving her life a new chance - it was fear of the unknown that ripped her heart a little nothing/no one else!

Abhi was there for dinner too. As she, daadi and Abhi sat in the hall (Aaliyah was still at work), they chatted about very many things. It was a pleasant evening. Abhi was most of the time laughing and making fun of the girls from daadi's list - how they reacted when they knew they were being coupled with Abhi the rockstar - all of them laughed. At one point daadi told Pragya with a heavy heart that Abhi had chosen a girl for marriage and she approved of her - daadi looked guilty, but Pragya went close to her and hugged her and told her that she truly was happy for them - but something felt odd inside her. She felt like that tiny rupture in her heart and ripped open a little more. Slightly more, but more. Then she turned to Abhi and to lighten the mood told him that she would love to meet his finace someday - she had only said this to make daadi realize that she had moved on and hence daadi shouldn't be guilty - but her plan backfired on her! On hearing what she told Abhi. A delighted Daadi announced that she dearly wished for Pragya to meet Samaira, so she had invited her for dinner too! As Pragya smiled at the news, she caught Abhi stealing cautious glances at her. She ignored it - she had a greater deal to worry about right then- her fast developing irrational dislike towards this girl Samaira - who she hadn't even met yet.

As Abhi stared at the joyfully laughing expression of Pragya, just moments after she came to know that she was going to meet his fianc soon. He felt odd. He felt the same way the other day at Purab's too. That morning after agreeing to marry Samaira, the first thing Abhi did was that he drove to Purab's. He wanted to share the news with him? Because he was his best friend? Of course, but she happened to be there too, and she heard. Abhi had expected her smile to falter for a bit, well at least looked surprised? But she had only smiled broadly at him and told him how happy she was for him. He had moved on in life and decided to find happiness holding Samaira's hand, even Pragya had moved on - so it was but natural that she would be happy for him, they were friends now. But he expected her to be slightly upset? He had then rebuked himself for being a sadist. In fact that very day he had even advised her to give her life a chance with another man. He didn't know why, but even as he said it, he had only said it half-heartedly - a part of his pathetic being still wasn't sure how he would like it if Pragya actually listened. He had advised her with a security in mind that she wouldn't agree. Then of course the matter had taken a backseat in his mind. But today again when Pragya's expressions were steadily happy and annoyingly normal, the former uneasiness was back. Did she really not care? Of course she shouldn't, in fact even he wanted her to move on in life now and find happiness - but what was this annoying feeling inside him then?

It was just before dinner that Samaira entered the Mehra Mansion. She was a lady of tall frame. She was fair and had beautiful eyes. Her straight long hair fell to her waist. She was wearing a casual white dress with flower prints on it. She had a leather clutch in her hand and she was wearing simple flats. Something about her appearance made her look very confident, positive and friendly. But even with so many good signs coming from her, Pragya felt a coldness towards her. As she walked in, Abhi slowly went and stood next to her and held her waist and brought her forward for introduction. But the moment, he held her waist and pulled her closer, even though Pragya could see he had done it more out of custom than romance - Pragya had the ugliest dejavu she had in all these four years - Suddenly those long blocked memories came gushing back to her, as if someone had broken open those closed doors. The memory of her first wedding night when she found Abhi at Tanu's, the numerous nights that followed when he had shoved Tanu on her face similarly, by pulling her close to him - just like that. She needed to focus, as she saw Samaira went ahead to touch daadi's feet. She knew she had to regain composure before the girl returned. She finally managed to hold back those memories and push them at the back of her head to deal with later, for now she had to act.

Abhi had noticed the change in Pragya's face that had lasted for a fraction of a second. The momentary terror he saw in her eyes made him reflexively take his hands off Samaira. As much as he hated to admit it, but there was a sweet pleasure in seeing that momentarily tortured face. Did it mean? What the hell was he thinking? He and Pragya and clearly drawn the borderline of their current relation - it was friendship - it was disgusting that he dared to take it otherwise when he was the one who had advised her to remarry and find happiness only a few days back! But he couldn't ignore that expression, It took him back to a long forgotten past, where he had held Tanu similarly and flaunted before Pragya - was she remembering the same things? Did it hurt her this bad even now? His thoughts were interrupted by Samaira who after touching daadi's feet had come back to her former position of standing next to Abhi. He heard daadi asking him to introduce Pragya to Samaira. Abhi began mechanically.

"Pragya, this is Samaira - Advocate Samaira Mittal, my..uhh my finace" Samaira smiled at Pragya and she returned the smile half heartedly.

"And Samaira, meet Pragya, Dr. Pragya Mehra my..my dear friend" as he finished, he didn't realize why, but he saw Pragya's smile freeze briefly. He even heard a low sigh from daadi and turned to look at a mildly confused Samaira.

As Pragya stared at Abhi, she could swear that damn hollow in her heart was tearing up further! She coughed unnecessarily for once and went on to make rectifications. "Dr. Pragya Arora, he meant, Samaira" - as Samaira understood the significance of the alteration, she uncertainly looked at an apologetic Abhi - Even though she hated herself for it, but that faltering look of Samaira's when she realized, Abhi used his own surname after Pragya's name, gave Pragya infinite joy. It was like a sooting balm to the hollow she felt inside. She loathed herself that moment - she was becoming like the woman she once hated so much - Tanu. As Pragya shook herself back to reality, a decision had formed in her subconscious mind, but for now she walked with the rest of them to the dining table for dinner.

The mood during dinner was light again. Even if Samaira had held Abhi's mistake to heart, she was doing a commendable job of hiding it. She was friendly and cordial towards Pragya and Pragya liked her. Even though she internally hated herself for liking her (and she rebuked herself for hating the fact that she liked her), she still did like her. Abhi had finally made a good choice. They were talking about movies, music, their works and sundry things.

"Hey Pragya, tomorrow I am going to meet one of Samaira's friends. We three would then go for a movie, why don't you join us?" asked Abhi casually, hoping against hope that he really meant it casually and not otherwise.

"No Abhi, I am meeting Raghav tomorrow, you guys carry on."

Who was this Raghav thought Abhi poccessively, "He is a friend of yours? Well then bring him too! We won't mind at all!"

"No, it's okay, you guys carry on we have some plans" piped Pragya quickly. The idea of Abhi, Samaira, Raghav and Pragya hanging out felt bizzare to her.

"Abhi, can't you see, even though we won't mind, Pragya and Raghav definitely will! Look at her blushing! Why ruin their private plans?" winked Samaira good naturedly.

Even though whatever she said was all meant in good humour, the statement blew all the air out of Abhi's lungs at once! Suddenly he was feeling very suffocated at his own home. He realized he had stopped breathing. He was still staring hard at Pragya to negate Samaira. But all she did was a very unconvincing "dhat" and focused on the food in her plate. What made it worse was when he looked at daadi and saw that "I can read your heart my child" sort of smile on her face.

The rest of dinner went comparatively silently. Both Abhi and Pragya avoided talking directly to each other for the rest of the time. They spoke to both daadi and Samaira but never directly to each other.

***

The next morning Pragya woke up early, took a shower and came down to the Khanna's hall. Everyone was present there. Daadi was playing with fuggy, Sarla ma and Bulbul were sipping tea, and Purab was watching the news. She came to the center of the room and addressed to Sarla, but everyone looked at her.

"Ma, I have decided to give my life another chance. I am ready for marriage. Raghav and his sister would visit you today with his rishta" whispered Pragya and let out a sigh.

For a moment everyone was stunned. It was Purab who broke the stunned silence. He rushed to Pragya and hugged her tightly. "I knew it di! I knew you would see sense in what I said. Many many congratulations to you di!"

Next in line was Bulbul, who squealed so loudly that poor fuggy got scared and started crying! "Di I am so so so happy for you! I love you di! Wow! Raghav and you! Mrs. Pragya Raghav Chopra!"

Her mother and daadi just hugged her close and smiled at her decision. Finally after such a long time, both the Arora sister's will find happiness! Just then the doorbell rang and Purab went to get it. Sarla and daadi were hugging and congratulating each other and Bulbul was teasing Pragya.

"So, what snacks shall we prepare for the evening di? What kind of snacks does Raghav like Mrs. Chopra?"

"Mrs. Chopra?" repeated Abhi as he walked in with Purab from the door. Bulbul just went ahead and hugged Abhi first before saying,

"Yes Abhi, our soon to be Mrs. Chopra. - Mrs. Pragya Raghav Chopra! Di has agreed for the marriage!"