Abhi suddenly stopped the car which made Pragya woke up.

Abhi "Sorry Pragya, I think there is some problem with the car."

Pragya was still looking sleepy and nods her head.

Abhi gets down from the car and checks. He finds there is some problem with the engine.

Pragya is still inside the car. Abhi comes back and says" It seems there is some problem with the engine. You can sleep until then."

Pragya" I can't sleep without the car moving."

Abhi" Huh? Why is that so?"

Pragya very pleasantly said " Because the rhythm of your car driving is like a lullaby to me. And it makes me to sleep deeply, truly and madly."

Abhi never says anything except for giving a stern look.

Pragya looks upset at his behaviour. She was expecting him to smile a bit to what she said but he didn't!

Pragya murmured" Rude boy!"

She sees him fixing the car and looks how muscular he is while he is busy in his work.

Pragya thought," Oh Pragya.... It is irresistible to not drool over him. He is a very fit boy! How I wish he can carry me once? Hmm... What! Have you forgotten? He had already carried you na....haan but at that time I didn't feel he is a fit boy. I thought he was a naughty boy."

Abhi comes back and she blushes seeing him.

Abhi not looking at her said" Looks like a mechanic is needed to fix it."

Pragya who was still lost in her own thoughts was smiling widely.

Abhi" Pragya? Did you hear me?"

Pragya came back to senses and said
" Sorry, I was thinking about something nice."

Abhi" Oh... Ok so now we are in a problem as we need a mechanic to fix the car."

Pragya" Won't you ask me what was the something nice that I was thinking about?"

Abhi looking at her said to himself, I can see it very clearly from your face that it was about me that you were thinking about.

Pragya" Okok! Don't get serious now. Why don't you make a call and get a mechanic?"

Abhi" Yes sure. I will be doing that now but if we are unable to get one, then that means we have to walk some distance to reach any bus stop as we are at middle of nowhere now."

Pragya" I can understand. You first make a call as quick as possible. Hopefully we get a mechanic."

Abhi" Okay.... "

He says and makes a call. Pragya heard him getting tensed and he ended the call saying thank you!

Abhi" He said it will take very long for him to reach here. His suggestion was, it would be better if we walk to the nearby bus stop. And he also suggested that there is a dhaba where we can eat and sleep."

Pragya" Then what about the car?"

Abhi" He will bring it somehow. I think most probably by pulling it with his car or something."

Pragya" Then I am fine. Let's walk. Hopefully we can reach by tomorrow morning."

Abhi looks upset and Pragya says
" Koyal and Chotu are smart and obedient kids. They will be fine."

Abhi" I am not worried about them. I am worried for Ram sir. He won't be able to manage them."

Pragya" Is he alone?"

Abhi" No, there is still Diya mam."

Pragya with a smile said" Don't worry they are naughty only sometimes. Not all the time like you!"

Abhi frowned in response and
Pragya" You know something, you seriously need to go for some relaxation classes as recently you hardly smile!"

Abhi murmured" Ya ya... "

Pragya" I can completely understand what you are going through. But for my sake, will you smile? Please.... "

Abhi walks ahead and Pragya follows him.

Pragya" Have faith in yourself! That is the only thing will make your life easier."

Abhi sighs sarcastically in response and Pragya replied" It is good to vent out your sacrasm. Make sure all of it is vented out today and after that be positive!"

All of a sudden, Pragya sings "Tadbeer se bigdi hui taqdeer bana le, apne pe bharosa hai toh yeh daulaga le"

Abhi hears it and ignore her.

Pragya "You know the meaning for what I sang. Then why are you not understanding it?"

Abhi walks ahead while she follows behind. She is determined not to let him think wrong.

Abhi "Don't follow me. I am not a person to be followed."

Pragya "Who said I was following you? I am following where my heart goes. Do you know where is my heart going?"

She asked looking innocently and in response Abhi closes his eyes in displeasure.

Pragya "Leave it if you don't know. You know there is a saying that love is blind. I think it suits you well as you can't see where my heart goes."

Abhi opens his eyes and continues to walk ahead not giving importance to her words.

She frowns and folds her arms at his behaviour.

This is too much! This man is not giving respect to his teacher! No student in my career had this kind of behavior. I will teach him a good lesson today.

Abhi senses she was not following him and he turns to take a look.

He was shocked to see her sitting on the pavement.

She grins at him and he comes towards her wondering what's wrong with her.

Abhi "Get up Pragya! What are you doing? It's a pavement for people to walk not a park to sit!"

Pragya looking up at him "I don't know all that. My student is not respecting me. Justice has been denied. You can live with it but I can't."

Abhi looked puzzled and asked "Like seriously? Are you telling filmy dialogues now for this petty incident. And how does respect relates to justice?"

She continues to say random things about respect, justice and law which makes Abhi even more puzzled and he sees few people seeing them with sheepish smiles on their face.

Abhi" OK tell me what should I do for you to stop this?"

Pragya" Hmm... Give respect and take respect!"

Abhi sighed and said" You are doing this drama as if I don't respect you."

He said by forwarding his hand for her to hold and a stand up.

She standing up said" You do respect me but not as your teacher. You forgot my role as your teacher na. Remember at Bangalore you want me as you teacher?"

Abhi smiled slightly and it warmed Pragya's heart as he was smiling after sometime.

Abhi" Pragya... Oh... I'm sorry shall we go Guruji?"

Pragya looks impressed at his change.

Pragya" Now you are like my student. Haan studentji, let's go."

Abhi smiles widely and starts to walk ahead while Pragya follows him.

Abhi stops walking and turns back to see her. He then asks, " Can I ask you something?"

Pragya" Sure studentji! As your Guruji, I will answer you."

Abhi" Why don't you walk beside me?"

Pragya" I would love to.... But for that to happen there is still time. I am not sure whether it will be right now."

Abhi never say anything and she grinned in response.

Abhi thought, Is she referring to walking beside me as my life partner or am I interpreting it wrongly?"

Pragya waves her hand in front of him and he said "You are talking a lot today Pragya."

Pragya "It's all because of your blessings! Sometimes studentji also becomes Guruji. It happens.... "

Abhi felt the best is to not talk a lot as it will make things worse for both.

He continues to walk by asking around people of the directons to the dhaba and bus stop.

Pragya walks ahead at one point of time and Abhi asks" Now you want me to follow you?"

Pragya" Sometimes you have to follow me too. You can't expect me to follow you all the time."

Abhi" Alright."

Pragya" That's like a good boy....no... I mean that's like my good boy.... "

Abhi never react much to it and continues to walk.

Pragya murmured" This boy na is not at all responsive. I am having a hard time with this stubborn boy."

Finally they reached the dhaba and Pragya ordered a lot of food to eat which made Abhi amused at the amount of food she was eating.

Pragya" Thank you so much studentji!"

She said wiping her lips with duppata.

Abhi" I didn't expect you to eat for three rounds."

Pragya" I myself never expect this!" she said and burped loudly.

Abhi chuckles seeing it and Pragya gets angry in response.

Abhi controlling himself said" But I am happy that now your hunger was satisfied."

Pragya" Hmmm...."

Abhi" We had our dinner now. Let's pay for it then sleep here before we leave in the morning as the bus to the village arrives at 6 am."

Pragya" But before that will you give offering to your Guruji?"

Abhi" Offering? What do you mean?"

Pragya pointed to a small toy stall beside the dhaba.

Abhi" Guruji likes toys ah?"

Pragya" This Guruji likes it!" she said with her arms folded.

Abhi" Teek hai. Come, I will buy for u."

Pragya smiles widely and follows him.

Abhi" Which one do you want?"

Pragya thinks for a while and chooses a pink Teddy bear.

Abhi grins at her choice of liking.

Pragya" Koyal likes this na. Let's get it one for her too." she said holding an elephant soft toy.

Abhi" Okay.... "

Abhi then realizes he never took his wallet with him.

Pragya" Kya hua? Why do you look like as if you are having constipation?"

Abhi" Chee! I didn't expect you to speak this way Pragya."

Pragya" Hey, your face is really looking like that. By the way, faster pay and let's leave."

Abhi comes closer to her and whispers in ears by hugging her.

Pragya" Acha.... This is the matter for that constipation look."

Abhi" You don't repeat that yaar. It sounds awful."

Pragya" Teek hai. You do like this to escape from this matter."

Abhi asks what and she whispered in his ears to which he gasped and yelled as No!!!

Pragya" You have to do this if not we will not be able to leave."

Abhi scowls his face and Pragya stared at him.

The shop owner" Bhaiyya, I am going to close the shop...."

Abhi looks at Pragya helplessly.

Pragya silently tells why are you looking at me? Do as I said!

Abhi sighs and says" Bhaiyya... We forgot to bring money. Take this watch of mine instead.".

Pragya gives a glare for what he does. This is not she expect him to do.

The shop owner understands their plight and accepts the watch.

Pragya frowns and walks away.

Abhi" Pragya, don't be angry for this. If I did like what u said, it would be dramatic. Let's be realistic as people around us will surely understand."

Pragya" So you are saying I am not realistic ah?"

Abhi" I didn't mean that way."

Pragya" For that shop owner you have given your watch as payment. Then how about the owner for dhaba? Now that you have me it means you will give me as his payment ah?"

Abhi" What the hell are you saying?"
He asked by pulling her close to him.

Pragya was taken aback by his action.
Abhi" How do you expect me to give you as a payment? Am I that cheap for you?"

Pragya in a shivering tone, " I didn't mean that way.... I told it in a flow.... "

Abhi holding her tightly said" In a flow? Never ever say this again Pragya. It's disgusting."

He lets her off in a way that she falls onto the ground.

Pragya manages to stand up and goes behind Abhi.

Pragya thinks how stupid she is and never thinks before she says anything especially in front of him.

What happen to you Pragya? You are never like this! How can you phrase your words like this?

She starts crying unable to see him angry towards her.

Abhi realizes he had been harsh to her and looks back.

He sees her crying and it makes him feel bad.

Abhi goes back to her and says "I'm sorry.... I was...."

Pragya hugs him in respond making Abhi shock. Abhi remains in her hug and breaking away from the hug, she looks at him.

Pragya "I don't know yaar. I don't know what happen to me recently. I don't know what am I thinking or saying. I know it's all crazy things and I don't know why I like to be crazy in front of you."

She cries again and Abhi realizes what she will end up saying soon.

Abhi" Stop crying! It happens like this when you are unwell. You were having cold and cough na. I think that is making your mind like this. Even I will be like this sometimes."

Pragya" No! It's not about that. This is about my feelings. I mean my feelings towards you."

Abhi quickly replies" I think this is not the right time to talk about this Pragya. Now our thoughts must be on Koyal and Chotu. After we get them, we can talk about this. It's getting late too and we need to sleep early so that we can catch the first bus in the morning."

Pragya wiping her tears" I'm sorry. You are right. I will definitely talk to you about this later. Now let's go and sleep."

Pragya goes ahead and Abhi sighs in relief but was feeling extremely bad as he stopped something beautiful that could have happened.

Pragya on other hand couldn't believe she was almost going to confess her feelings for him. She felt she still needs to boost up her confidence and tell about it after getting Koyal and Chotu.

They were then sleeping at separate cots not looking at each other but thinking of each other throughout the night.

Sneek peek to next part,

Pragya "You were right again. I shouldn't have come here and make you feel ashamed. It's just by profession I am a teacher but I am not wise enough to understand your words earlier."

Abhi "Don't say like that Pragya. This is beyond our expectations. You don't have to blame yourself for this."

Pragya "No... No matter what you say, still the fault is mine. I should have...."
He in response closes her mouth with his hand and says "Enough Pragya. I know it hurts.... As I said before, I am not hurt by his words and you don't have to feel hurt thinking I am hurt because of you."

How was it? This is the 20th update for this story including the teasers etc. It's really wonderful to see all the votes, comments and reads. Thank you all for the constant support. I would like to say sorry for not being able to reply to all your comments. For all those who comment, A VERY VERY BIG ThAnK YoU!!! 🤗🤗☺️☺️😉😉