Hi ya! I heard that there will be a Kumkum Bhagya spin-off, focusing on the Arora family?
🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

Would be awesome if there was a spin-off with Vin Rana a.k.a Purab as the lead.
😜😜😜😜😜😜😜😜

Anyways, Onwards!!!

"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

Chapter 23 - Out with the Secrets!

"Right here. Thanks!" Pragya got off the car.

"Hey wait! I don't see Shabbir anywhere here. Are you sure we're at the right place?" asked Prasanth with doubt.

Pragya nodded. "See that turning? Shabbir's house is the second house beyond that turning. Its too narrow for your car to enter. Thank you for helping me. Thank you so much Sir! I'll try to pay attention in class in return." saying that, Pragya rushed off.

"Pay attention? This means she usually doesn't." He opened the window and shouted after her. "Get ready to go the Principal's office once College reopens Miss Pragya!"

However, Pragya didn't turn back to reply. He watched her go with a conflicted mind.

'Should I follow her or leave? Its not like anyone would attack her here. Besides, I made sure no one was following us. I think it's okay to leave.' Prasanth started the car. 'Besides, if this is something relating to any teenage lover's tiff, I don't want any part of it.'

He drove off towards the college, while Pragya ran towards Shabbir's apartment. As she took the turning, she could see Shabbir's bike parked in front of his apartment. She went inside, but found the front door locked. She searched around the entire perimeter of his apartment, but didn't find him.

She came out of the gate, tired from all the rush, and looked around. She saw him at a distance, walking forward. "Ugh! I have to run again? Damn!"

Nevertheless, Pragya began chasing after him, mumbling to herself. "After I propose, Shabbir you better make our first date worth it. I haven't run this much for nothing!"

Shabbir, on the other hand, was lost in his own world of misery. Today, in his songs, he had expressed his love for Pragya, since he knew he would never do it in reality. He didn't want any harm to come to her because of him. So he decided not to confess his love and stay away. Besides, he knew his brother could keep her happy and give her enough love, maybe even more than himself. He would try to live his life with the consolation that at least he managed to keep his brother and love safe. He sighed and closed his eyes.

He tried to remember Pragya's face in his mind. He loved how she spelt his name from her mouth.

"Shabbir!"

'Yes. Just like that. She says it so beautifully. Its so enchanting that I'm being able to imagine it exactly as she says it. I wish she was with me right now.' Shabbir thought with a smile.

"Shabbir! Damnit stop!"

Shabbir paused his steps and opened his eyes. 'She isn't supposed to call out like that. Why would I imagine her cussing at me?'

"Shabbir! Shabbirrr!"

He turned around and saw Pragya running towards him. "Wow. I guess some wishes do come true."

Pragya stopped once she reached him. "Stop! *huff* Finally got you! *huff* I've been searching *huff* all over for *huff* YOU!" She could barely talk between her panting and huffing. She tried to gain back her breathing from all the running.

"Relax. I'm not going anywhere. Why were you searching for me anyway?"

Pragya straightened up and looked into his eyes. "I want to know what's wrong with you. You left abruptly from the College and you seemed depressed. Why?"

Shabbir tried to think of an excuse. "Its nothing like that. I left because I didn't want to watch the rest of the boring performances. And as for the depression thing... It's just me being tired from worrying over the Xcaliber chip. You know how much of a headache it can be." he joked.

However, Pragya wasn't convinved. "Don't even try to lie to me. I know there is some other reason for your behaviour. Tell me please. I want to help."

"There's nothing wrong, alright? Stop bugging me and go attend the Fest. I'm bone tired and I need rest. That's why I came back home in the first place."

"If that's the reason, then why are you roaming about and not inside your home?" 😒

Shabbir didn't have an answer to that and looked down.

"Shabbir please. Tell me the truth. I thought we are friends, aren't we? You can trust me."

"Prgaya I... I can't tell you. Try to understand. You called me your friend, right? So please try to understand."

"What if I want to be more? What if I... What if I want to be someone whom you could trust more than anything?" Pragya told him, looking into his eyes.

Shabbir's eyes widened on hearing that. By saying those things, she was only increasing the pain in his heart, because that's what he longed for her to be. That's what he wanted... For her to be one he could trust above all, love the most and have beside him...forever. But he knew he won't tell her those things for her sake and his brother's.

He tried to push past her. However, she held him back by the wrist.

"Shabbir please. Don't push me away. Don't shut off your emotions. Please tell me what's wrong. I can't see you in pain. Seeing you in pain feels like someone is hurting me, like my heart is suffering, not yours. Tell me the truth. Please Shabbir." Pragya pleaded desperately.

Shabbir's heart broke more with each word she uttered. However, instead of showing grief, his anger took over. Its the only way he knew how to handle hurt and pain.

He snatched his wrist from her grip. "Why!? Why can't you just leave me at my state!? Why can't you just go away, be busy with your friends instead of being with an emotional mess like me? Why do you care so much!?"

"Because I love you!" Pragya screamed out, with tears in her eyes. "Yes, I love you damn it! I love you."

#Mount College#

Prasanth parked his car and was about to head in, when he saw Samay and Sumit rush out and head towards their bikes. They looked distressed.

"Oi! Idiots, what's wrong?"

"Sarla aunty called. She said that she could see some men in black suits around her house. They're trying to remain hidden, but she saw them."

"And you both think its a good idea to just stroll in there without any help? Its not some film where you can take down all those men. Get off you bikes and come with me. I need to tell Shekhar."

"No time. We need to reach there as fast as we can." However, Prasanth kept blocking their way. "Get away now!" They looked pissed off.

"Get off your bikes, or I'll ask Shekhar to take you both back to Mumbai. We will handle the situation from now on since you two are being so wreckless! Do you want me to do that?" Prasanth asked them with a glare. They wanted to argue, but relented and followed Prasanth to his car.

Abhi was heading out of the College when he saw them. He couldn't find Pragya anywhere and so thought of asking Samay or Sumit. However, he saw them come outside in a rush. He hurried towards them before they reached Prasanth's car.

"You say Sarla aunty is at home. But where's Bulbul?" Prasanth asked.

"She went back home an hour ago. I couldn't find Pragya anywhere." Sumit answered.

"Pragya is at Shabbir's apartment. Don't worry, she will be safe there." saying that, Prasanth started the car, unaware of the fact that Abhi reached near the car just in time to hear that little information.

'So there she is. I must leave this instant.' Abhi ran towards his car and drove off towards Shabbir's apartment. 'I'm finding out the truth today, no matter what!'

#With Pragya and Shabbir#

Shabbir looked on speechless at Pragya. The love of his life just confessed her love to him. He felt happiness like never before. He was about to tell her that he loved her more than anything as well. However, he remembered the circumstances.

He recalled why he couldn't be with her. Not only for his brother, but also for her safety. He felt happy that she confessed, but sad at the same time as he had to give her up.

He wanted to pull her close. But at the same time, he wanted to push her far away. He wanted to tell her that he loved her too, but knew he had to act like he didn't if he wanted to keep her safe.

He looked towards her face, which was full of hope and joy. He felt like the worst person on earth, knowing he would be the reason she would lose her smile now.

"I'm... I'm sorry Pragya, but I don't love you."

Pragya froze. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She was sure that she had seen the love in Shabbir's eyes for her. No way could he have mistaken it. "You... You're lying right? You're messing with me, right? I saw the love in your eyes. No way was I mistaken!"

"I don't know what you saw Pragya, but it wasn't anything like that."

Pragya could feel her heart breaking. "N-no... No you're lying. I'm... I'm sure I-"

"Oh come on Pragya! Why would I fall for a middle-class girl like you? I have lots of amazing, rich, beautiful fangirls after me. If I have to choose, I would choose one of them. Its funny that you even think you could give them a competition. In fact, you don't even matter to me. You're nothing but a pest." He spoke with a smirk.

However, with each word, he wanted to hit himself as hard as he could.

Pragya stumbled back in shock and hurt. Shabbir could see the pain that he was causing her. All he wanted to do was comfort her, hold her close and shield her from all the pain in the world.

'No! I must not forget my aim. I must keep her away. Besides, in a way, its good. Now, Abhi can be her hero, while I become the villain in this story.' He turned around so that she couldn't see the pain in his eyes and walked away.

Pragya turned towards him and shouted "So you never cared for me? Not even as a friend? Then how do you explain all the time we spent together!? How do-" she looked down as she couldn't continue. It was too much for her.

Shabbir took deep breath to compose himself and turned around with a smirk. "I still needed you to assist me in the competition, remember? That's the only reason I was nice to you. Besides, Aliyah wouldn't have performed if I treated you like trash. And you're helping us with the entire matter with the chip. That's why I'm tolerating you. Otherwise, I don't give a damn about girls like you."

Pragya could feel her heart shatter. Each word of Shabbir was like a needle to her heart. She clutched her heart in pain and closed her eyes to stop her tears from flowing, refusing to show her weakness to him.

Shabbir felt like someone was ripping out his heart seeing her state. He couldn't see her like his anymore and turned to leave. However, he noticed a red light falling on Pragya. He looked to the source to find a sniper pointing his gun at Pragya from a distance.

"Pragya, move!" However, she was too lost in her emotions. "Shit! Pragya!" Shabbir rushed forward, grabbed her and they both fell down on the ground.

Pragya opened her eyes to see what happened and gasped. Shabbir's shoulder was bleeding from a gunshot. "Sh-Shabbir!"

"Stupid girl! Why can't you ever listen to what I say?! You could have been hit if I didn't move you!"

Shabbir slowly got up with Pragya's help. He saw some men around the corner and his eyes widened. "Shit!"

He grabbed her hand and started running. After some time, they were able to lose those men and reach the main street. They hid in an alleyway.

"Shabbir, your shoulder's getting worse. We need to take you to a hospital."

"No. Not now. They might find us. Let some time pass. Besides, the bullet just grazed me. Its not that bad."

Pragya got up looking pissed. "Enough is enough Shabbir. Tell me the truth, now! If you don't love me, if you dont even think of me as a friend, then why did you save me!?"

"Hey, I'm a hero. Heroes do that in their free time. You know, all that saving a damsel in distress thing." He joked. 😆

However, Pragya continued glaring at him. Suddenly, she smirked. "So you don't care for me at all, right?"

"Nope. Absolutely not. No, nada, nande, nyet and no in any other language there exists."

"Fine then." She got away from the alley and into the open. "Hey! Whoever you are! Come and shoot me! I'm right here! 90 pound girl here! All flesh and meat and ready to be shot! Come on shoot me if you're a man! Come on bastard!"

Shabbir looked on with wide eyes and open mouth. Abruptly, he got up and tried to pull her into the alley. "What at you doing!? Come hide. Are you crazy or something!?" 😲

Pragya pushed him away. "Shut up and go hide. Its my life and I can do what I want with it! Let him shoot me!" She started screaming again.

"You can't die now! Now come hide!"

"I will if I want to. Leave me!"

"Stupid girl! Shut up and hide. You can't die. I won't let you die. Not until I'm alive!"

"Why!?"

"Because I love you!" Shabbir realized what he just said and looked on in horror at Pragya's smiling face.

Pragya grabbed him and took him towards the alley. "Finally you admitted. I love you too!" She said cheerfully.

"No... No no no. This can't be. We can't be together! I won't let us be together!"

"By why Shabbir!?"

"Because I know my brother loves you. I can't do this to him. Please Pragya, don't break his heart." At this, Pragya laughed out loud.

"Oh Shabbir, what shall I do with you? Me and Abhi already came to an understanding." Seeing Shabbir's confused face, she explained everything.

"And now, we are just best friends. He doesn't mind me being with you. If that's what had you worried, then it doesn't matter anymore. Now we can be together, right?" she asked, looking down with a blush.

Shabbir shook his head in frustration and turned away from her. "No no no. You don't understand what dangers I'm in. You don't know what threats there could be to you life if you're with me. I'm already in the mud. And I don't want to drag you into it as well. I-"

However, before he could complete his sentence, he felt someone turn him and felt a pressure on his lips.

It took him a moment to realize the fact that Pragya had kissed him. He blinked with wide open eyes. Slowly, Pragya broke the kiss and moved back with a smile. "You talk too much Shabbir."

"Did you... You just... How could... " Shabbir stuttered while Pragya laughed at his shock. She came near and entwined her fingers with his.

"Listen here and listen clearly Shabbir Mehra. I, Pragya Arora, is smitten in your love and now that I know you feel the same, I won't let you escape me that easily. No matter what troubles awaits me, I'm ready to face them beside you. And you don't dare try to take that right from me. Got it?"

Shabbir looked at her pointedly. Slowly, he let out a small smile and gripped her hand firmly. "You're sure stubborn aren't you?"

"Found you." Both of them looked up to find six men approaching them. They looked ready to kill.

Shabbir pushed Pragya begin him and slowly they both started backing away from the men.

"Oh no! What do we do? Even Purab's not with us and you're useless when it comes to fighting!" Pragya panicked.

"Oi! Give me some credit. I could have taken them down if it was only three or two of them. How could I take out six alone? I'm not some Khalli or Thangabali! No one can take down six men alone! Its impossible."

"There you are." They looked at the other direction to see a familiar face, casually leaning against the wall.

"I had been searching for you Pragya. Wher-" Abhi peeked behind them and saw the six men. "Friends of yours?"

"No way! They want to harm us."

"Is that so?" Abhi came and stopped before Shabbir and Pragya. He opened his glasses, put them in his pocket and looked towards the six men with a smirk. "Hello boys. Wanna play?" 😏

After sometime...

Only grunts and groans could be heard from the men as they lay on the ground, bloody and beaten. Abhi dusted off his clothes and put on his glasses.

Pragya and Shabbir looked on in awe. Pragya's face scrunched up in anger and she hit Shabbir on the head. "Why didn't you learn fighting like your twin? 'No one can fight so many men alone' you said. 'Its impossible' you said. Look now!"

"I got the better looks and voice, no?" Shabbir wriggled his eyebrows at her.

"Could you be anymore ridiculous!? Actually, don't even answer that." 😑

"Hey, quit insulting me. Go be with him if yo-ow! That hurt damn it!"

"It was meant to! Say that again and this time I'll punch ya!" 😠

They both stopped shouting at each other once Abhi came near them. "Shabbir, I know you're working with dad. And I know you're helping him Pragya. Now, no more lies, no more deceptions. You both will tell me the truth!"

Shabbir and Pragya looked at each other, not knowing what to do.

Finally Pragya spoke. "He's right Shabbir. Enough of lies and secrets. It only ruin relations, like it almost ended ours before it even began. Its time to let everything out in the open."

Shabbir sighed in defeat. "Alright. Lets go to my apartment first. We'll talk there."

Abhi nodded and took out his phone. "There are some more people that need to be here."

#Shabbir's apartment#

Karan, Aliyah, Kriti, Vivek and Abhi stood on one side, listening to everything that was being explained to them.

On the other side, Pragya, Purab, Shabbir and Mr. Mehra sat, from where they were explaining everything. In between them, the chip sat innocently on the table, like it was the most harmless thing in the galaxy.

Aliyah sighed and spoke up. "So dad, basically you mean to say that you, Raj Pratap and Alok Singhania made the chip. But Alok betrayed you and killed Raj. No one knew the chip was with you after that, but five years ago someone found out, as did Shabbir? That's why my bhai kept himself away from us? To protect us and the chip?"

Shabbir smiled. "Feels good to hear you call me bhai again, Princess."

"Shut up! I'm still pissed at you!" Aliyah shouted at him. He raised his hands in surrender.

Aliyah continued when Mr. Mehra nodded. "And you also won't destroy the chip, even when it is a threat to all our lives, just because of some promise you mad to you best friend!? Don't you care about our lives! Is that chip more importnat than all of us?"

"Raj died for me Aliyah. I'm alive and standing before you only because of him. I have to give the chip to his sons."

"And that's why you were looking for the Prataps. Now it makes sense!" Kriti exclaimed, happy that finally she was able to figure out the puzzle.

Vivek signaled her to keep quiet as he saw the grim face of Abhi. Vivek looked at Karan and found him looking towards him.

"Get ready to get the girls out if a fight breaks out." whispered Karan. Vivek nodded.

Karan looked at Abhi. He didn't know what Abhi was going to do, but it didn't look like he would forgive his father and brother for hiding the truth that easily.

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To be continued...

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~ 🌹 Mona 🌹