ABI

Chapter 1 THE PROPOSAL

September 15, 2022, my first year in college, this year and day was going to change my whole life forever. A girl in my class was observing me for the past two years, and she was madly in love with me. She boldly approached me and said “I love you for many reasons, some of which I honestly have no good explanation for. But isn’t being in love with you itself a good enough reason than anything else.” I smiled and replied, “Those were some of the best romantic lines I’ve ever heard.” “Is it a yes or a no?” She asked eagerly, everyone was looking at us. “Can we be friends first, I don’t know you that well, but I’m sure you’re aware of the fact that I don’t talk to any of the girls in our class.” She knew if she walked away at that moment she knew she'd become the hot tea of the college that she got rejected for the first time which would ruin her. She said “Fair enough, I too only know you visually and not personally. Let’s get to know each other.” She came close to me pulled a leaf out of my hair and said “This evening writers café at four, don’t be late.” She left and walked away, she again looked back waving her hair and then waved bye, I waved a short bye as well. Immediately few of the popular girls in our batch and other departments approached me formed a circle around me and told me everything about her, paid for my makeover in the most premium salon in town, bought me expensive black clothes a silver chain some specs and even gave me money for the date, but I refused and I said I have enough money saved from trading, they were not even a tiny bit impressed even though they knew I was a poor boy who came to one of the best colleges through a full scholarship through my merit and my father’s connections. They got me a date ready for the evening. They never even bother to look at me in class, I was wondering why they were being so nice to me.

Chapter 2 THE BIG DATE

I was inside the café at 3.40 and asked them to get our orders ready and paid for them beforehand. By the time she had arrived, not even a second later our orders were placed on the table. She was impressed “When did you come here, and how do you know my all-time favourite comfort food, how did you afford it?” I just nodded casually without saying a word. She accepted that and gave me a genuine smile, she started eating after which I took the first bite. We spoke a lot and told each other about everything, she said: "Actually you looked so hot wearing that black tux for that street play." I said, "Thanks, but the real heat comes from the passion I put into every role, not just the outfit.". She replied "That's true. Did you know, you have a bunch of secret admirers." I said casually "Oh, really? I thought those were just spies I hired to keep tabs on my daily shenanigans!" She laughed like she hadn't heard jokes before. We were laughing, vibing and having a good time. I looked at my watch and told her “Avi, it's getting dark, let's make a move before it's too late. And I’ll walk you home.” “No no, I’ll manage by myself.” “Avi it's not a request.” She paused smiled like she was turned on “All right then Chivalrous, take me home.”

Chapter3 THE FIGHT

We got up and left. Suddenly a gang of seniors from college stood like pillars ahead of us. Turns out they were Avi's exes, jealous that she chose me over them.

Avi held my hand and said assertively “Abi let’s leave now.” The gang leader heralded “You’re not going anywhere until I beat the shit out of Skinny.” Then Avi started arguing with him. In that gap, I made a call. I could hear Avi shouting “This is not the time or the place for any of this, and we’re a closed chapter now.” One of the gang members told the gang leader “Ted, look." He approached me “Think you’re some tough guy, I’ll show you.” Then he got a phone call, it was his sister, he picked up the phone, a woman's voice spoke shakily “A gang of boys have barged into our house, and are making a ruckus here, I'm really scared.........(voice in the background) Kuttu come for dinner.” Ted started laughing hysterically. "I guess it's your fate. Sorry, kiddo, looks like fate decided to ghost you today. Mike let's get this show on the road." Mike replied "No cap." He approached me crunching his knuckles. I pressed his wrist hard with my two fingers and his hand wasn't functional. Then I kicked him in the face

and he fell and became temporarily unconscious. Two boys carried him off, the leader said shakily "Maybe next time." After he left, Avi held my arm and we strolled down the street taking slow and heavy steps. She was awe-struck by the whole incident “I've never seen this guy shake so much before, how'd you do it.” “My father always tells me “If you stare deep into the eyes of a person long enough, you can instil fear in them.” She asked astonishingly "What did you do to that guy?" "Those are pressure points, targeting pressure points can be used to temporarily incapacitate someone by causing pain, disrupting nerve signals, or affecting blood flow. Some pressure points may cause temporary paralysis, loss of balance, dizziness, or even unconsciousness" And I turned and walked, she walked quickly beside me and started looking at me as if she admired me, “What are you looking at me for, is there something on my fa…” she interrupted me by closing my mouth and said, “Shhh, just be quiet.” She gracefully intertwined her arm in mine and gave me a lip lock. When we were at her doorstep, she rang her doorbell four times with a 5-second gap between each, and then told me “My parents are not home.” She bit her index finger, I gently squeezed her cheeks and took her index finger out. “Do you have the keys?” She said, “Yes I do have them.” “Then why are you waiting to get in.” She clicked her lips in and tapped her hand on her forehead. “If I should spell it out loud, let's have sex.” I was shocked but was well aware that this was the culture of the time, I told her calmly “I wouldn’t like someone coming into my house when my sister’s home alone without the consent of my parents. And I’m saving myself for marriage.” I walked away and she was disappointed, I stopped halfway turned back,

held her by the hip and said “Thank, you for giving me a good time.” And then I left for home. She blushed and went inside, and I left.

Chapter 4 THE GOSSIP

Avi was gossiping with her girlies during the break, and one of them asked “It's been a year Avi, is this guy you forever.” She smiled, thought for a moment and said “Nah, I’m benching him.” “But Avi he’s a good guy.” “Look bae the guy slaps, but I’m still at 27 need to get it to 30, but the guy wants to save himself a marriage, he’s a wuss.” “Avi you can’t talk like that how can you use such a nice guy like him, you can’t do that.” Everyone around her gasped and started gossiping among themselves.” She got angry walked up real close to her, squeezed her flower and said “Listen ugly bitch, you’re not my mom, I don’t even listen to that whore. I don’t need you telling me what to do. Everyone deserves a second chance. But ugly bitches don’t.” She pushed her on the floor and said “No more privileges for you.” “It’s ok I’d rather be an unpopular girl than be with a sorry-ass whore like you.” I came here with my buddy Ethan and his friend Owen. Everyone was gathered in a huge circle in the cafeteria and I could hear someone crying, the three of us ran towards the crowd. Avi saw me from afar and left the crowd immediately, we saw Lux there and she was bleeding and fainted, I checked her pulse. Ethan asked, “Is she dead.” O said “No, there’s a pulse. Let’s take her to the hospital, Owen get you’re car started.” “On it .” “Ethan get a bottle of water an apple juice and a chicken sandwich.” Rekha From Avi’s girl group made an open statement “Even her brother is not helping her, why a stranger like you should.” I got so irritated I shouted keep quiet with a violent tone. Immediately her boyfriend came charging at me like a bull, Ethan pounced over him, and then their gangs started fighting. I was surprised Ethan even had a gang, turns out it was a bunch of nerds that were fighting them with heavy books, bags and stationery, trying to keep them away from me. In that gap, I carried Lux over my shoulder and left for the hospital in Owens's car.

Chapter 5 THE STORY OF LUX

Finally, Lux woke up after an hour. “You’re awake. Here drink some juice and eat this it’ll give you strength for now. And you’re mom’s on the way.” She started crying “She’s not coming.” Suddenly her brother rushed in and hugged me. I pushed him away and asked him in anger “Why didn’t you help your sister.” He put his head down. “Did’nt even know Lux had a brother until she said it was you, Why won't you, answer me.” Lux shouted “Enough, it's not his fault. Leave him alone.” Owen and I fell silent, her brother cried and hugged her, “I’m sorry Lux. I’m feeling so bad that I’m not able to do anything about it.” She comforted him saying “I know, I know baba, it's fine we have to bear certain things in life.” Lux said “Many years ago, my mom worked as a servant in Rekha’s house, and my dad worked there as a gardener. Rekha’s parents used to fight every day, because her mom found out that he was flirting with other women at work, and he used to come late in the night because of night clubs and parties. Rekha's dad used to come home drunk and beat up his wife. She resented living. One fateful day when Rekha's dad left for a business trip, Rekha’s mom threatened to kill us because some jewellery was missing from the house. The truth is her husband stole it for the business. Rekha's mom didn't buy it. But she gave a condition and asked my dad (the gardener) to sleep with her to teach her husband a lesson for all the tyranny she had endured. When Rekha was born, she prepared fake documents and made sure that any traces of my father were out of it. She even paid the doctors to tell Rekha's dad that he was the real father. Rekha's father was assuredly senile enough to believe it. But one dark day my dad told him the truth due to his integrity. That savage ravenous beast took the dagger and killed my dad and Rekha's mom together, my mom was an eyewitness to this. Then he made my mom a deal, that is she only worked for him and not for anyone else, she should also fulfil his sexual needs as a form of revenge for what my father did. And in turn, he will provide the best life and education for us. If something happens otherwise he’ll kill us. In the same way, if we told Rekha the truth he’d kill Mom.” Velan Lux’s brother said “We’re trapped from all angles it’s either us or our mother. That’s why she didn’t even come to the hospital. Anyways, I can’t thank y’all enough Abi and Owen.” I told him “I know a friend whose dad’s an advocate, there isn’t a case he hasn’t lost. He’ll help you out of this fix.

Chapter: THE REAL FACE OF AVI

The next evening when I and Avi were talking in the college park. Their story was running through my mind all day, so I wasn’t concentrating much on what she said. She knew I was preoccupied “Abi what’s wrong.” I rubbed my face and said, id “It’s nothing, I’m just not myself today.” She didn’t ask me anything further.

She grabbed my hand put me in her car and drove me to a pub. We sat by the counter she asked the bartender for seven shots of vodka, “What do you want?” “You know I don’t drink Avi.” “Bartender, one mocktail please.” “Avi I said no.” “Chill, it's not alcoholic.” She drank all seven shots at once while I was still sipping my mocktail, the DJ started the music and she went to dance. She called me to dance with her, I told her no and said I liked only slow and pleasant music, she signalled the DJ and he immediately changed the music. She called me again, and since she forced me I quickly drank my mocktail and went dancing with her. She was extremely drunk. She put both my hands on either side of her waist and she kept her hands over my shoulders and moved from side to side, I moved with her. “This is rather boring.” I said, she whispered “Abi I gotta tell you something. I fucked with Aariz” But I didn’t care because I knew she blabbers when she’s high and my mind again reverted to Lux’s story, never picking what she said at that time. Later she got high from the vodka and fell on me. I got bugged carried her put her in her car and drove her home. I rang the bell, the door opened, and I saw the prettiest girl with wavy long hair and a sleeveless purple dress. She took Avi in “Are you Avi’s twin?” she replied, “Yes, and are you her chauffeur?” Though she was Avi’s twin she had something that Avi never had, I chuckled and said “No. Gosh, where are my manners, hello, I’m Abi your sister's boyfriend.” I gave her a hand, but she undermined my civility as she joined her hands and said in a revolting tone “I’m Savi.” I was like “Savi, that’s a rather peculiar name. It was nice meeting……(The door slams shut) “You” no reply. I was wondering why she treated me this way, and I’m guessing that there’s something that Avi is hiding something about her past.

Chapter 7: THE CASE IN COURT

The next day I went to the court to be with Lux and Velan while they were at the case, Yuvan was there with me, and his dad was killing it at the court, and fortunately

Yuvan’s uncle was the judge of that case. I knew Yuvam from the womb, I was his paid babysitter, and I essentially raised him. Yuvan’s dad won over the case. Rekha’s dad was sentenced to 15 years of jail time.” Rekha was given under the custody of her mom’s sister. Lux and Velan’s mom was given a job under a government scheme and the children were provided a hundred per cent scholarship in the same college. Lux, Velan and their mom thanked the advocate, her mom almost fell on his feet, and by the time she came to mine, I left. The triumph over this family feud made me popular in college, I gained the respect of my peers and seniors, and I was the first to become college president in my second year.

Chapter 8: THE TRUTH ABOUT AVI

It was the final year, and surprisingly Avi was absent for almost a week. Harini approached me and enquired “Abi, Avi has not turned up for almost a week now, don’t you think there’s something wrong.” I said calmly “She told me she’s having a stomach bug.” She said, “Those don't last for long.” “She must be sick then.” “Don’t you care about her?” “I do but this is not that big of a deal she’s just sick.” “Abi I’ve been Avi's friend since school, something's wrong, and it's terrible.” “What do you suggest it is then.” Lux said, “I don't think it's a bug. I think it's a baby.” I replied in anger “Stop talking like you forgot you're brain at home.” Just a few moments later I got a text from Avi. The text read “My water broke!!” I was shocked I grabbed Owen, Ethan and Harini with me to Avi’s home in Owen’s car. But she wasn’t there. We drove to the hospital and Savi was there waiting in the delivery room, Savi shouted at me “You’re the fucker right, go get in.” “Are you nuts Savi?!.” “Just go in there I can’t be there.” I stared at her and went in. Eventually, Lux and Velan turned up as well. I was with her throughout her labour, I puked when the baby was out. The doctor's sharp comments rebuked my reaction, but I bore it. “Here’s you’re healthy baby girl congrats the doctor said.” And left the delivery room I too went out slowly and showed the baby to everyone. The doctor said that Avi needed rest. We waited for three hours, while the nurse fed the baby formula milk through a thin tube. We all went in and I answered “What irresponsibility is this, why did you allow this, who did this to you.” Savi shouted at me “You had sex with my sister and then blamed her.” “Excuse me I already told her that I’m saving myself for marriage.” “Fuck you!” Avi woke up and interrupted “Savi shut you're sucker up, he’s not the father.” Savi replied "What!!" in shock “This baby is a product of one of my situationships from a year ago. It was Aariz. He threatened me to have sex with him, to become popular.” “We have to do something.” “No use he and his whole family have moved to Saudi and changed their names and identities, they also have political power and wealth, small people like us can’t bind them.” “What should we do now,” Savi shouted and they all looked at me. “I’ll take care of her,” I said. Ethan said “Ideally you should be taking care of her Savi and Avi. What a pity.” Savi said “I’m not going to be a part of this sin she created. I’ve been through enough because of her, mom and dad will disown me if they find out I’m taking care of it. Put it in an orphanage.” Avi said “I’m not ready for commitment yet. So I guess the orphanage idea will work” I spat on the floor and said “Are you even listening to yourselves, are you even human? Monsters both of you. And Savi I never expected this from you, I thought you were different. And don't refer to her as it, she's not an animal.” I cried paused for a moment wiped my tears. “I’ll find a way to take care of you Bubba.” And I kissed the baby. Avi said, id "You told me that's what you're mother used to call you as an infant." I was surprised that word came out so naturally, as the nurse handed the baby to me. Lux, Velan, Owen and Ethan came holding my shoulder, Lux told me “We’ll fund for all the child’s needs.” I said “I too, will have to drop out of college and find a job. My mother is never going to accept me into her home again. Ethan get me a new phone, a new number but the same sim.” “Consider it done.” Owen said, “I own a small flat, not that from here you can stay there for the time being.” “Perfect, all I need now is a job.” Velan got me a good job with one of his contacts Sara Arjun “I don’t even know how to thank you,u guys.” Lux replied, “Just take good care of the child.” Avi said in nonchalant melancholy "I knew you were good from the beginning, but I'm bad, I knew I'd spoil you're perfect life. This baby is my fault too, I allowed it. I don't like you because you're not like the others, but. You've earned my respect." I smiled at her and left.

Chapter 9 ABI'S NEW LIFE

Two weeks later I got the job. When Avi was discharged she ran off with another rich guy to Ladakh. Savi and her parents left for the U.S. Rekha came to know about this through Lux. it took Lux three months for her to convince my mother to help him take care of the baby, but there wasn't any hope. Just when I thought my daughter needed a feminine touch, my mother came with all her things, and when I asked her how she changed her mind she pulled Rekha inside. My mother considered me an incarnation of God. Rekha was all blushy and shy while I was dumbstruck, she also insisted that she’d stay and take care of the baby. After that, I never had any regrets. Five years went by, I got a new job as a data analyst after completing a few certificate courses online. I bought a new house, car and bike, and started a barista. Till I hired people, Ethan was running the barista single-handedly.

(Present day 2037)

“The end, any questions. Yeah” “Something doesn’t add up. Everyone gave their contribution to help you. But what did Ethan do, no offence Ethan.” (Everyone laughs) “None taken Ria." I said "Well to be frank If it wasn’t for Ethan I would have not survived the first three months. So at that time, Harini was the prez, remember the girl who asked me about Avi when she took a week’s leave? And she happened to be Owen’s new girlfriend. Ethan got 3 months of OD leave, which was only allowed for sports faculty, just for me. He stayed with me cleaning the house, buying groceries, preparing food, coffee, tea everything. I was able to give my full attention to the baby. He’s my lifeline, without him I would’ve, I don’t know what would have happened. “What happened to the others after?” “Yeah, that’s what I’m also curious about?” “Me too” “Me too” “Alright everyone. So Lux and Yuvan loved each other and got married.” “Who’s Yuvan?” "Sheryl it’s the lawyer’s son.” “Owen and Harini Hawkes got married. And Velan became a director with the help of Sara. And eventually they ended up together” (honk, honk) travels van labelled Lux Travels approaches honking) “Also, forgot to tell you guys Lux owns a start-up.” I realized the van’s so full of life only after the kids came out running. As each of my friends came out of the van as a couple, everyone cheered and clapped for them. At last fatso, Velan came out holding his wife’s hand.) Sheryl exclaimed “Oh my gosh, Abi you said it was Sara, but you didn't mention two-time Oscar award-winning actor Sara Arjun. Mam if you don’t mind can I take a selfie with you” Sara replied happily "Oh, sure. And please call me Sara” They both wore

Sara's line of designer sweaters and Sara took the selfies herself. Then finally Rekha came out with our only daughter. They all fell silent and gasped in awe. “Everyone meet the stars of the show Rekha.” She was a bit shy. “But what’s your daughter’s name.” “I’m talking about her only, named her after the woman of my dreams.” (Sam asked in awe) “Wait a minute you married Rekha.” (Rekha replied holding my head) “Yes Sam, I figured we already went through life together. I thought why not get married.” Sam announced, “Poor Ethan is 33 still single.” (Everyone laughed and Ethan punched Sam on the shoulder.) “OK everyone let’s get some lunch.” (Everyone except Ethan came for lunch. I fell back and noticed Ethan sad and almost breaking into tears. I knew he had a crush on Sheryl during school. I called Sheryl over the phone and told her everything, How he used to wait to walk her home, how he journalised about her, how he made an effort to buy you you’re favourite things. I told her everything, How he used to prepare exam notes for her, The reason why he saved all his canteen money so that he could get something nice for you. He bought you a puppy on Valentine's Day, but since he saw her with another boy, he lost all hope. She came running to him, He wiped his tears and got up.) “What happened Sheryl did you miss something.” “Yes.” “No worries I’ll help you, what is it.” “You!” she said, blushing. After intense romance, she flirted, “You’re a good kisser.” Ethan said “I Try.” she replied, “By the way that boy I was with on Valentine's Day was my brother, I came with him because I didn’t have a date.” (Ethan started laughing.) “OK then I’ll leave.” (He held her hand, reeled her close, carried her and kissed her till they arrived at the  restaurant door. When they came in.) “A toast to our new couple.” I said both were blushing and shy. Everyone started singing Judy you hung the moon. (Ethan thanked me personally. Just then I realized, that all these guys aren’t just friends, they’re a family I created, and they’ll always be there for me and I for them. I saw all the kids following Rekha, as she was the eldest, and they were all so happy. And in the end that’s all that matters.