Hoping a positive response. 😊

Anyway...Onwards!!!

"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

Chapter 3 - Reunited Again

(Two years after the Pragya and her family left Rohini and settled in Pune.)

Pragya, Bulbul, Samay - 18 years

Manish, Abhi - 21 years

Arnav - 30 years

Khushi - 28 years

'Be it Delhi or Pune....Panipuris will always be my favorite treat.' Pragya concluded as she enjoyed her panipuris. "Bhaiya ji. Thora aur teekha kar dijiye please..."

"Prags! Prags help! Save me from this demon!" Manish, her elder brother, came out screaming from their home onto the street.

"Demon? DEMON!? How dare you call me a demon you Ape!" screamed a girl of the same age as Pragya.

"Prags save me please! Exorcise this demon with some voodoo." Mani exclaimed, hiding behind Pragya.

Pragya rolled her eyes. "Mani, man up. Besides, she is just Bulbul being her usual crazy self. Quit calling her a demon."

The one called Bulbul snorted in a unlady like manner. "He's nothing but a coward. Why does he even go to the gym when he can't even protect himself from a girl?!" Bulbul sneered, flipping her hair over her shoulder. 

After arriving at Pune, Bulbul was her first friend. Soon the two became so close as if they were long lost sisters.
Bulbul was a happy-go-lucky girl with a short temper. All the boys in college wanted her as their girlfriend, but Bulbul just scoffed at them. According to her they were just 'hairless apes who are good for nothing.' Bulbul never listened to anyone, except her elder sister. Only her elder sister Tanuja could bring Bulbul under control.

"Hey ! don't insult my biceps. Besides, they are meant to fight real men, not crazy witches like you!" Mani sneered back in arrogance.

"Why you dolt!" Bulbul picked up the knife that the panipuri vendor was using to cut the onions.

"Bloody murder! Prags help!" Mani squeaked out.

"Hahaha.. O Mani..... Bulbul stop it already, or you'll give him a heart attack." said Pragya amidst her laughter.

"And me t-t-too" the panipuri vendor squeaked out timidly in fright. " Can I have the knife bac-c-ck beti." He stuttered out.

Bulbul gave a sheepish look and returned the knife. The vendor wasted no time in escaping from that place. His life was more valuable. Moreover, he wanted to be able to sell panipuri another day.

"Aww...I think he won't be coming back here again. A pity...he made the best panipuris." Pragya sighed in disappointment. "All because of you two!"

"Awww..I'm sorry Pragya." Bulbul guiltily apologized.

Pragya glared at her. However, she chuckled after a few moments in good humor. "Hehe..don't worry Bulbul. Didn't you see his face. He was so scared. Hahaha..."

"I guess it was funny." Bulbul joined in the laughter.

"Now you scare random people too, you..you Naagin!" Mani piped in, ruining Bulbul's good mood.

"Mani!" Bulbul picked up a stone from the ground "Run for your life Mani. Mwhahaha!"

"Bulbul stop it already." Pragya shook her head with a smile.

"No way!"

"Oh come on you two! Grow up already!" Pragya chided. "Why do you always have to fight? Must you hit him with that stone?"

"Don't worry Pragya. Your brother won't die from this stone. Besides, its not like there is anything useful in his brain."

"Well at least I have one!" Mani shouted back.

"Well, now say goodbye to it!" shouted Bulbul as she chased after Mani.

Pragya shook her head at their antics. She still remembers the day when Bulbul met her brothers.

(flashback)

"I'm home! Arnav bhai, Manish bhai, come quick. I want you to meet my friend Bulbul Arora."

Arnav came out to greet the new guest. "So you're Bulbul. I've heard a lot about you and your dancing from Pragya. It's nice to finally meet you." he extended his hand for her to shake.

"Wow! Pragya, how come you never told me that your brother was so handsome. " Bulbul joked, shaking his hand.

"Bulbul! " Pragya exclaimed in embarrassment.

Bulbul put a hand over her mouth. "Oops! sorry Arnav. I mean bro... I mean Arnav bhai!" Bulbul stumbled over her own words.

Arnav stared at her. Pragya thought he would be irritated. However, he soon burst out laughing. "Pragya, you weren't lying when you said that Bulbul doesn't have a brain-to-mouth filter. You really need to think before you speak Bulbul." he joked.

Bulbul flushed from embarrassment.

Pragya tried to change the topic to save her. "um...bhai where is Mani? "

"He is at Kartik's shop."

"Okay. Bulbul, come on! I'll introduce him to you. See you later Arnav bhai." saying so, Pragya grabbed Bulbul's wrist and pulled her along.

#At Kartik's shop#

Kartik looked up as she heard footsteps stop before his shop.

"Hi Kartik! Arnav bhai told me that Mani is here with you?"

"Hey Pragya and...?" he looked at the other girl quizzically.

"Oh. This is my friend Bulbul."

"Hi!" Bulbul exclaimed in a chirpy tone.

"Hello Bulbul." Kartik acknowledged. "And as for your brother Pragya, he's over there." Kartik pointed out, signaling towards the road with his eyes.

"I see. Thanks Kartik." she walked upto Mani with Bulbul right behind her. "Mani I-"

"Shhh Pragya. Can't you see I'm busy?" he replied without turning to face them.

"Eh? Busy? All I can see is you looking down the road."

"Yes. Its the time when the prettiest girls pass by this road after their coaching classes." Mani giggled like a teenager. "There they are! Wow! All are pretty. Pragya, which one do you think would be right for me? Handsome hunk me!"

Pragya gave an awkward smile towards Bulbul. 'Mani, wait till I tell this to Arnav bhai. You're embarrassing me in front of Bulbul!' thought Pragya.

"STRIKE!! That girl is perfect for me! Don't you think Pragya?" Mani questioned, finally facing Pragya and Bulbul.

"Yea, she is quite a beauty, but I don't think she would choose a loser like you." Bulbul commented.

Mani looked at her dumbfounded. "Are you calling me a loser?!" exclaimed Mani.

Bulbul nodded meticulously. "Yep. Because this is exactly what losers do. Pass their time chasing girls as they can't do anything useful."

Pragya was panicking on the inside. 'Bulbul! Oh Bulbul, please stop. I really need you to not be so outspoken. You need to control your thoughts sometimes.' Pragya really didn't want an argument between her brother and best friend.

"Haven't you heard of the Raizada industries? I'm the head of the textile department." Mani boasted with pride.

"I bet you just sit their catching flies while Arnav bhai and the others do all the work." Bulbul retorted back.

"How dare you?! I think you're just jealous that I don't find you beautiful enough to be my match." Mani taunted, while blowing a strand of hair out of his eyes.

"As if i would want to date an ape like you!" Bulbul fired back.

Mani looked at her with an open mouth. Once the shock wore off, he glared at her. "Ape? How dare you call me an ape ...you...you witch!"

"Witch?! You did not just call me that!"

"Yes I did! An old and ugly witch!" Mani said, smirking.

"HOW DARE YOU!" Bulbul lunged at Mani, grabbed his hair and pulled as hard as she could.

"Ouch! Ow! Get away! leave my hair! Prags! Prags help! Kartik help. Help me!" shouted Mani in pain.

But Pragya and Kartik were too busy laughing at his condition. "You brought this on yourself Mani bhai."

"You beast! leave me!" Mani managed to get away from Bulbul and hid behind Pragya. "Prags stop laughing. It wasn't funny! She's an abomination!"

"No. She's just a 90 pound girl. And you're acting like a sissy." Kartik teased.

"Agreed." Pragya high-fived him.

Manish glared at both of them.

"Not funny damn it!"

They stopped laughing at his serious tone.

Kartik finally spoke. "You're right Mani. It wasn't funny, right Pragya?" Kartik said in a serious tone. However, he soon snickered as he looked at Pragya. "It wasn't funny, but down right hilarious!" with that they both broke out into hysterics once again.

"Guys. Stop laughing already!" whined Mani.

"That would teach you not to call me witch again you ape!" Bulbul shouted from nearby.

"Alright Naagin! Now quit spitting poison!" Mani screamed back, while glaring at Bulbul.

Bulbul's eye twitched at being called Naagin, but she refrained from doing anything as she saw Arnav coming near.

(flashback ends)

Since then, Mani and Bulbul have always fought like cat and mouse.

Bulbul was really wild, the completely opposite of Pragya. Yet, they were best friends. Bulbul was the first real friend that she had made in Pune. Bulbul Arora was able to make her smile again and forget her past to some extent.

Not only her, but Bulbul's sister was also was a blessing to their family. Bulbul's elder sister, Khushi breathed life into Arnav again. Arnav was completely shattered after Sheets's death. But Khushi managed to join each part of his broken heart and bring him to life again. She taught him how to live again.

At first, Arnav feared that Khushi would leave him too. He refused to admit his feelings because he didn't want his heart broken again. But the Arora sisters were really scary when they were angry.

Khushi is a kind, humble and shy lady. But when Arnav refused to man up, she took him to the beach and proposed to him. Not to mention how she literally told him that she knows he loves her. She told him that he should quit being a sissy and admit it already. Poor Arnav just nodded his head with his mouth open in shock.

They would soon be married soon in a month's time. With Khushi's entry into his life, Arnav was able to move on and find happiness again...one which he never expected of finding again.

'They would be married soon. And I can't wait to be an aunt!' Pragya thought in glee.

"Prags...Pragya!" Arnav repeated. He had already called her once. 'What is she thinking of?'

"Huh....Yes bhai?" she didn't realize her bhai had come there. "What is it bhai?"

"Nothing... It's just you've been smiling for no reason while staring ahead. " reasoned Arnav, looking at her in worry and confusion.

"Arnav bhai!" came Mani running towards him. "Bhai I just got an important call from the office." Mani's face became serious. "I don't think you'll like the news."

"What news? "

"Remember Mr. Malkhani told us about a company called A. M industries?"

"Yes. He said that it was a company that rose in power last year because of its owner. Malkhani reported that the owner was a only 21, but already took the A. M industries to great heights. I'm looking forward to a deal with this company. It will be quite profitable for our company. For both our companies actually."

"Bhai, the thing is..." Mani hesitated while speaking. "The owner of A. M industries is non other than Abhi Mehra."

Arnav's eyes widened upon hearing this.

Pragya, on the other hand, didn't know what to feel. She didn't know how to react. On one hand, she was happy for her best friends for being successful. But on the other hand, it brought back many painful memories. 'Why? Why now!? When everything was going right. When I was finally able to move forward, when I was finally able to accept that I won't meet them again...why did this have to happen now?' Pragya's mind filled up with many questions.

"So he even named the company after him." Spit out Arnav scathingly.

"A. M stands for Ananya Mehra, not Abhi. Ananya was Shweta Di's nickname. One she liked a lot. Unlike you, some people value their dear ones." came a voice from behind.

The three Raizada siblings looked behind to see a guy standing there with a smirk.

He was wearing designer clothes, radiating an aura of confidence and arrogance. It was Abhishek Mehra.

Besides him, there was another guy of Pragya's age wearing a simple shirt and black jeans, but looking like a celeb. He had changed from that scrawny 16 year old, but Pragya could still recognize Samay.

Two years in between seemed have done them good. They had both grown quite handsome. 'Get your mind out of the gutter Pragya! ' Pragya mentally scolded herself.

Abhi cane closer and smirked at Arnav. "Don't look so shocked Raizada. After all, you always used to tell Sheets Di that I had great potential in business. It's only natural I succeeded."

"What are both of you doing here damn it!? If you're here for the deal, then you can go back. I've changed my mind about it and I'm not signing it." Arnav shouted in anger.

"Chill old man, it's true that Sanky was here for the deal, but Maa wanted to visit Masi ji. Unfortunately, Dad injured himself at Masi's house and now we need to delay our return. " explained Samay while fixing his hair.

"Did you just call Arnav bhai 'old man'?! You ignorant brat!" exclaimed Mani.

Samay just smirked. "I didn't know you lost your hearing capacity Mani."

"How da-"

"Mani stop. Abhi you should go home to your father and look after him. Leave." warned Arnav.

"We'll leave... After you sign the deal that is." Abhi stated firmly.

Arnav grit his teeth in anger. "I told you. I'm not signing any deal with you!"

"Arnav, both you and I run two well known business enterprises. And if we collaborate, both companies will profit from it. I thought you were a pro in business. But here you are bringing personal matters in between. You can't even keep your personal life out of your professional work. Some business man you are Raizada." mocked Abhi.

"Don't try to teach me! I was signing deals when you were holding crayons and drawing doodles!"

"Then why are you so afraid of signing the deal which profits us both? Or are you feeling insecure that A. M will put the Raizada enterprises behind?" taunted Samay, laying the bait. He knew Arnav never backed down from a challenge before. 'I'm hoping he hasn't changed that trait in these two years.'

Mani understood their game. "Bhai don't listen to them. He's egging you on."

"I'll sign the deal. Meet me at my office tomorrow. " saying this, Arnav went away.

Mani rushed after him, trying to convince him to rethink his decision.

Pragya was left with Abhi and Samay.

There was an awkward silence in the area.

She looked up at them with sorrow. Once they used to be her best friends and she always had something to tell them. Now, she wanted to ask them a lot of questions. She wanted to ask them how they were, how was Shikha Maa, their Papa, what happened in the two years, how much did they change. But standing there in front of them, no words came out of her mouth.

It was Samay who finally broke the silence. "Hello Pragya. How have you been? "

"I.. I'm fine. W-what about both of you?"

"Pragya you don't need to be on the edge while taking to us. We know you told Maa that you were leaving for your studies. But we knew there was some other reason behind it. " Samay stated with a wry smile.

"Abhi I-"

"No need to explain anything. Whatever reason it was, it doesn't matter anymore. I've decided to forget whatever happened  two years ago between the Raizadas and the Mehras. I've buried the hatchet. Shweta Di wouldn't want us to be enemies. She considered you guys family!" Abhi stated with a genuine smile.

"And family forgives one another, no?" continued Samay.

Pragya was close to tears now, but she had a smile on her face. She feared that Abhu and Samay would accuse her and never want to be friends with her again. But here they were being so understanding.

"I've missed my best friend for two years. Don't I get a hug from her now?" teased Samay.

"Don't forget me!" Abhi added.

"Only if you call me Chashmish like you used to and let me call you Abhi." She replied with a smile as she moved forward to hug both of them.

"Pragya! Where's Mani!? " came Bulbul's voice from behind as she rushed there.

"Bulbul, come here. I want you to meet Abhi and Samay."

"Hi!" Bulbul greeted them. "So Pragya. Which one is your boyfriend?"

Pragya turned beet red at her words. "Bulbul! They are my friends. None of them are my boyfriend."

"Well.. Ahem!" Samay cleared his throat "I'm a handsome guy, and you've grown to be such a pretty lady, I wouldn't mind dating you Pragya." Samay teased with a wink.

"Oooooo... Pragya. He totally likes you." giggled Bulbul.

Pragya just rolled her eyes. "Don't fall for his words. Samay was a flirt since 8th grade. I've lost count over how many hearts he has broken."

"Well, what to do? I can't just sacrifice all this handsomeness to one single girl." Samay said wiggling his eyebrows.

"Wow... Another Mani. As if one wasn't enough!" exclaimed Bulbul in irritation.

"Huh? Mani never had a luck with the ladies. I ,on the other hand, could get any girl I want."

"Pragya doesn't seem fazed by it.  Neither do I." said Bulbul flipping her hair over her shoulder.

Samay clutched his heart. "Oh! You hurt me. It feels like you just shattered my heart." Samay acted dramatically.

"Good. Now take those shattered pieces and scram. Pragya and I need to go practice for the competition at college."

'Wow. She's really harsh. Samay beta, I think you just met someone of your league. She isn't gonna fall for you like the other bimbos in college.' thought Abhi, looking at them in amusement.

"Competition?"

"Yep!"

'Pragya's going to sing, I'm sure. Its been a long time since I heard her sing. I don't want to miss her performance.' thought Samay.

Maybe it's because Pragya never fall for him when they were teens, maybe it was because she knew the real him, maybe because she was pure from the heart...whatever it was, Pragya always was special for Samay. He didn't know why, but he valued their friendship. She wasn't just any other girl that he could toy with and let go. She deserved better. And maybe that's why he never flirted with her much.

'Also maybe because Pragya has two overprotective brothers who would rip me apart with their bare hands if I made her cry.' Samay gulped at the thought.

"Something wrong Samay?"

"Nothing Abhi bhai. Nothing at all! "

"Okay. Let's go then. We've got loads of work. See you later Pragya, Bulbul." Abhi nodded at them.

"But bhai... Why don't we go watch them practice? It's not like there is anything interesting to do in your boring office."

Abhi gave it a thought. He didn't see anything wrong in what Samay said. "Well if the ladies don't mind..."

"Sure. Why not! You two could be the audience and tell us if we need any improvements. " Bulbul said in an excited tone.

"Everything is fine by me as well!" Pragya agreed.

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