Hello everyone.. 💜

After a long time.. Back with my favorite story.. ❤️ 💜

I'm heartily sorry for the delay.. 💜❤️

Here is the next chapter..

Happy reading everyone..❤️💜

Chapter 17..
Too Close Yet Too Far..

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"A good relation does not depend on how good understanding we have.. But.. It depends on how better we avoid misunderstandings.."

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Will you just stop with it.. I don't have to hide anything from you.. as I said already.. this is irrelevant for me.. In that case.. it is for you too.. you know what Anuj did with us..?.. then how can you say such a thing about me.. That too with his own brother..?.. Pragya inquests him back..

So what Pragya, if Abhi is Anuj's brother..?!.. It is Anuj.. not Abhi.. right..?.. Saurabh asks.. and Pragya looked at him portent..!..

She settles over the bed and lets out a sigh.. While Saurabh kneels in front of her.. She found his flaring sight on her.. And he could clearly witness her eyes controlling her tears to stake within them..

He holds her hand and asks.. You can control your tears.. but not your love for him.. You can suppress me.. but not your heart..!.. Just ask yourself.. Can you desist with your feelings..?!.. Can you just give up your love..?!..

Pragya pushes him slightly and moves aside standing up.. She turns looking at him and says in a fierce tone.. No..!..

Hearing to her, he smiles.. And Pragya gets close him saying.. No.. I'm not.. I don't have to.. Because I don't have any such feelings inside me for him.. It's just that, I'm grateful to him for what he is.. how he helped me without any surmise.. I want to be kind to him for all my life.. Because he is so nice and genial.. But love..!.. I don't.. I don't love him..

But Pragya, remember that.. it was you the one who said this.. Our enmity is just with Anuj.. and not with his family.. He reminds her own words to her..

Please don't curl up my words Saurabh.. Yes, I was the one who said that.. Though, I'm not ready for such relationship.. And I better know that, what I'm in need of.. All I want is to get justice for Tanu.. And it is from Anuj.. I can't desist my avenge from him, because of Abhi.. I will not give up, until I make him to which he made my sister..!.. This is my life and I will be this.. Even if you don't stand with me.. Her voice was that riled, where Saurabh couldn't get out it for next few seconds..

Just then.. they heard a knock over the door.. Pragya mops her cheeks and Saurabh quickly gets into the cupboard.. She closes the cupboard properly.. within which, she heard another knock over the door.. she once looks at her face in the mirror and made sure that, no traces of her wet tears are evident over her face..

She storms towards the door and opens to see Anjali standing with a plate of food.. She walks in with a smile saying.. Pragya.. You didn't eat your dinner nah.. So, I got it here..

Di, I would have come down.. Why did you come here just for this..?!.. Pragya asks walking behind her.. All the while, her eyes were looking at the cupboard to check on Saurabh's safety..

Haan, but Anuj isn't home yet.. and as you know Ma and Papa are here.. Bulbul and Purab are with them.. They had dinner together.. Abhi isn't feeling well.. I gave his dinner in his room..

Not well.. How.. I mean.. What happened to him..?!.. Pragya pants her breath letting out her concerned queries on him..

Pragya.. relax.. He is fine.. It's just that, he is having a slight fever.. I have given him medicines.. he will be fine by tomorrow morning.. Anjali says and Pragya sighs, yet her unease worry was palpable in her eyes..

Now, finish you dinner and rest well.. Tomorrow morning, we all are leaving to temple for a small puja for Purab and Bulbul.. Anjali says placing the plate over the bed side table..

Pragya nods and Anjali walks out of the room.. Pragya rushes behind her and was about to close the door.. but stops looking at Anjali who turns back..

Pragya.. You didn't spill anything to Abhi about what we spoke downstairs nah..?!.. She asks.. and Pragya recalls about her words.. She stood eyeing down and Anjali asks again..

No di, I didn't.. She replied and Anjali smiles at her saying.. Thank God.. Please don't tell anything to him.. Let it be a surprise for him.. She winks at Pragya and walks away..

Pragya closes the door and rubs her eyes abruptly.. She notices Saurabh who stood leaning over the cupboard and staring at her.. She throws him a short glaring glance and turns to the door and checks whether she has locked it properly or not..

You can show your tears to me.. I will not scorn you.. Saurabh says.. And Pragya flips facing him quickly with tears trembling down her cheeks endlessly..

Why should I cry..?!.. She asks looking at him in her sobbing voice and her palms started to mop her cheeks continuously.. While Saurabh stood looking at her with a taunting smile..

She settles over the bed and whimpers her cries silently.. Saurabh walks to her and sits beside her.. He grabs the water bottle and opens it.. Pouring some water into the glass he forwards it to her.. and she gulps it in a go..

Are you okay..?.. He asks and she remained quiet.. He takes the food plate and feeds her with a spoon full.. She munches her food and Saurabh says.. I don't want to talk about it anymore.. because, I very well know what is inside you heart.. and I'm sure you too know that.. So, stop fighting with yourself and first confess everything to yourself.. There is no one to stop you Pragya.. I was.. I am.. and I will be always beside you..

She flutters her lashes which pushes down the last drop of tear that was clinging to her eye.. She takes the plate from him and feeds him back saying.. May be you are right Saurabh.. But I don't want to.. .. she pauses as Saurabh asks her to stop it.. But she denies him and continues.. No, please let me speak.. There is no doubt that, I have only you for me in this entire world.. After Tanu di.. It's only you.. Whatever happens.. I will be always with you..

You are wrong Pragya..!.. Don't you think that you are doing injustice with yourself..?!.. Asks Saurabh..

Pragya slowly nods her head as no and Saurabh says.. Fine, so then.. Let's leave from here.. We can take our revenge being out of this house too.. Anyway, one day this family is gonna know about your truth.. and they are gonna throw you out of this house.. Then, why don't we ourselves get out.. Let's go.. Come on..

Pragya gives him a inept look and Saurabh gestures her as what..!.. Letting out a deep sigh, she says.. I will surely leave this house one day.. But not now..

Saurabh was about to speak, but Pragya urges her voice saying.. Please don't start again.. Just keep your quarrels aside and let me be in peace.. Good night.. She says and stands up with the empty place..

You are going to his room.. right..?!.. Sourabh asks and she turns to him with an uptight eyes.. He lifts his brows and she replies to him in much irate tone.. Shut up and stay quiet.. I'm going to leave this empty plate in kitchen.. She says and opens the door as he looked on.. She slams the door closing it forcefully and Saurabh jerks with it..

" " " " " " "

She was out of the kitchen standing near the door hearing someone's voice.. She hides behind the door and peeps out her face.. Where she saw Purab walking in with two men..

He stands in middle of the hall and instructs something to the two men, who then walks all around the house..

What is he doing..?!.. Who are these two..?.. Is he planting them for security.. No.. no.. They don't look like them.. But, who are they..?!.. She stood stressing over her doubts and in meanwhile she saw Purab walking out of the house..

Stepping up the stairs quickly.. She hides behind the pillar and peeps down.. She saw Purab walking in with a box and another person walks behind him with another box..

She was now puzzled and confused more.. Though, she stood hiding behind the pillar patiently and watched his every single move..

With Purab..

He places the box over the table and opens the seal.. He pulls out a CCTV camera and some wires out of it.. One of the men helped him with unwrapping the other box..

Place all around the house and especially out of Anuj bhai's room.. Make sure that all the cameras are hidden.. Purab says and they nodded to him..

Pragya gets shocked hearing his words and moves aside to the next pillar.. Oh, no.. He is planting cameras all around the house.. Now, this is gonna be very tough.. What about Saurabh..?!.. She muses her worried thoughts and bit her lips in dismay.. She turns to leave, but stops as her eyes fell over Abhi's room door.. Her attention diverted to Saurabh's words.. of what he said when she left her room.. "You are going to his room.. right..?!.."..

Her eyes started to accumulate with moist tears quickly.. She turns and walks ahead, but stops flipping back.. She stood glaring at the door for few seconds.. Her legs started to walk towards it without her insight.. She held the handle and waited for few seconds more, striking.. "No Pragya.. Just step back and go ahead with your task.. Don't let your heart go weak because of your love for him.."..

She steps back leaving the handle.. and was about to step forward.. But she saw Purab with one of the men walking upstairs.. With no other go, she opens the door and rushes into his room..

She heard the foot steps loud.. Pressing her lips, she steps back slowly and her legs got hit with the bed.. She falls back abruptly over the bed and her head landed over Abhi's stomach..

She lurches up immediately and runs around the bed and sits down behind the headboard.. Meanwhile the room got brighter with light, as Abhi sat on the bed and flips his face either sides fearfully.. Gulping his throat, he looks around once again and his eyes fell over his knees..

He forwards his hand and picks up her dupatta that was over his knees.. Pragya..!.. He says her name and looks around quickly.. Stepping down from the bed.. he rushes to the door and opens it..

Abhi..!.. He heard Purab's voice and turns to him standing aside his room.. and a man, who stood over the stool and was fixing the camera..

Purab.. What are you doing here at this time..?!.. Abhi asks and Purab says.. That, I should ask you.. What are doing here still awake..?!..

Abhi rolls his eyes with a sigh and says.. Purab this is my room.. I was sleeping and woke up because of.. .. he pauses clutching the dupatta, which he was hiding behind his back..

Because of what Abhi..?!.. Purab asks and Abhi blinks his eyes abruptly.. Abhi.. He stresses his voice again and Abhi says in a stammering tone.. I.. I woke up.. because.. because.. I.. I heard some noise and got disturbed..

Abhi.. Are you fine..?!.. Purab asks nearing him and Abhi blocks his way to enter the room.. Purab stood confused..

Abhi throws her dupatta over the couch and asks looking at him.. But, what are you doing here at this night..?!..

Purab smiles saying.. Fixing my eyes all around our house.. Abhi shrinks his eyes at his reply and Purab says.. Fixing cameras around our house..

But why..?!.. He asks and Purab says.. I want to make sure that everything is safe around us.. especially Anuj bhai..

Purab, you are worrying too much.. Says Abhi.. Why Abhi..?!.. Don't you have any worry..?!.. Purab asks and Abhi says.. Of course, I do.. But placing cameras all around our house.. What will bhai and bhabhi think, if they get to know about it..?!.. They will get worried and everyone's peace will be ruined..

No Abhi.. No one will know about this.. Because I'm fixing these by hiding them from everyone.. They won't know about this.. Unless and until you blabber out about it..

Abhi gives him a stare and Purab giggles at him saying.. Okay, fine.. Tomorrow morning we are leaving to temple.. You know right..?!..

Haan.. Anjali bhabhi informed me.. Says Abhi.. But we aren't going there to attend the puja.. Purab says..

What..?!.. But why..!?.. Abhi aks in an exclaiming tone.. I mean.. tomorrow we are going to catch that person.. Who tried to attack Anuj bhai.. Purab says..

You mean.. that Saurabh..?!.. Asks Abhi.. Haan.. and this time, he will be in our clutches for sure.. Purab ordained his words..

So, you have planned everything already.. Isn't..?!.. Abhi questions and Purab says.. Not exactly Abhi.. I didn't plan anything.. But I'm sure tomorrow we will get him under our custody..

Abhi looks confused and Purab takes him aside near the stairs far from the man..

With Pragya..

What is it..?!.. Why couldn't I hear their voices..?!.. She murmurs softly and lifts up herself.. She found them to be nowhere.. Bending down again.. She notices her dupatta over the couch.. Hitting her forehead, she was about to stand up.. but remains sitting down and peeps out to check on Abhi.. After ensuring that, he isn't present.. She quickly rushes to the couch and takes her dupatta.. She then hides down to the side of couch, as she heard the door sliding in..

Closing her mouth with her palm.. She suppressed her panting breath.. and tried to make herself calm.. She saw his shadow nearing the bed.. She struggles and gets behind the couch by pushing it forward slowly..

Abhi turns and looks at the couch.. He panics on not seeing her dupatta.. Where did it go..?!.. I.. I threw it over the couch.. Abhi says and ruffles his back head.. He flips and looks at the bed and says.. I'm sure I had her dupatta with me.. I still feel her scents that prevailed on that dupatta.. Where did it go..?!.. Or.. did.. did I just hallucinate..?!.. May be.. She is sweeping my fortitude.. Grinning his teeth after letting out his fascinations over her.. Abhi walks to the balcony and settles over the futon..

Here Pragya, looks at him and his words ringed in her mind repeatedly along with the bickering dispute, she had with Saurabh a while ago..

She takes her steps cautiously out of Abhi's room and saw no one.. Pacing her steps faster towards her room.. She closes the door.. and Saurabh jerks out from his petty sleep..

I'm sorry.. I disturbed your sleep.. She apologizes to him and Saurabh says.. No.. I just closed my eyes a few minutes before.. I was waiting for you.. Where were you so long..?!..

She was about to say him about Abhi.. But stops striking.. If I say him, that I got trapped inside his room.. he will start again with his orations..

Pragya.. I'm asking you.. Where were you..?!.. Saurabh asks again.. She turns and locks the door after checking that no one is out of her room.. especially her mind was alert over Purab..

She pulls him near the balcony and explains about whatever she saw and the conversation between Purab and Abhi..

So, what..?!.. Saurabh asks and Pragya widens her eyes saying.. You are so cool.. Saurabh, they have planned to trap you..!..

No Pragya, not me.. But the real culprit.. Saurabh says in an unwinding tone..

What.. Are you mad..?!.. We are the.. .. before she could speak further.. Saurabh cuts off her saying.. No, we are not.. They are gonna catch the real culprit who attacked on Anuj..

Pragya thinks on silently and says.. It means.. they were planning to trap that person.. Whom they are thinking as you..

Exactly.. And you know what..!.. I want them to do it.. Because even, I wanna know who is he.. and why is he behind Anuj life.. Saurabh says..

But Saurabh.. They took your name.. I mean, they have seen you already and what if they don't identify him, thinking that it is not you..?!.. She inquires..

Don't stress this much.. Even if they don't identify him, he himself will be get caught.. Because I'm sure tomorrow they have planned to trapped him in name of this puja.. So, we can be in ease.. Saurab says and walks to the couch.. He lays down and Pragya stood confounded..

By the way, is he alright..?!.. He asks and she shrinks her eyes at him.. and he says.. I'm asking about Abhi..

She lays down over the bed and switches of the night lamp.. Pulling the blanket over her.. She says in a stern voice.. Good night..!.. He smiles at her with a shook and turns aside closing his eyes..

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Next day, morning..

What happened to you suddenly..?!.. Just go fast.. they must be waiting for you.. Saurabh says looking at Pragya, who was sitting with a tense full face over the bed..

Pragya.. Just leave.. He stresses his voice again and she sighs in a tizzy.. Just then, they heard Anjali calling her name..

Now come on, leave soon.. Saurabh says urging her.. No.. I can't leave you alone here.. She sounded her voice firmly.. Come on Pragya.. I'm not a kid.. I can take care of myself.. Saurabh squalls his reply.. But still, she remained silent with raving face..

Again, they heard Anjali calling her name.. And this time.. Saurabh clutches her arm and drags her slightly towards the door saying.. Now, enough with your stubbornness.. You are going and that's it.. He said strictly and holds the door handle..

But she pulls his hand away and says in a husky voice.. No means no.. And this time, I'm firm in my decision.. As soon as, she completes.. The door was knocked..

Saurabh steps back and Pragya jolts back.. I'm gonna inform her, that I'm not going with them.. She whispers her voice and holds the handle.. Saurab protest her saying.. No Pragya.. Don't.. .. before he could complete, they heard another knock.. and Pragya slides the handle and pulls the door.. Saurabh bumps back and hides behind the door.. While Pragya stood bewildered..

Pragya..!.. How long..?!.. They heard Abhi's sturdy voice.. She wipes her forehead, which soon engulfed with sweat drops.. Pragya.. You are fine nah..?!.. Abhi asks and steps in making her sweat to upsurge..

Without wasting a second.. She clutches his arm and hauls him out of the room.. Abhi was astound.. He kept flipping his face between her face and her grip over his arm.. His lips curved for a mirthful smile..

With Pragya.. Though, she was aware of what Abhi is going through with her antics.. She kept it aside, as all her pester was on Saurabh and to safe gaurd him.. She pulls the door and closes it with a bang.. and walks ahead holding his arm.. Abhi couldn't take his eyes away from her.. He was just stepping on to her steps..

After reaching downstairs, by all the way walking close and shading beside her.. Abhi felt ecstatic.. Pragya then and there looked upstairs and made sure that nothing is messy..

In meantime Purab and Bulbul walks down the stairs.. They were completely concussed on looking at their stance, where Pragya stood rounding her hands around Abhi's arm and he stood looking into her eyes..

Purab walks forward and shook Abhi on his shoulder.. Which made Pragya to realise her grip over him.. She steps back letting his arm free.. and Abhi faces Purab with a tight stare..

You are seriously becoming the villain of my love story..!.. Abhi murmurs and Purab gestures him as what..!.. Abhi stretches his lip for a wide irked smile and Purab says.. Let's go.. Saying so he steps forward, but stops looking at Abhi, who was lost with Pragya..

He was about to grab Abhi's hand.. But Bulbul rushes and pulls him out along with her.. Abhi winks at Bulbul, who shows her thumb up..

He looks at Pragya asking.. Shall we leave..?!.. She nods her head and he forwards his arm to her.. She stood fluttering her lashes and Abhi says.. You can hold my arm..!..

Her lips creeped for a demure smile, and this time.. She admitted to herself that.. "Whatever Saurabh said was true.. I don't know, for how long I'm gonna lock my heart.. But if my fortune is good.. I will surely let you know that, how much I love you.. and my faith over my love will get you.."

"" "" "" ""

In Car..

Why are you doing like this Bulbul..?!.. What was the need..?!.. Purab scowls looking at Bulbul.. Because Abhi is in need of his love.. She replies..

Will you just stop with it.. Why are you so adamant in getting them together..?!.. He asks.. And Bulbul glares at him saying.. So what..!.. Because he loves her..

Don't forget that, Bhai and bhabi are.. .. before he could complete.. she cuts off him saying.. Haan, I know that di and Anuj jiju are planning for Abhi's marriage.. But, Abhi loves Pragya..

Pragya.. Pragya.. Pragya.. Why do you want her in Abhi's life..?!.. Purab almost yells his voice, which shocks Bulbul.. He stops the car at the road side.. and relieves himself from the seat belt.. Stepping down.. he walks to the front and kicks the car..

Bulbul who follows him.. holds his arm and asks.. Why are you having this much hatred on her Purab..?!.. What did she do to you..?..

Not to me.. But to Anuj bhai.. I strongly doubt that, she is the person who is behind all the attacks on him.. Finally Purab blurted his strife..

You have gone mad.. Like Abhi said.. You are really mad.. Bulbul shouts loud and Purab raises her hand to slap her.. But stops hearing the long horn sound of the car that crosses them.. He noticed that the car was Abhi's and his attention got over him..

He rushes and settles on the driver seat.. And twists the key.. He looks forward, where he saw Bulbul standing still at the place and fuming her sight on him.. Hitting his forehead.. He walks back to her and says.. I'm sorry Bulbul.. I.. I was just.. .. he pauses looking at her, who ignored him and settles back inside the car.. After which, he droves away the car..

" " " " "

With Abhi and Pragya..

Abhi steps down and opens the door for her.. She adjusts her dupatta and steps down.. After locking the car.. Abhi walks inside the temple, while she walked beside him..

By the way, did you come to my room yesterday night..?!.. Abhi asks and Pragya jolts gulping her throat.. He waits for her to speak.. and she nods her head negatively..

You are lying.. He says and she stood pressing her lips in nervousness.. He winks at her with giving her a sublime smile and walks ahead leaving her alone..

Did he see me yesterday night..?!.. No way.. I was so cautious.. But how come he is so confident..!?.. She stood lingering her thoughts, and felt a hand over her shoulder.. She turns to see Bulbul who stood with a smile..

Let's get in.. She says and Pragya nods to her.. Bulbul..!.. They heard Purab calling her name, who was walking behind her in a distance.. Bulbul grabs Pragya's hand and rushes into the temple..

Shit..!.. I shouldn't have done that.. Purab mumbles his words and just then his mobile rang.. Pulling it out from his pocket.. He saw Abhi's name flashing over it.. He cuts the call and walks in..

After an hour..

What happened between you two..?!.. Abhi asks Purab, who stood beside him.. Purab recalls his enraged conversation with Bulbul and his fierce act towards her..

Purab.. Is everything alright between you two..?.. Abhi asks and Purab says.. Haan.. It's just a small tiff.. We are alright together.. He assures his words and Abhi says.. I feel something strange around us Purab.. Don't know why..?.. Purab looks at Pragya and Abhi notices him..

"" "" "" "" ""

An hour later..

What..?.. Where..?... We are coming.. Purab ends the call after speaking those words in a queasy tone..

Purab.. What happened..?!.. Anjali asks walking close to him.. and Purab stood voiceless..!..

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Will be continued..

Sorry for the late update.. I hope the update wasn't boring.. If so, my apologies..

Will try to update next part soon..

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Thank you.. ❤️💜