WATER

The entire Mehra-Kohli clan was having tea in the backyard. They had returned the same morning and were filling in the youngsters with what the area around the ancient temple was. And the seven were listening to every single word, painting an imaginary picture in their minds. The elders were merrily unaware of the drabble the twins had had the previous day. Prachi and Rhea were avoiding each other like plague, and both seemed to be quite happy by the reciprocated behavior by the other.

"Prachi, you would have loved the lake near the temple." Pragya said, addressing her daughter, knowing that she likes the village culture and natural surrounding.

"Yeah, anyone would have, it was so beautiful and calm." Vikram added, "In the valley of mountains."

"Arey, it was nothing, it looks even more enchanting in winters, covered by fog, sun shining in the morning." Dasi informed, remembering the various visits she had paid to the place. Prachi smiled and made her way inside the house to bring some snacks from the kitchen.

"Pity, you guys couldn't come." Abhi teased the children that were left behind.

"Only if you guys were married..." Purab joined, sending hints towards Arhana, who were totally oblivious to their own feelings.

"Good idea," Pallavi said, looking towards Abhi and Pragya, "Actually, I was thinking Abhi, Pragya ji, why don't you look for an alliance for Prachi? After all she is elder than Rhea, and even Rhea is getting married to Ranbir. So why not Prachi? I have a few eligible boys in knowledge, if you agree I can suggest."

Ranbir looked at his mother wide eyes and then over to his father, who had a similar to his expression. Even his father was unknown to the new wild idea Pallavi had just enlightened everyone with. He then turned his gaze to his best friend, who had his mouth agape.

Fear clenched his heart when he did not heard a negative response from the girl's parents. He stared at Abhi and Pragya who were looking at each other, having a conversation through eyes.

What if they agreed? Prachi had already left Pragya Aunty in charge of her marriage. What if they decided that it would be good. No. Prachi can't be married. Se would never say yes. But what if she did. God knows that girl can do any thing for her parents.

He prayed to his stars for this to not happen. And heaved a relaxed sigh when he heard Pragya's reply.

"We don't think so Pallavi ji." Pragya denied. "Prachi may be elder than Rhea, but that is just by a minute. And though Prachi had given me full authority to choose a suitable groom for her, I want her to be prepared as well. And she ain't that old yet. Her whole life is waiting ahead of her. I don't want to rush her into marriage." Pragya smiled politely and Pallavi faked one as well, nodding forcefully.

"Don't take wrong but my girls are still young Pallavi." Abhi addressed her, identifying the fake smile. "I'm just letting Rhea getting married because she will be in the same house even after marriage. I've missed twenty precious years of my daughter's life, then two more by not knowing that she is my own blood that I have been craving to meet for so long. It's just been a few months and I can not just send her away again, so soon. I want to spend some time with her, I want to know her and her childhood memories, her likes, dislikes. I need some time."

Ranbir went from there, at ease after the narrow encounter with a rising panic attack, taking a phone call, everyone nodded at Abhi's feelings while Prachi returned, and Rhea gritted her teeth on Abhi's affection being shared.

Rhea stood up abruptly causing Prachi, who was about to cross her, loose her balance and hit Piyush. The glass of juice he was holding tilted to the side and it's content landed directly on Shahana and everyone gasped in surprise. While one gasp was in utter horror.

"Oh no" Piyush whispered but it was audible in the dead silence that was surrounding them now.

The silence was so thick that you can almost hear the breathing of the person standing next to you. Everyone stared at the wide eyed Shahana who was looking down at her now sticky dress, waiting for any response. Shahana slowly lifted her head, a murderous look in her eyes, directed straight at the light, feared, eyed boy.

"Gayi bhains paani main." Aarav said, knowing full well what was about to come, but brought out his phone to record the WW III about to happen, grinning widely.

"It wasn't intentional," Piyush tried to plead for himself, backing away slowly.

Shahana took a step towards him, reaching for the water glass kept on the table, eyes still locked on the backing away boy. Piyush had just turned to run away when Shahana threw the transparent liquid on him. Hitting him right on the back of his head. He stood still, rooted to his spot. The water damping his curly hair and sticking them to his scalp. He turned back, water jug already in hand. His brows furrowed looking at the smirking Shahana and he aimed straight at her.

Shahana had already anticipated his move and took action accordingly. She ducked, and missed the water trail, in the nick of the time. She smiled triumphantly, standing straight, but her expressions changed to confused when she saw everyone looking behind her. She turned around and came face to the prey of the punishment that was aimed at her and her smile changed into a full grin. The grin Aryan sported a few seconds ago was wiped by the dripping water.

Shahana's grin slowly turned into an awed expression as she took in his appearance. His previously well brushed hair sticking in different directions, water dripping from his perfect square jaw. The front of his shirt drenched in water, showcasing his broad, strong shoulders. The small honey specs, she had noticed two days ago, prominent in the sunlight. She was mesmerized by the brown orbs looking at her from the wet, long eyelashes, and she felt heat rise to her cheeks. Shahana averted her gaze as a rosy hue tinted her face and bit on her lower lip.

Aryan was shocked as the water that was suppose to drench Shahana hit him instead. He felt the grin slip his face as he felt water trail down to his torso. He shock turned to pleasure as the girl responsible for it turned around to look at him. She was facing away from him till now so he wasn't able to look at her. She looked at him with a million dollar smile. A small part of the water had landed on her head as she had ducked. The water had caused her hair to be wet and a small trail of water was running down her temple, to jaw, to neck and then disappearing below.

She was staring right into his eyes and he couldn't help but stare back. It was the first time he noticed that there was a small injury mark next to her perfectly arched left eyebrow that she had quirked so many times at his one or other stupid question. He looked at her cheeks which had turned a similar color to her pink kurti that she was wearing. Heaven knows what was going on in her mind and what he wouldn't do to know. She averted her gaze and his mind was diverted when he heard some sniggering. He didn't need to look up to know who it was, as it was almost everyone.

He will have to cover it up quickly or his family would never let it down. But the thin, quivering trail of water on her face was making it difficult for him to think straight.

Hmm..... Water.

He swiftly picked up another jug that Prachi had brought along her and hid it behind his back. "Sahana" He softly said and she looked back up.

"I'm sorry." He said and her face scrunched in confusion.

"Huh? And it's SHahaaa----" but she never got to complete as a lot of ice cold water was dumped upon her.

"Why is this water cold?" She screeched, her eyes closed shut.

"Because it is from the fridge." Prachi suggested innocently.

Everyone turned to her and she smiled sheepishly. Arhana and Piyush shared a look and filled up the empty jugs from the pool. Prachi just looked at them unaware as they did it, but her eyes widened as she registered what will happen ahead. She just backed away slowly as the three moved forward.

"No." She warned. "Please don't." She even pleaded before turning around and sprinting away. All three chasing her closely, followed by the laughter of the family.

Prachi turned back while running, keeping a tab on how closely she was chased, and forced her feet to carry her faster. She bumped and before she could even register what she hit, she was held to her place with her arms safely tucked behind her back with a strong but gentle grasp. Prachi turned her head to side a little to know who was bold enough to take up enmity with her.

"Aarav leave me." She ordered, trying to wriggle out of the grasp.

"That tone in this situation? It doesn't quite match." Aarav tuted, shaking his head in disapproval of her authoritative tone.

"Aarav leave me,.... please?" Prachi asked, trying to get her hands free but his hands were to strong for her to slip out of.

"Doesn't convey the feel, do it?" Aarav asked the three person who were ready with their water vessels.

"Would you please be kind enough to leave my arms, oh generous, mighty Abra?" Prachi mocked, not caring anymore, turning to side slightly to show her mocking expressions to her captor.

"I am impressed, if you leave that mockery out." Aarav said and freed her hands. But it was not the right decision for him as Prachi quickly snatched the jug from Shahana, and in the very next moment, Aarav too was matching the same condition as his brother and her siblings.

"Now you have done it." Aarav said to her running figure, giving her a head start.

All five of them were running in the garden, chasing each other. Abhi and Pragya had also pushed Rhea in the play fight, in hopes that she and Prachi may bond in it. But their hopes were down the drain as the two girls weren't even looking at each other, let alone bond. They were both on different side of the garden, with Rhea near the pool and Prachi next to the door that lead into the house.

To save herself from the gang that had teamed up against her, Prachi picked up the water pipe that lay stray in the garden and pointed it at the others. She smiled wriggling her eyebrows up and down and turned the faucet on, and the rest closed their eyes, waiting for the strong pressure to hit their body. It never came, though instead if the strong water current, another round of loud laughter from the elders, some struggling screams from Prachi and a 'Stop it, face it away, stop it.' was what reached their ears. They followed the last two and the sight in front of them made them join the elders too.

The current was indeed strong, just like they had guessed. But non of them had taken it to be so strong that the fragile strength of Prachi's dainty arms won't be able to control it. Yes, Prachi had faced the three while opening the faucet of the pipe, but in sheer excitement, she had opened it to maximum and the strong water current had turned it's face to the entirely opposite direction. Hitting the innocent, clueless Ranbir, straight in the chest. 

Ranbir who had just entered the garden again, after having a tiring phone call, completely unaware of the chaos that had started in his absence, looked around befuddled. All he witnessed was a sweet laugh as Prachi unscrewed the nob of the pipe she was holding pointed towards Piyush, Arhana and Aarav, that were completely wet for god knows what reason, followed by the laughter change into a shriek as a strong force hit his chest with a cold sensation.

He was being attacked by the cold liquid that was being sprayed by the same equipment that was earlier faced away from him. His hands automatically covered his face, palms out, and he chanted "Stop it, face it away, stop it." On and on.

"Stop it Prachi, turn it off. Prachi turn it off." He gasped, trying to fight of the water current, but only got the reply in form of some more struggling sounds. "It's cOLD." He finally whined as the water stopped. He opened his eyes, his vision slightly blurred by the water, and saw her looking at him with wide open doe eyes. The faucet still dripping a little water. 

His eyes caught sight of her face that slowly broke into a smile, then grin and followed by a sweet pearl of laughter. His face too broke into a large smile as he felt her laughter sending currents of happiness and joy to every fiber of his body. It felt like she was laughing after a long time, which she did, and the reason was him, which he was. Her laughter was automatically rebooting his heart and mind into the careless, naughty and fun loving Ranbir he used to be. 

Seeing her loosing herself in the fits of laughter, he tactfully sneaked the jug that was previously held by Aarav and turned it upside down right on her head. Her laughter subsided as a sharp gasp left her lips and her eyes widened in shock. Her mouth opened as per her jaw will graze the ground.

Ranbir put a hand on top of her head and shook his head in disapproval, "Wasn't that cold." 

Prachi, or everyone for that matters, looked at him as he picked up the water pipe that had left Prachi's hands when she was busy shamelessly, and mesmerizingly, laughing at him. He turned the faucet on and Prachi closed her eyes, preparing herself for the water stream, but it never came. She looked at him, one eye still shut, and saw him frowning at the pipe. The water had not even started, looked like in the hurry of closing it, she had twisted the face of the sprayer with such power that it had jammed. 

She felt another round of fits coming her way and they did. More profound then before. Ranbir threw the pipe down and snatched the second jug from Aryan. But she was attentive this time and sprinted before he could dump another one on her. Ranbir, being the lovesick teen he become around Prachi, started chasing her and was gaining up thanks to his passion of football. 

They were running all around the garden, and the rest had continued among them too, Aryan running behind Shahana and Piyush chasing Aarav, running around the rose bushes. Prachi was casting back glances while running and gradually increasing her speed whenever she saw him catching up.

"See Vikram, Ranbir is really happy with this marriage. I'm sure he will come around slowly." Pallavi whispered to her husband.

Vikram, who was smiling seeing his son back to his playful nature, if only for some time, turned to his wife with a look that screamed disbelief. It was like she had just said that 'Sharks were cuter than Puppies'. 

Maybe it would have been more believable than what she had just said. When will she understand?

"Pallavi, you can't see it or you don't want to se it?" He asked in genuine curiosity.

"See what?" Pallavi asked, offended.

"The Truth. Can't you see that Ranbir's happiness lies within Prachi and no one else." He asked, his face in an unusual scowl.

"Don't start this again Vikram. Ranbir will marry only Rhea and that is final." Pallavi stated not paying any heed to the man's concern towards their son.

"Then Ranbir will never be able to be happy and that, is a Fact." Vikram stated in the same tone.

"Vikram, How could you say this for your own so--" Pallavi asked but was cut off by Dida.

"Shut up you two, you start anywhere and everywhere." Dida scolded them when their voice had started raising out of whispering tone.

"But Mummyji-" 

"I said enough." Dida shut Pallavi up effectively.

Pallavi was shocked to see her M.I.L. in such mood, especially with her, but what she didn't know was that, after a specific thing, even Dida had started to doubt their decision of getting Rhea and Ranbir married. And now, seeing Prachi to be the reason of her grandson's happiness, she was thinking that maybe, just maybe, they had made a mistake.

Her train of thoughts stopped when she heard a startled and feared scream.

Prachi was running, escaping from Ranbir who was just about to catch her, when her feet got caught in something and she felt gravity pulling her. She would have been less scared if she had been falling towards the ground. But she was not, and it was more scary. If she had been falling on the ground, she would mostly scrap her one limb or another. But No. She was falling straight in the pool. Water. And she didn't know how to swim.

She screamed as she came in contact with the water surface, and dipped beyond it. She felt her air supply cut and immediately closed her mouth, hoping to save some air in. Her feet and arms moved on their own accord, trying to get her over the surface. Her stomach clenched and she felt air-bubbles leaving her nose, when she had exhaled, she didn't know. The air in her mouth got filled in her lungs and she stilled, trying to reach the bottom and push back up with her feet. Hoping to float like a cork. But it failed, as she found herself not getting down or up. Her arms and feet again started their own, unsynchronized, movements. 

Her lungs started to burn and she stopped her struggle. To be honest, she didn't minded dying. Not now especially. After she had spent some truly happy moments with him. After reliving same, carefree, fun time with him and her last memory being of him. His laughing face. This was the best she could get.

She felt bad for her mother, surely it would break her. But now she had new anchors in her life. Two of them. Her father would take care of her. And that's what Rhea always wanted. Her parents, all to herself.

It felt like an eternity, where it was just less than a minute, when suddenly, out of nowhere, she felt something touch her hand, pulling her to a side. She felt the same thing around her waist and it took a moment for her oxygen deprived brain to identify the 'something' as a hand.

Well, not so soon, then.

She held onto her savior as if her life depended on it. Well, it literally did. She grasped onto him with all her might as he dragged her to the sideline, where she can now hear her family shouting out her name. She, or her heart, to be precise, like all other times, had already identified and put a name to the 'him'.

She felt herself being pulled up by, she mentally counted, about four hands. Two known, two unknown. How he had climbed up himself by still holding her was a mystery to her, but she kept that aside for any other sleepless night.

She was breathing in, some much needed air, heavily while she she felt numerous hands frantically checking her for some outer injury and hear them calling her name over and over again. Two being her mother and him.

She willed herself to open her eyes and hug her mother and tell that she was okay. But she couldn't. She literally could not. As her body seemed to be detached from her mind. She was panting but still she was unable to move any of her body part.

Her hands, fisted around the fabric of the cloths he was wearing. Her head resting on his chest and she tried to focus on his heartbeat to calm herself.

"Give her some space, she is in shock. She is okay but her body is still in daze. Please give her some space." Aarav's voice sounded close by, and every hand that were checking her left her body. Every but two.

So that was the reason she couldn't even move a single muscle.

One of them cradled her head while the other rubbed her shoulder.

"Shhh... You are alright. Shhh.. I'm here. You are alright. Prachi, Prachi you are alright. I'm here, I'm right here." Ranbir chanted on and on along with some more calming words, low enough that she doubted anyone else could hear it. His chest rumbling as he whispered in her hair, rocking her to and fro a bit. She could almost pick out the panic and fright in his voice, along with an emotion like he was making himself believe it too.

She wanted to console him too, but not even her hands were leaving his clothes. She could not even tighten or loosen her hold around him, let alone function her mouth.

"Ranbir, take her to the room." Abhi asked, as he took in his daughter's horrorstruck condition.

Ranbir did as asked by placing an arm around her back and other under her knees, picking her up and moving towards the house.

Everyone followed them to the living room, would have continued to do so in the room too, if Aarav had not stopped them. He entered the room with Pranbir and Shahana, saying that Prachi's condition might get worse if everyone crowded in the room. He had himself asked Shahana to follow him while stopping Pragya saying that she will be needed outside when he will return.

It took about twenty minutes when he returned to the hall, in fresh set of clothes, without Ranbir or Shahana. Piyush, Aryan and Rhea too had changed out of wet clothes.

"How.. how is she?" Pragya asked as soon as her saw Aarav out of the room.

"Is she okay?" Abhi asked, slight panic edge in his voice.

"She is okay, fortunately she didn't intake any water. She is just shocked, that's all. Ranbir had gone to his room to change, Shahana is helping Prachi." Aarav explained in a calm, professional tone.

"We should be up there, taking care of Prachi, right? Pragya puttar, Rhea, why don't you go to her." Dida asked, hinting that she might need her mother and sister.

"Believe me Dida, Shahana will take care of Prachi better than anyone in this house can." Aarav said, suppressed anger noticeable in his voice.

"What do you mean Aarav?" Pragya asked, confused, as per Aarav is a calm natured person, instead of when it comes of his dear ones.

"What I mean will be clear Aunty...."

A/N:- Hey cupcakes, How are you? Doing good? I present you with another chapter of the story hoping that you will like it as you did the previous ones. If you liked the Pranbir masti and the small incident that followed, make sure to vote and comment. Inline comments are always welcome. Feel free to point out the mistakes you find.

# What do you think of the Arhana part?

# What do you think had made Dida reconsider her decision?

# What do you think have instigated Aarav?

P.S.- I can promise you next chapter will be so much fun and a special someone will get a harsh reality check.

Lots of Love,

Simran