Good afternoon!
Hey, I wanted to ask if there were any fics on Arya alone. I can't seem to find them...

Anyways, Onwards!!!

"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

(Words in braces) - Telephone conversations

Chapter 16 - Party Night (Part 2)

"PRAGYA!"

Everyone present at the party was startled by Abhi's shout. Even Pragya herself looked at Abhi in shock.

She and Abhi decided to take a break from dancing and came to stand at the side. She felt thirsty and so Abhi left to get two glasses of juice for himself and her.

However, now she saw him drop the glasses and was rushing towards her at great speed. 'Why is he beh-' suddenly, she heard a 'creak' and looked above, only to freeze in shock. She saw the chandelier about to fall on her. She closed her eyes expecting the impact. However, she felt someone grab her and pull her away. She opened her eyes to see Abhi's face right before her.

They were so close that she could feel his breath on her lips. She could clearly see the worry and concern in his eyes for her. As they stood there staring into each other's eyes, it was as if they were in a world of their own. They were finally broken out of their trance by the people clapping for Abhi.

"Our rock star isn't just the king of many hearts, but a real life hero as well." The crowd was in cheers for Abhi, while the fangirls were glaring at Pragya for being in their Rockstar's arms.

"Pragya! Pragya are you alright?" asked Tanuja, as she and the rest of the sisters came forward towards Pragya. The boys came to stand beside them as well.

"I'm fine Tanuja Di. Abhi saved me." Pragya smiled towards him. "Thank you Abhi. You saved my life."

Abhi smiled back at her. "No need of thanks. After all, I only saved my own heart." he responded, making her blush.

"You scared us to death Pragya Di!" exclaimed Swara. Both she and Ragini hugged Pragya tightly.

"Aww...Ragu, Swara. I'm fine! Nothing happened, alright? You worry too much."

"Of course we worry! What if it had fallen on you huh!?"

"As if Abhi would let that happen." Sanskar spoke as he ruffled Ragini's hair. "Your Pragya di is in safe hands."

"Hey! You're ruining my hair." Ragini pushed him. Sanskar pushed her back playfully. Ragini narrowed her eyes and pushed as hard as she could. Sanskar would have fallen down, if it wasn't for Laksh holding him upright.

Rishi chuckled. "Never judge a book by its cover Sanky. She may look tiny, but can give you one hell of a punch."

"Sanky is right. Nothing can happen to Pragya as long as I'm alive Ragu. Don't worry." Abhi spoke in utter seriousness.

Arjun looked at him surprised. He hadn't ever seen Abhi look this serious. In fact, he didn't think Abhi had the capacity to be more serious than a sixteen year old. 'Guess love does that to people. You sure surprised me bro.' He thought with a smile. However, what shocked him most was Maya.

Maya went and pulled Pragya into a hug. She didn't speak anything, but held onto Pragya tightly, as if making sure that she was still there, alive and breathing. It was as if she feared Pragya would disappear if she let go.

After a moment, she broke the hug. "Do you have to attract trouble everywhere you go? Can't you just be safe for once!? What is with you and trouble? How could you be so careless?!"

To others, it would seem that she was being a heartless person. But the sisters knew it was Maya's worry which was showing itself as her anger. Pragya simply pulled Maya into another hug. "Maya. Calm down Maya. I'm fine. I'm fine Maya."

Arjun looked on shocked. 'I thought she didn't care about her sisters. Then what is all this drama? Is this for the media? But Maya Malhotra doesn't care about the media. So why? Why show she cares when she said she doesn't?'

"Oh my! Your dress!" said a voice from behind them. It was an old lady, who came near Pragya and pointed to her dress. "Its torn at the knee."

Pragya looked down and indeed her dress had a rip near her knee. It had gotten stuck on the edge of the table when Abhi had abruptly pulled her away. "Oh no! You're right ma'am."

Abhi went near the old lady. "Don't call her ma'am Pragya. She is my Dadi."

"And I'm his best friend Purab and this is Dasi." spoke Purab, as he came near with Indu. Soon Abhi introduced them properly to the sisters.

Sanskar paid them no mind. He was looking at the fallen chandelier with narrowed eyes. 'How could it fall so suddenly? I doubt this was an accident. Only one way to find out!' He left the others to begin his investigation, not noticing the fact that Swara was following right behind him.

"Pragya, you can't keep wearing it in front of all these people. Come with me. I will give you a dress to wear." Dasi spoke, pulling her away before Pragya could protest.

Purab whispered to Dadi. "Dadi, I think Dasi will give her one of Aliyah's dresses. But isn't this a perfect opportunity to see what she would look like as Abhi's wife? I mean, its clear Abhi likes her."

"You're right Purab. Come with me. I need your help to make a solid plan." she excused herself and Purab, and went away.

Abhi looked at them go, confused. He knew that his Dadi loved talking. 'Then why did she leave so abruptly?' He was broken out of his thoughts by Ragini.

"Hey! Time to fulfill your promise. You must introduce me to Karan Khan."

"My secret is already out. Everyone knows I like Pragya now. Our deal is no longer valid." Abhi said with a victorious smile.

"That's right Abhi. No need to keep her promise now." Laksh added. He was glad that Ragini won't get to meet that Karan-whoever. 'That good-for-nothing flop actor. So what if he won five Best Actor Awards? I bet he bribed the jury.'

"A promise is a promise Abhi! If you're a man, you will keep your promise!"

Abhi looked at her with a pout. "Now that is just blackmail!"

"Don't pay attention to her irrational arguments Abhi. Just say no."

"Shut it Laksh. Abhi, if you don't keep your promise than you aren't a man!" Ragini shouted.

"Now that is just a ridiculous reason! Don't do it Abhi!" Laksh shouted louder than her.

"You better introduce me to Karan or I'll sit here and scream out my lungs, crying. Lets see if Pragya Di forgives you for that!"

"You...you wouldn't." Abhi spoke with uncertainty. There was no way she would do that in front of the guests, would she?

Ragini looked at him with an extra sweet smile. "You still doubt my capacity, future jiju?"

"Ugh! Fine! Come with me."

"What the hell? Abhi no! Abhi wait! Abhi...Abhi!" Laksh shouted as he saw Abhi and Ragini leave. He would have followed them, if it wasn't for Kavya arriving at the moment. 'Aaa! Monster!'

"Laksh! Why did you leave me all of a sudden!?"

Laksh looked helplessly towards his brother. Arjun glared back. It was as if the brothers were having a silent conversation through their eyes. Finally, Arjun sighed. 'The things I do for you little brother.' He went near Kavya and put forward his hand. "I'm a little hurt. Ever since you came back, you haven't spent even a moment with me Kavya. Did you forget all about me?"

"It's not that Arjun. I ju-"

"Yea, yea, I know you like Laksh. But I am your childhood friend too, aren't I? Lets go and have a drink together. For old times sake?"

All Kavya wanted was to scream out at Arjun for ruining her time with Laksh. However, she still had to keep up the image if being a goody-two-shoes in front of Laksh's family. "Of course. Lets go!"

The moment they left, Laksh escaped to find Ragini.

Rishi smiled at their antics. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Maya move to the side, looking towards something with a grim face. It seemed she still hadn't recovered from the shock. He went and approached her. "Hey, you can let go of the matter now. Pragya is alright, isn't she?" Maya didn't speak, but nodded silently.

"Wow! You're Maya Malhotra! Owner of Glam Town! I'm such a big fan!" shouted a girl. Soon, Maya was surrounded by the paparazzi and other models there.

Usually, Maya had no difficulty handling such crowds. But now, she was in a distressed state and they were only suffocating her more.

Someone from the crowd tried to grab her hand, only to have his hand grabbed in mid air by Rishi. "She isn't in the mood to talk. Can't you see?"

"Mr. Bedi, I wa-"

"If you all do not leave us this instant, I will ask Abhi to throw you all out." At once, all of them went away. After all, no one wanted to mess with a pissed of Rishi Bedi.

Maya looked at Rishi gratefully.

"That was amazing Rishi." Tanuja spoke with a smile coming near them. She had seen everything.

"I told you. Your sisters are also my responsibility now." He motioned towards the bar. "I know you both don't drink, but lets go have a coke. I can also get some business tips from you Maya. I could really use some advice." Maya nodded and the three of them moved towards the bar.

Tanuja kept on looking at Rishi lovingly as she walked. 'You really are something Rishi. Maya would have never agreed to have us defend her throughout the party. Her pride wouldn't let her. But you found the perfect way to keep her our of trouble without making her angry.'

#With Ragini and Abhi#

"Yo Karan. How are you?"

"Abhi, my bro! How are you? So sorry dude. I got caught up talking to my fans here an-"

"Its okay bro. No need to explain. I know how crazy they could get." Abhi felt Ragini nudge him. 'I think Ragu is the sole reason the word 'impatient' had been invented.'

"Karan, I would like to introduce you to Ragini. She's a big fan of yours."

Karan looked at Ragini who stood beside Abhi, looking at him shyly through her eyelashes. 'Cute. She looks like a gentle soul, one who doesn't talk much. I better not overwhelm her. Or else she might get scared and nervous.'

Karan put forward his hand for her to shake. "Hello Ragini. I'm Karan. I no-"

Ragini at once grabbed his hand with a big grin and shook it vigorously.

"I know! You're my favourite actor! You don't know how much of a big fan I am of yours! I have watched each and every film of yours over and over again. I even remember your dialogues! And that jump scene you did on the latest movie!? It was simply mind-blowing! And the songs of that film are amazing as well. I heard you like dogs? I like them as well! Our choices are so similar, aren't they?! I still can't believe you're standing here right in front of me! I-"

Abhi sweat-dropped as Ragini went on yapping. 'Is she even breathing in between?' 😅

He looked towards Karan to find him looking at Ragini with an open mouth and wide eyes. 'Poor guy. I bet he never thought she would turn out to be a ticking bomb in the disguise of a mini craaker.' Abhi snickered, but abruptly shut up when he saw Karan glare at him.

Ragini felt someone grab her arm and pull her away from Karan. "You're coming with me."

"How rude! Let go Laksh. I was talking to my idol!"

"So your name is Laksh, eh?" asked Karan with a smile. However, his smile faltered on seeing Laksh glare at him. 'He looks like he is trying to vaporize me with his glare of death. What did I do?'

"Yea so? You got a problem with that?"

Ragini abruptly broke free of Laksh's grip and went to stand in front of Karan. "How dare you talk to him like that?!"

Karan poked her arm. "Is he your friend, Ragini?"

"I'm not only her friend. I'm her boyfriend." Laksh answered in anger.

Ragini looked on with wide eyes. 'He said he isn't before and now...now he says he is? Why is he do-' at once her face turned into one of anger from confusion. 'Now I get it! He doesn't want me to become friends with Karan. He fears that I would become more popular than him. That is why he is being rude to Karan while calling me his girlfriend. So that Karan hates me because of him and I never get the chance to be famous! Ooooo this hypocrite!'

"I'm not your girlfriend! Go away!"

"Yes you are."

"No I am not! Go be with your brown haired bimbo! Let me be with my Karan." She spoke while slinging an arm around Karan's.

Laksh's mouth opened in shock and indignation. 'My Karan? My Karan?! MY KARAN?!'

Poor Karan just stood there looking clueless, while Abhi looked like he would piss his pants trying to hold his laughter. Someone tapped his shoulder. It was Alia, who was looking at him quizically. Tanu was standing beside her. He just shook his head and told to watch everything play out.

"You said it yourself that I am your boyfriend!" Laksh reasoned.

"But then you said she isn't." spoke Kavya, as she came near. She successfully managed to leave Arjun at the bar with an excuse.

"Yea, the hag is right. She's your girlfriend. Go away, shoo!" Ragini spoke, pissed off. She wasn't willing to forgive Laksh easily.

"No she isn't!"

"You accepted me as your girlfriend, Laksh? I feel so happy!" Kavya hugged Laksh. She was probably the only happy soul midst the world war going on.

Before Laksh could say anything, Abhi jumped into the conversation. "Why are you acting like this Laksh? I thought you didn't want Ragini as your girlfriend. Then what's this? Have you finally accepted the truth?"

"Its nothing like that! Its...its just that...that..." Laksh stuttered as he tried to come up with an excuse. "Its just that I hate lies. She called me her boyfriend and so she shouldn't back down from it! That's it! I have no interest in being her boyfriend. Kavya is better than her." He said while putting an arm around Kavya.

"Then feel happy that I don't want you as my man anymore!" Ragini spoke with flicking her hair in his face and turning to Karan. "So! Where were we?" Soon, she got busy conversing with Karan. Well, more like a one sided conversation, since she rarely gave a chance for Karan to speak.

Laksh just kept looking on in anger. Abhi could see the imaginary smoke coming out of his ears and nose.

#With Sanskar#

Sanskar grabbed the rope with which the chandelier had been tied. He watched the end where it broke off.

"Sanskar? What are you doing up here?" Swara asked once she got near him. She had followed him all the way there.

"Swara, look at this." He showed her the rope. "This didn't just come loose. It was purposefully cut with a knife."

Swara gasped. "You mean...you mean someone wanted to harm Pragya Di?!"

"I think so."

"But Sanskar, they may have miscalculated. After all, who could be here that would want to harm Pragya di, to the extent of killing her?"

"No. I don't think they miscalculated. They timed it perfectly. They dropped it when Pragya was right under it, without Abhi or anyone near."

Swara held a hand over her mouth in shock. "Then...then we must tell Tanuja Di and Maya Di about it."

"Not now. I need to be absolutely sure first. Let me investigate further."

"I'll help." she saw Sanskar about to protest. "Don't even dare refuse my help. Its my sister's life that is in danger. I'm helping and that's it!"

"Fine fine. But right now, we should go back to the party. We don't want anyone to doubt us."

Swara nodded and they both moved from there. "By the way, are you sure we shouldn't tell my sisters and your friends about it?"

"Yes. It may turn out to be my delusion. I don't want to worry them for nothing. Besides, if Maya finds out that I worried her for nothing, she will have my head on a platter."

"Why do you all think of my Di as Hitler?" 😑

"Are you kidding me? She isn't Hitler. She's worse than him! In fact, I think she can give Hitler a run for his money."

"Want me to tell Di?" 😒

"Maya is an angel! Don't let anyone tell otherwise!" exclaimed Sanskar, fearing for his life. 😇

#With Maya#

*Aachoo!* Maya sniffed and blinked her eyes. 'That was unexpected. I wonder who is talking about me.' she sat at the bar, while Tanuja and Rishi went to chat with Rishi's parents.

"God bless." she heard Arjun speak. He had come with a girl to the bar. Someone she didn't recognize. Seeing them together, it irked Maya to no end, although she couldn't figure out why. She seemed calm on the outside like always. But inside her mind, her ego was throwing curses at the girl.

The girl had eventually dumped Arjun's company and left. That moment, the little Maya in her head started doing a victory dance.

"Didn't you say I was your problem earlier? I'm surprised your taking to me Arjun."

"Shows how desperate I am to get rid of my boredom." 😩

Maya simply rolled her eyes and got back to thinking about what happened earlier. At first, she had also thought that the chandelier incident was an accident. However, her blood turned cold when she saw Samay amongst the guests. He was smirking. It didn't take a genius to know what that meant.

'How dare he?! How dare he go near them!? I told him that I don't care, but still he ha-.... Wait a minute! Was he...was he testing me?!'

Maya abruptly got up, shocking Arjun. 'Samay! You think you can outsmart Maya Malhotra!?' At the exact moment, Maya saw Samay move out of the hall with a salute towards her. She followed behind him in anger.

Arjun straightened up. He contemplated whether to follow her or not. 'She looked ready to kill. I wonder which poor soul is about to get a taste of Maya's wrath.' He got up to follow her. 'Whoever it may be, it will be fun to watch him cower in front of her then sitting here getting bored. Thanks for the entertainment buddy. I'll be sure to bring you flowers once Maya kills you.'

#With Laksh and Ragini#

Laksh fumed silently as he saw Ragini get buddy-buddy with Karan. He saw Karan take Ragini's hand and kiss it. 'That's it! Get ready to face Dracula, Karan!' Laksh managed to push Kavya away and stomped towards Ragini. Abhi paused his conversation with Aliyah and Tanu to look at him. "Lets go near them. The fun is about to begin!"

Laksh grabbed Ragini's arm and pulled her near him. "I've had enough. You're mine and I don't like others laying hands on what is mine."

Ragini looked shocked at his words. His eyes showed his possessiveness, his jealousy, but most of all...she could see that he meant it when he called her his.

Ragini looked at him in awe. 'Finally...'

Laksh walked to towards Kavya while holding Ragini's wrist behind him. "I'm sorry Kavya, but I don't love you. I kept quiet only because of my promise to Maa. But I can't hide the truth anymore. I'm sorry. Now please shut the hell up and piss off. And this is me being polite."

Kavya looked angry, as well as insulted. "I'll...I'll tell Vandana aunty about how rude her son was to me! You just wait!" saying that, she left.

Laksh sighed and turned to look at Ragini. He wanted to give her a piece of his mind for getting close to Karan. However, when he turned around, he found that it wasn't Ragini, but Alia's wrist that he was holding. "Wha....how...when..."

"Ahahaha...you've got a tough one bro. She won't fall for you that easily." 😂

Laksh sighed, smacking his head on Abhi's shoulder repeatedly. "Why me?! Why? Why?!" 😭

"Ahahaha... Don't get me wrong dude. I may be laughing on the outside, but I'm crying on the inside for you." 😂

"Yea, I know how much you're crying." Laksh spoke with a glare towards him.

"My blessings are with you Lucky. Good luck catching Ragini."

"Shyyyyaaaat up!"

******************************
To be continued...

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~ 🌹 Mona 🌹