Bold Italic - Pragya
Italic - Abhi

Isn't this illegal as we are doing it without his knowledge?

Yes but if we do it secretly and if he doesn't know about it then it should be fine.

Abhi....Are you sure? I mean....

Pragya it's just an audio tracking device that helps me to hear his conversation with you. And since there is no classes during your college now as it is study week for exams, there are chances that he might turn up to meet you!

So this will be hidden under the table?

You will be having it. I mean in your handbag.

He said and place it inside her handbag.

Abhi... Whatever you are doing is making me scared for some reason.

That's because you haven't done like this before! It's normal to be scared.

I am blindly trusting you in all these and what if he.....

No Pragya! If his intention was to misbehave with you then he would have done it by now! But he didn't. So that means his intention is something else.

Hmm....

Pragya, you trust me right?

Yes I do....

Then stop worrying. I will be in the classroom next to the one you will be in. I have checked and that classroom is usually locked so he won't get any suspicion of me being inside there to hear both of you.

But why are you so sure that he will turn up tomorrow?

It's an instinct!

What instinct is this Abhi? Did you do anything unknown to me?

Maybe.... That's not important... You just do as I say. For tomorrow you stay at the classroom and do your work.

Okay.....

Pragya, please bring your handbag along if not this plan will be futile.

I will Abhi.....

Abhi smiled and asked her to leave now as her parents will be worried for her to be late.

Pragya left feeling restless about tomorrow.

The next day,

I am already in the classroom.

So early? I haven't even get ready. I thought you will pick me up as usual!

You come to college as per the normal timing. You don't have to be early. I am only informing you that I am already here. And I am sorry I can't pick you up today.

You are making me nervous!

Pragya.... You don't have to feel nervous. I am here na.

Okok! Let me get ready and come there.

And one more thing, don't call me hereafter.

Why?

I want him to feel the difference today.

Huh?

If there is any emergency then you call. Other than don't call or text me.

But Abhi....

Please Pragya.... Just do like I said. I can't be explaining every single thing and wasting time now.

Fine! I don't know where all this is going to end at!

Abhi smirks at her frustration now and said, Bye! See you later!

He ends the call making her even more worried and nervous.

Whatever it is, he can't be acting like this. Don't he know I am smarter than him?

She thought while Abhi murmured, Haan Pragya you're smarter than me but I am also smarter than you.

She sighed and left to the bathroom to freshen up.

After an hour,

Pragya was ready and left her house.

Throughout her way to college, she was only hoping nothing should go wrong today. She didn't expect Abhi to be in the locked classroom for so long. She know he would have asked some staff in college for the permission to stay in the classroom. Maybe it was the Principal himself who was helping him as he is fond of Abhi.

Once she reached the college, she went into her office first to get some files and papers. After that she went to the classroom she was supposed to be at.

Just then she received a text message from Abhi.

Talk something! I want to check whether is it working.

I hate you!

She said and Abhi smiled widely in response.

He replied in message as Thanks!

Pragya keeps her phone on the table and was irritated he replied thanks for her words.

After sometime, she diverted herself and was looking through the files.

How long do I have to be here?

She thought looking at the empty classroom.

She saw her phone vibrating and looked at the message. It was from Abhi.

Get ready! He is coming!

What? He is coming and how does Abhi knows?

She thought in shock and heard someone knocking the door.

Pragya trying not to be nervous said, Who is that?

The person came in and smiled at Pragya. In response, Pragya was unable to believe he was there.

You? But why?

Suresh, "So you were expecting me? That's nice!"

No I mean.... I wasn't expecting you and why are you here?

Suresh, "I thought this is the best time for me to talk to you. Lately, you have been appreciating my gifts and bouquets too so I felt it's time to turn up in front of you. About last night, I am sorry.... I didn't mean to scare you. I thought of surprising you but it turned out badly."

But Suresh.... You are in love with Bulbul!

Suresh tells the reason for his change of heart.

Look Suresh, I understand she doesn't love you but that doesn't mean I can love you now.

Suresh," But you did liked me right?"

Yes but I think it was just a liking. It was not love and my love is only towards Abhi.

Suresh, "No Pragya! We both have the same perspective of life. Don't you remember how many times you had agreed with my words?"

Yes Suresh. I agree but that doesn't mean I can love you. I have realised my love for Abhi. I firmly believe I truly love him.

Suresh," No! You can love me! He is just using his fame and money to attract you. It's not real."

No... I can't love you. I only love Abhi! And don't talk like that about him. I never fall for his fame or money. His character made me fall in love with him.

He then says something which shocks her.

No... I had enough of listening to others and doing things by their words. This time, I won't and that's why I had been adamant even when Abhi said about break up due to some misunderstanding. So you have to understand I won't change my decision for anyone now.

She was about to leave when he said, "What if I tell Abhi have some secrets in his life that he himself doesn't know about it?"

Secrets?

"Yes and secrets that will make his life complete."

I don't understand. Tell me clearly....

"His mum is still alive!"

What are you saying? Then why  she didn't come and see him until now?

"I am not a fool to tell everything to you when you haven't fulfill my demand!"

Suresh please.... Don't play with someone's life like this.

"Then love me!"

I can't Suresh! Even if I say yes to you then it will be a lie!

"Too bad then. Abhi have to live rest of his life not knowing about his mum and her whereabouts."

Suresh!

"It's still not too late. I can give you two days time to think patiently and reply your decision."

He leaves and she was left alone in the classroom.

Abhi soon came to the classroom she was in and looked at her.

You heard everything right?

Abhi nods his head as yes and Pragya immediately goes near him and hugs.

Abhi in response gently breaks the hug.

I know what you must be going through now. But do you think he could be lying?

I don't know but.... What if he is telling the truth?

Abhi.... I am sorry... Because of me he is using your weakness.

My Ma is my strength and she can't be my weakness Pragya!

I didn't mean that way. I mean what he was telling. I mean he was using you to blackmail me.

Pragya, all I need to know is.... Did he hurt you?

No Abhi!

Okay then, let's go from here. The rest we can discuss later.

He replied still bothered with Suresh's words on his Ma's existence.

Pragya could understand Abhi's plight. He still loves his parents a lot. There are many instances that he had shared that her behaviour was similar to his Ma. Sometimes she herself felt that could be the reason for Abhi to fell in love with her. And now.... If by any chance, what Suresh told is the truth, then Abhi would do anything to get back his Ma in his life again. Like Suresh said, Abhi's life will be complete by getting back motherly affection in his life again.

Maybe this is the right time for me to talk to Dadi. If I never talk now then I don't know how will I ever help Abhi in this issue.

She thought while he was driving and he suddenly stopped driving.

Why did you stopped?

Are you thinking of agreeing to his demand?

Wo.... I... Maybe... If...

Don't ever think like that. If you agree then once again I will be the reason for you to get hurt in your life!

But Abhi... He told your Ma is alive!

Yes he told that but what's the proof? Without any proof, how can I believe him? If he is telling the truth, then why he didn't tell me first?

Because he wants me to love him and so he is using this to blackmail me.

Pragya....whatever it is, I can't afford you to be hurt again because of me. He gave you two days right? That's a lot to find about him. This time we can be extra careful. I will also get the help of police as I feel I might not be able to find everything by myself. But I assure you this time I will get the best of people who will keep this entire matter as a secret. Okay?

Sure... I trust you!

Abhi smiles lightly and continues driving.

Even now he is thinking about not hurting me. Does hurting me previously affected him so much that he still lingers onto it? Now I am ready to get hurt not because of him but because of his love for me not to get hurt!

She thought by looking at him from the corner of her eyes.

A while later,

Pragya, would your parents mind if you are away from house for two days?

Err... Abhi... You mean to stay with you?

Haan but if they mind then it's okay.

They won't mind if it regards to work. Like last time, I went for an excursion trip with students for a week.

Okay then will you be able to tell them a lie?

But why? I mean I still can meet you after work na.

That's the issue here. We don't have much time Pragya.

But just now you said two days is a lot to find about Suresh!

Two days is enough to find but the time we spent together is not enough to find.

Oh... Okay... Then I will tell my parents. But it's quite all of a sudden. Maybe I say it's regarding to a event at college that I need to overstay.

Great! I will inform the Principal and ask him to make arrangements for another lecturer to take your classes.

No need.

No need? Why?

My resignation letter had been accepted.

You didn't tell me this earlier? Why Pragya? I thought you cancelled this idea of yours!

Abhi, chill! I didn't resign for him. I resigned as I got a better offer. It is at Delhi and my work starts next month.

At Delhi?

Yes Abhi! It's a reputable college and I had applied for that long time back. Just recently they offered me the job.

Oh... Congrats!

Thanks! I will miss this city for sure but I feel I also need a change in my life.

Only miss the city?

No....I will miss the people here... I will miss everyone here.

Okay! We are going to my guest house.

He then starts to drive while Pragya asked, But do you know who will I miss the most?

No!

You!

Not your parents ah?

I will miss them too but you are very special to me so I will miss you more.

Come on Pragya! You love your parents more than me.

Who said so?

Abhi jerks and stops driving.

What do you mean? You love me more than your parents? Is it because of what Sarla aunty did?

No! I love you more but that doesn't mean I love my parents less than you. It is just that I find you very special in my life. It is like a dream come true for me with your presence. And I don't want this dream to vanish forever.

Pragya, sometimes I am scared by the way you have turned to. Don't have high hopes on me as anytime anything happens between us. It is very unpredictable.

That's what I like! Very Unpredictable yet very unique!

She then gave a goofy smile.

Crazy girl!

He then drives while Pragya thinks how will she be able to contact Dadi if she stays with Abhi now.

They reached his guest house and he said, I have called my police friend, Akash. He will help us in this matter.

Pragya nods her head as yes and he informs that Akash will be reaching here in a while.

Akash soon reaches the place and Abhi tell everything that had happened so far.

Akash, "Does he know you two can be here?"

I don't think so....

Akash, "I am asking this as last night, you had brought her here that means he would have followed you all here too right? To check whether she is fine or not?"

Hearing that, Pragya gets tensed and looks around to see whether Suresh is there or not.

Maybe.... I didn't think about it but there is security here. It's kind of impossible for us to keep on change place just because of Suresh!

Akash," Yes Abhi but it's better to take  precautions. Right now, what we know is he is not harming her in any way but it could turn bad as he could get frustrated when he finds out we are planning against him."

Abhi... He is right! Suresh did seem to be a little different to me just now.

Okay, so what do you want us to do Akash?

Akash," Come with me! Stay at my house as it is more safe."

Abhi and Pragya agreed and both went with Akash.

They were in car and heading towards Akash's house.

Sneek peek to next part,

Dadi.... Please tell me the truth as we are facing a trouble. We are being blackmailed by using Abhi's Ma existence.

Dadi, "Blackmailed? Abhi didn't tell me anything about it."

Because he wants to confirm whether the person who blackmails us is telling the truth or not. He also didn't want you to get worried by this matter.

Dadi, "Pragya.... Abhi's Ma could be alive as we didn't find her dead body after the accident but Abhi doesn't know about this!"

Thank you everyone for reading and to all those voting, commenting, it's overwhelming to see your responses. Don't be sorry for lately reading/ commenting it too. It's my great pleasure in knowing all of you are reading this story.  Unable to reply individually in comment section due to time constraints.

Thank you once again for reading!