| Abhiya FF - His Firefly | COMPLETED Chapter 108 Pg 88 - Page 28

Originally posted by: cuteariya

amazing chapter as always

oh god sameer lost his mind how could he say pia to stay away from misha?😡

pia & her mom isn't at fault for arnav cheat😡

oh hell that council kidnapped pia even hurt her😡

poor pia got really scared to see so much vampires who was ready drink her blood😭

that dragomir how dare he hurt pia?😡

so glad lolanda came on time to save pia🤗

she told dragomir that abhiya is soulmate

pia was right abhay got to know abt her disappeared as abhay called seraphina

seraphina brought abhay also there

as soon as abhay landed there he just hugged pia🤗

abhiya were so relived seeing each other

pia wasn't ready to lose abhay & abhay was ready to kill everyone who dare to kidnapped pia

all the vampires got to see abhiya is soulmate but dragomir still isn't ready to accept

pia boldly told dragomir abhya's identity didn't matter to her as she love him & won't tell anybody abt them

finally lolanda meet abhay after longtime😊

abhiya back to their home but pia is still worried abt what sameer said😒

abhay know pia is worried coz of sameer hopefully she will tell him what happened

continue plz

Sameer is going to be a real handful 😆 let’s see what happens

Thank you 🤗

Chapter 65

Where Do I Go?

Back when they were getting to know each other more, she had asked him a question.

Favorite piece for piano?

Schubert’s Ständchen.

Abhay spent the fine evening in the sound of music, with his beloved musician. Piya sat in the armchair beside the piano, laying her head upon crossed arms on the armrest. She brought her violin with, but it remained untouched for the time being.

One request was made of him, to play the piece he said he enjoyed the most. And that, he played it beautifully. A serenade to touch her heart.

Piya’s thoughts wandered. She wondered if anyone else was listening to them, or if the music was enough to drown them out. She thought of Misha, then Sameer. The words he said to her. Stay away, never speak to Misha again. Even if neither wanted the truth to come to light, stopping Misha from seeing her or talking to her wouldn’t be the solution. Yet, he only wanted Piya to do something about it.

I won’t be able to do it...never...

But what would Sameer do if she didn’t listen?

The study in the Raichand mansion turned into a small concert hall, with Mandu and Siddharth also there to hear Abhay play.

“You should do this more often, little brother. The piano must miss you as well.”

Abhay smirked and continued on. He hoped Piya was enjoying it as much as they were. She was very quiet, and the bright smile was yet to return to her face.

At least...I belong somewhere..., Piya thought.

She liked being here. Sometimes the villa got too quiet. Too empty. Here, there was always someone to see and talk to. Day or night, but especially night.

Dreams of the hospital, her mother’s last breaths, or dreams of when Arnab left then behind, they kept her awake since, or woke her up with tears. She still hadn’t told Abhay the entirety of the situation, and she wasn’t sure if Siddharth and Mandu knew anything at all. She didn’t mind Abhay sharing the details of her parentage, in fact, she expected them to already be aware, months ago. It was only fair, she thought, since she knew and saw most of their past.

Abhay touched the last key, and the small burst of applause rose Piya out of thought. She managed to crack the smallest smile, and clapped as well. He played beautifully, nothing less from what she expected of him. But with the conclusion of this melodic distraction, Sameer’s words found their volume inside her head, and began to torment her. The tears came out again.

Not again...

“Piya....what happened?”

Mandu kneeled in front of her and wiped her tears with her fingers. It seemed like the tears had been there longer than a few seconds.

“Only a wonderful performance could drive me to tears...,” she said, twiddling her thumbs.

The joke fell flat, mostly because they all knew that something else was bothering her. White lies like this could fly back when they first met, but not anymore.

“If you want to get anything off your mind, we’re here to listen.” She said, taking her hands. Piya looked at all them and sunk into the chair. Abhay met eyes with her, and he blinked once to assure her.

Why can’t I stop thinking about it? What about the happiness I received after it?

The good news, was that she and Abhay were free to continue their relationship, without consequence. No effort was needed to hide anything between them to anyone else. But while one problem was solved, another reared its head. She couldn’t catch a break.

“I see....perhaps a couple’s secret? Siddharth and I have many too.”

Mandu winked at Piya and caressed her hair.

“Many is an understatement.” Siddharth corrected. Mandu shook her head.

“And I still don’t know any of them.” Abhay continued, sitting on the armrest on Piya’s seat.

“That’s why they’re secrets, silly. We’ll leave you both alone for a little bit. Let’s go, Siddharth.”

Mandu pulled Siddharth out with her by the hand and shut the door. Abhay cupped Piya’s cheeks, wiping more tears with his thumbs.

“Do they know....about my father?”

He shook his head.

“They don’t. I never told them.”

He whisked Piya off the chair and sat down in it with her in his lap, holding her tight in a comforting embrace. She hid her face in the crook of his neck and grabbed fistfuls of his shirt.

“Tell me, jaan. You’ll feel better.” He whispered, tracing patterns on her thigh.

She remembered using that line on him once before. With a heavy sigh, she began.

“Sameer....asked me to meet him that day.”

She remembered the accusations, and teared up again. Abhay nodded as he listened, holding her hand against his heart.

“I could tell, from that paper you were holding. His scent was all over it. What did he say?”

She sat up and opened her other palm to reveal the very same balled-up letter, which he took and read. Addressed to Arnab, it was evidence of his infidelity, despite its innocent array of words. He folded it neatly, and handed it back to her.

“What did he want?”

“He....told me to stay away from his family. Misha included. He blamed me and mumma for this situation, for being home-wreckers.”

Abhay became silent, but his muscles were tensed with rage. Somewhere, Sameer was likely to be feeling some adverse manifestation of his rage. What, she couldn’t really guess. She shook her head when he looked into her eyes, not wanting more trouble to stir. He assured her and calmed down.

“Neither you nor your mother are at fault. The fault lies with Mr. Dobriyal. How could Sameer blame you?”

“He feels like the rest of the family will find out who I am and that truth will ruin everything. I don’t want that to happen, at any cost.”

There you go again, jaan. Thinking of others before yourself.

“I don’t want to break Misha’s heart. She loves her dad so much.”

“And you love her a lot as well. Why should you stay away from her?”

Piya sobbed quietly. He sighed, and gave her his handkerchief. If she could hide for a while, she’d want to do it here, in his arms.

“I’ve accepted that I don’t have a place there a long time ago. But he....”

Her throat closed up, even breathing normally was painful. No more words could describe her feelings.

Abhay pulled her closer.

“Shhh...don’t cry....,” he whispered into her ear.

It was a matter to empathize with. All of them could understand the fear of losing someone close and dear.

I’ll see to you later, Sameer, Abhay thought.

Piya was trying to stop her tears, but they just kept flowing. He cupped her cheeks.

“Relax, jaan...”

A calming sensation flowed through her body, giving her the strength to push the taunts out of her head. She never felt unwelcome here. Thanks to Abhay, she did have a place to call home.

“And never think otherwise. You’ll always have a place here, along with within my heart,” he whispered.

She tried to return the handkerchief back, but he shook his head.

“Keep it. You can return it later. Okay?”

She held it close to her chest and nodded.

“I love you.” He said, kissing her forehead.

“I love you too....”

He wanted to stay like this some more, before matters of his world called him away.

Abhay, it’s almost time.

He turned his head towards the door, hearing the sounds of the basement door opening, followed by countless footsteps. Piya couldn’t hear it as well as him, and looked confusedly in the direction he was.

“Looks like everyone is arriving.” Abhay looked at Piya. “You can stay here, jaan. I’ll come back after the clan meeting is over.”

She nodded, and curled atop the chair again. He sped off, and she looked at her violin.

But I want to play with him....

To fill the gap of time, curiosity gave her ideas, and she sat on the floor next to the door, peering through the crack as much as she could, downstairs.

There were many vampires, closely packed on the already large floor. She wondered if she saw any of them out in the city, when she didn’t know of any supernatural existence. Abhay stood on the staircase, overlooking the rest. She even spotted Danish towards the front.

There’s more than I thought.

She listened to him speak, fascinated by his leader persona. His demeanor changed in the snap of the fingers, commanding and stern.

After the acceptance of their relationship by those who governed them, Abhay made the formal announcement to his clan, that he and Piya were soulmates, together. And that any dissent in the form of harm to Piya would not be taken lightly.

The vampires who disapproved of them still, faced with the unrestrained wrath of the most powerful vampire in the room, quietly subdued themselves to just complaints and backhand remarks. Abhay found those easy to ignore, and was thankful for it.

He also made one matter especially clear, that no one was to make Piya their prey, unless for some odd reason she gave permission, though he didn’t foresee this happening. Even if they were forbidden from killing humans, he loathed the idea of anyone else drinking from her. Of course, he was the natural exception, but he kept this to himself. His restraint would be the greatest anyways, and this decision would also please the possessive tendencies of the beast.

Sparingly, if he had the urge to drink from her, for the sake of her health. Piya blushed, thinking of the sounds he elicited from her while he fed from her.

She saw lots of nods from the majority. For those vampires, they didn’t care nor mind. Just one human to keep track of; and Abhay usually carried her scent on him most of the time, making it easy to memorize. Some even noticed her upstairs, peeking through the crack in the door. It was strange to see a human in their midst like this, but was something to get used to.

Danish even waved to her, and she did the same, her hand partially visible. Abhay chuckled to himself when he noticed, and that was more surprising and gossip worthy to his clan than the human soulmate.

Is any happiness on my face really such a big deal?

Remember little brother, this is the first time a majority of our clan is seeing it.

Abhay rolled his eyes, and continued his speech. Business surrounding the palace and blood moon were to be continued as usual, and Abhay made a stronger, more visible effort towards his duties as leader. This is when Piya resigned from watching, unable to fully understand what was being discussed.

“That is all.”

Upon his concluding words, the doors to the basement opened again. The chatter ceased, and almost in unison, every vampire in the room bowed down.

“You’re right, Haseena, I haven’t been completely forgotten by my own kind.”

Piya already recognized the voice, and was surprised to see her again in such a short time span.

Abhay wasn’t expecting Iolanda to make another appearance for a while. If she disappeared, she’d be gone for weeks, months, years even. A few days was out of character. Piya opened the door again to see what was happening, once it was empty.

“Surely I must’ve done something to warrant another visit, so soon,” he said.

She laughed to herself, and at his perplexed expression.

It’s my fault. I surprise my creations with my arrival too often.

“Of course not. I’m just here on official business.”

“Oh?”

“I came to observe things. And Dragomir kindly informed me about Piya’s.....erm....special characteristic.”

He had been meaning to address it with key individuals, worried for Piya’s safety and where he was to keep her when the blood moon rose.

I can’t keep her at home, nor at her villa. He knows both locations. Then where...?

A proper shelter for that night was crucial for her well-being. Somewhere that especially Ayushmaan wasn’t privy to.

Iolanda saw Piya snooping upstairs and smiled.

“You don’t need to hide, my dear. Come, join us.”

Piya stood up, cleaned her face up as best she could, and slowly walked downstairs. Abhay took her hand.

“It’s obvious we can’t sit around, waiting for one of them to attack her. She’s a valuable asset for them.” She said. “Well, any soul with the Mark of Celeste is.”

“She must be hidden that night. But I don’t know where.” Abhay continued.

“The Vitael are not to be underestimated. They will find her if we make it easy enough. I would suggest keeping her in my personal residence, but....”

“But?”

“I won’t be able to be there. All our manpower will be focused in these areas. No matter what, she will be alone, and that’s risky for us.”

“Then....?”

Siddharth tapped his foot on the floor, when an idea came to him.

“Our old home....” He said. Abhay looked at him. He himself forgot about that option.

“Will they find it?” He asked Siddharth.

“Unlikely. But how will she enter?”

The seal around the home was cast with only the Raichand family in mind. Only the four, though Haseena never intruded upon it. Adding another meant it had to be redone, and reveal its existence in the process.

“If she’s blood bound to me, will that allow her to see it and get past it?”

Haseena and Iolanda expressed shock. Mandu cleared her throat. Siddharth just shrugged.

“Blood bound? Both to each other? Or just you to her? There’s a big difference, and the latter is more believable.”

“Correct. It’s partial.”

“Let’s give it a test. If she can’t enter, out of the country might be safer. There will be bloodshed here, from both sides. Can’t have an innocent human be one of the victims.”

——————————————————————

To most, the Rao manor wasn’t even visible. To key individuals, it could be seen but not passed by.

“Can you see it?”

Piya’s eyes settled on the old residence, basked in the moonlight. It looked the same as she left it in the past. In present time, nature extended its grip over the walls, shrouding it with greenery. She looked at Abhay and nodded.

“It....looks better than I expected.”

Iolanda crossed her arms, and stood in the space between Piya and the house.

“But will you be able to get past the seal?”

If even I couldn’t get past, what’s to say a human could? These seals are very strict in themselves, she thought, watching Piya with a careful eye.

Piya didn’t know. She couldn’t even see a seal. If it was there, it was invisible to her. She cautiously took a step forward, then two, and stuck her palm out, feeling for the solid wall of the house.

It burned to touch. And she couldn’t heal herself like the others. The pressure accumulated, and she was thrown back, palm singed and bleeding. Abhay caught her and immediately healed her hand.

“Are you okay?”

She nodded.

“A shame, I thought I had a feeling she might be able to get past.”

“Then?” Abhay asked.

“Perhaps, if you give her your blood instead? But that’s quite the big commitment.”

He hesitated. Piya didn’t understand.

He didn’t tell her.

Mandu leaned towards her ear and whispered.

“Fully forging a blood bond is considered equivalent to marriage in our society. It wouldn’t be as big of an issue if Abhay never took blood from you....”

That’s why he was avoiding that conversation.

Piya looked at him, cheeks pink. He shook his head, and touched the wall. Reforging even the partial bond would take too much time at this point anyways.

“It’s no use. If we get the seal redone, we risk revealing the place to outsiders.”

Mandu stared at the glowing seal. In her eyes, the farther away she was from Maithili and this city, the better.

Maithili will be a bigger problem than Ayushmaan could ever dream of being.

“I personally think it’s too close to the palace still. The farther she’s away from Maithili, the better. We don’t know, if she wakes up, how powerful she will be.”

She turned around, and stared towards the direction of the palace. It was far considering their traveling capabilities back then, but much too close now. It would only take a few seconds to run there. And Maithili, she’s had plenty of years to build grudges. And her grudges were dangerous.

“I agree. I’ll just worry you all more if this is where I need to hide.”

“Very well. In that case, we have no further work here. Let us depart then.”

Piya looked at the old house, frozen in time, and turned to leave. As she took her first step, a furry object touched the side of her leg and sent shivers up her spine.

“What was that?!” She shouted, backing away. Her answer came in the form of a cat’s meow.

“Oh Raven, we almost forgot about you.” Mandu gushed.

Abhay snapped a branch off a nearby tree and lit its tip aflame, holding it over the elusive black cat so Piya could actually see her past the glowing eyes.

A pet cat?

Raven purred and circled Piya a few times, rubbing her head against her leg and purring. Piya knelt and pet her.

“She’s so soft. I didn’t know you had a cat.”

“She’s been living in this place for a while now. Almost as half as old as us.”

A 150 year old cat didn’t sound right.

“She’s not a normal cat either then, is she?”

“As normal as we are. We think she’s an abandoned familiar.”

Iolanda took interest in Raven, but she hissed at her instead. She frowned, and went back to standing off to the side.

Raven found Piya far more interesting, and jumped into her arms. Her tail swayed back and forth, flicking Piya’s nose on occasion.

“I always wanted a cat, but mumma was allergic.”

“She really likes you, it seems. It took so long for her to warm up to any of us.”

Abhay kept the group there for a while longer, seeing that Piya was able to cheer up with just Raven’s company.

Iolanda looked at the house one more time.

“I think my manor will be best, in these circumstances. Who would dare breach the residence of an original vampire?”

“Confident as ever, my dear friend...” Haseena chided.

“Of course. I’ll give Yeona the main responsibility of watching over her. She’s very shy, but very capable.”

“Your 7th Duralis?”

“8th. It’s really been too long, hasn’t it?”

Abhay had changed a lot since she last saw him, and thrice as much since she turned him. They had lots to catch up on.

No wonder he spites Dragomir so much nowadays. Keep it up, keep it up.

She concealed a chuckle, and made a quick phone call in preparation.

https://youtu.be/pJf-XXTBEqs

Amazing update . Dangers are lurking around the corner but glad to see most of the ppl are on their side

superb chapter

poor pia still couldn't take her mind off what sameer told her

why the hell sameer blamed pia & her mom for the past?😡

siddharth & madhu r really understanding they left abhiya alone so they can talk🤗

finally pia told abhay what sameer told her

now no one can save sameer from abhay😆

uff those vampires isn't ready to accept pia as abhay's soulmate

but they can't do anything abt it

lolanda once again surprised abhay😊

now all of them r worried for pia's safety as blood moon is coming

that bloody anshuman will sure try to take pia with him for maithali😡

pia couldn't enter at abhya's old home

now what abhay will do to keep pia safe?

continue plz

Originally posted by: MS-meghasharma

Amazing update . Dangers are lurking around the corner but glad to see most of the ppl are on their side

Thank you 🤗 unity is very powerful

Originally posted by: cuteariya

superb chapter

poor pia still couldn't take her mind off what sameer told her

why the hell sameer blamed pia & her mom for the past?😡

siddharth & madhu r really understanding they left abhiya alone so they can talk🤗

finally pia told abhay what sameer told her

now no one can save sameer from abhay😆

uff those vampires isn't ready to accept pia as abhay's soulmate

but they can't do anything abt it

lolanda once again surprised abhay😊

now all of them r worried for pia's safety as blood moon is coming

that bloody anshuman will sure try to take pia with him for maithali😡

pia couldn't enter at abhya's old home

now what abhay will do to keep pia safe?

continue plz

Thanks dear 🤗 let’s see what happens

Chapter 66

One and Many More

Abhay never wished to waste time in reasoning with humans like Sameer. He found him more annoying than Misha, and that was saying a lot.

He remained in the dark, waiting in his car just outside the Dobriyal mansion gates.

One little warning shouldn’t hurt.

His fingers curled over the steering, eyes vigilant on the gate and the road incoming from their office. The car arrived in sight slowly, Sameer on the phone whilst driving. Abhay accelerated, cutting the car off as he made the turn into the open gates.

“What the hell—“

Sameer’s foot jammed into the brakes and stayed there. Abhay just stared blankly.

“I’ll call you back—-“

He hung up, and exited the vehicle, matching Abhay’s stare. A fight within eyes. The lone guard hurried over to absolve the matter, but Sameer sent him back immediately.

Abhay stepped out calmly, closing the gap between them.

“Is this how you treat your business partners, Abhay?” He gestured to their cars, only inches away from an accident.

“One project and you think we’re partners? You amuse me, Sameer.”

Abhay leaned back against the hood and crossed his arms and feet. Just staring at him, ego high and mighty, made his blood boil. His family could buy out the Dobriyal empire with the snap of the fingers. If the matter was business rivalry, that is. He let the beast mix with his tone, both personalities showing intense dislike to those who caused Piya trouble. There was residual anger that he wanted to burn in this conversation.

“What do you want, that too at this hour?”

Sameer had an idea, given that Abhay would only make the effort to meet outside of the office if it personally concerned him.

“You called Piya to meet you a few days ago?”

Sameer narrowed his eyes and glared, crossing his arms.

“I did. Why, did she complain about me or something?”

“What do you think?” He hissed.

“Always so gloomy and confrontational.”

Abhay stepped closer. Now he wanted to tear into this man’s throat, and see him gasp for mercy. His fangs were itching to be released, but he kept control.

He placed his hand on the car door, and squeezed. The metal collapsed and mangled underneath to conform to the shape of his fingers. Then, his expression and manner settled.

“If you think I don’t know this...truth you’re trying to hide, you could be in for more trouble than you thought.”

Sameer furrowed his brows, and sent the guard inside before Abhay spoke a word further.

“What truth?”

Abhay chuckled. The poor Sameer Dobriyal was beginning to sweat, in the cool nightly breeze.

“I hear Mr. Dobriyal wants to see her again. His other daughter. All I have to do is open my mouth, and he’ll be running out to meet her faster than you can blink. He is a father after all.”

“Stay out of my family matters, Abhay.”

“Family? I thought you don’t consider her family. Unless....Piya had a slip of tongue....”

“I won’t say it again.”

“And I won’t either. Stay away from Piya.”

He looked towards the mansion, and shook his head in pity.

“Cherish your family while you have it. You don’t know the future.”

Sameer glared as Abhay drove off, then, after being the only one outside, cleared his expression of any strife and drove the car inside like everything was normal.

The indents of Abhay’s fingers on his car door didn’t even cross his mind, because anger wouldn’t let them enter.

——————————————————————

February 10th. Her first birthday in Dehradun, and she wouldn’t be spending it alone. Piya’s villa was filled with people tonight. Surrounded by those she cared for and those she bonded with, her 23rd birthday became one of the more special ones in recent memory.

Misha hid her masterpiece in the back of the room amongst the other gifts, only to be opened after the cake was cut. She slipped the photo back in Piya’s room on the pretext of using the bathroom, leaving her dear friend to suspect nothing of the painting’s contents.

“The cake is ready!”

23 candles, arranged to show the number itself, were lit one by one. Piya waited for a few minutes more, in case Abhay decided to come. Mandu was here, and Siddharth was on his way, but not Abhay.

You know why he’s not here, Piya. Selfless idiot, she thought.

Mandu too kept an eye on the door. There was one more arrival besides Siddharth’s that she was waiting for. She got off the phone with him just then, and stopped Piya from blowing out the candles last minute.

“What happened, Mandu?”

“One moment, your surprise is here.” She said, smiling. Piya looked up, confused.

Someone knocked. Mandu coaxed Piya to open it herself.

All this for Abhay? It can’t be him, then....

She went along with it, and opened the door wide. Then with a smile, found her uncle.

“Mamaji!”

Siddharth was standing behind him, and beckoned him forth with a smile. Piya was least expecting Praveen to come to Dehradun. Arnab aside, he told her when wishing her the night prior that he couldn’t make it due to business commitments.

“I thought you said you couldn’t make the trip....”

“It was part of the surprise. Your kind neighbors contacted me and arranged for my flight here. I haven’t seen you in so long. I’m not used to it. The house is so empty without you.”

Praveen looked behind her, surprised by the amount of guests. After she came back to Indore from Mumbai, she kept largely to herself and rarely brought friends home. His worries lessened, even though this city was home to the man he hated more than anything else.

“You’ve made many friends, it seems. Won’t you introduce them to me?”

She nodded, and mouthed a thank you to Siddharth and Mandu. Siddharth winked and gave her a thumbs up.

“After the cake, of course.”

She leaned down, and blew out the candles. Applause, and a burst of song to the tune of Sugandh’s violin playing on the tape.

“Happy birthday Piya!”

Misha and Kabir smeared cake on her cheeks. The first piece she cut, she shared with Praveen, then for each one that followed she gave to her friends.

“Are you ready for the best gift of the night?” Misha exclaimed, jumping in front of the group.

“You’re confident that it’ll be the best?” Kabir challenged.

“100 percent.”

She picked up the canvas off the floor and held it on top of the kitchen counter. Everyone gathered around.

“I hope you like it, Piya. I spend all my time on this.”

Misha pulled the cloth from over the canvas in dramatic fashion and waited for a response. Piya stood speechless, then teared up.

“Oh god, I messed up, didn’t I?”

Initially, Piya was worried others in that house had seen it. But Misha never said anything of it. Forget a surprise for her, it was a surprise to everyone. Piya laughed between the tears and shook her head.

“No Misha, it’s beautiful....”

Piya took the portrait from her hands and stared at it for a moment.

“I have just the place for this.”

She hung it on the wall which she faced when practicing, with some help. It fit well with the rest of the furniture surrounding it.

“I put the photo back in your room, on the nightstand. Sorry, I borrowed it without asking.”

“It’s okay. I got such a wonderful gift in return. Thank you so much, Misha.”

She gave her a tight hug. Misha reciprocated and hugged her so tight that it would give Abhay competition.

No, I don’t ever want to lose this....., she thought.

——————————————————————

Abhay pulled up to her villa just as the party had ended. He sat inside his car on the opposite side of the road, watching the guests leave one by one. Some noticed, some pretended to not notice. He didn’t care regardless.

He stepped out of the car, adjusting his suit and tie in the mirror. Behind his back, he held a small bouquet of roses, freshly picked and full of rich scent.

Three knocks on the door, and expecting Piya to answer them. He should’ve expected her uncle instead, given that he suggested the idea for him to come down for a surprise visit in the first place.

Praveen looked back at Siddharth, who nodded. Then he looked at Abhay, studying him. Many of his phone calls with Piya began to include Abhay in some way, and she had nothing bad to say about him.

Handsome, mannered, well to do family, educated, hmm....

“You must be Abhay. Come in.”

Piya peeked out the door of her room, after changing into the dress Abhay gifted her and washing off any bits of cake and frosting left on her face.

Mandu grabbed her shoulders and looked out with her. She giggled.

“Why am I so nervous?” Piya asked her.

“You have it lucky, Piya. It’s so much easier nowadays. You must’ve seen how Siddharth asked for my hand back then. I was so embarrassed, only I know how I was able to answer in front of my father.”

She nodded, never wanting to be put in the spot like that. She’d forget how to speak, and likely embarrass herself.

“Piya.” Praveen called.

Piya walked out with Mandu in tow, wearing the pastel blue dress that Abhay chose for her. She tucked her hair back, feeling shy. Abhay wanted to keep staring, but with her uncle in the room, it would look awkward.

“Yes, mamaji?”

“Don’t stay out too late. I want to spend time with my niece as well.”

Siddharth playfully slapped Abhay on the back, the latter taking a moment to breathe.

Congrats, her uncle approves of you.

How can you tell?

Experience.

Mandu masked her laughter with a fake cough.

“I will.” Piya said.

They hugged, and Praveen turned to Abhay.

“Take care of her. Though I don’t think I need to tell you. She thinks highly of you.”

Abhay clasped his hands.

“I won’t let you down.”

The clock ticked into deeper nightfall. What Abhay couldn’t do at the party, he made up for it with a surprise of his own. Piya looked back at the front door as he unlocked the car for their departure.

“I was so nervous. But I think he likes you.”

He smiled, finally getting a chance to admire her up close. His fingers brushed back hair from her fave.

“You look beautiful.” He said, leaning down to kiss her. It took him ages to find the dress, and she looked just as stunning as he imagined.

“Thank you.”

She took the bouquet that lay waiting in his hands and smelled the roses, no different from his natural scent. She took one and fixed it into his coat pocket.

“You didn’t come earlier? I didn’t think you would, but...”

“I didn’t want to spoil the mood of your party. You know how it is. This is your day, not mine.”

“Abhay.....”

She felt bad, making him wait.

“Shhh....it’s okay. I don’t mind waiting. See, now you get me all to yourself for a while.”

He opened the passenger door and helped her sit. His own surprise took a while to plan, especially since he had no reason to ever bake a cake before. While the party was ongoing, he was setting up.

That cake better taste good.

Piya looked around as they drove down the road. Abhay held her hand in his lap.

“How was the party?”

“Just shy of amazing without you. But seeing mamaji was a wonderful surprise. I missed him.”

“I’m glad.”

“Oh, and Misha....she painted a photo of mumma and I as a gift. You saw it inside, right?”

He nodded.

“I was worried, if anyone else saw it. Everything would be finished.....”

Her rapid train of thoughts came to a halt. Abhay stroked the hand he held with his thumb.

“Hey.....”

He pulled her close with his arm, wrapping it around her shoulders.

“Only positive thoughts. Okay?”

“Okay...”

The number of buildings dwindled to none when she looked out again. She wondered what was out here.

“Where are we going?”

“It won’t be a surprise if I tell you, will it?” He smiled, revealing a dimple. “Shall we?”

He pulled up to some densely wooded parts of the forest, and opened the passenger door. Piya looked around, confused.

“I don’t see anything.”

“Patience, jaan.”

He took her hand, and walked into the clearing. Piya thought she saw something in the air warp, like a barrier of sorts, visible even at night.

“Follow me. Don’t be afraid.”

“That’s what they say in horror movies....”

Abhay chuckled, and held her hand tighter.

“Dead is the man who tries to hurt you. You trust me, right?”

She nodded. More than anything, more than herself.

“Then...take a few more steps. I promise you’ll like it.”

The way he coaxed her made it sound like she was to enter a magical wonderland, which wasn’t completely out of the question given the true nature of this world. She bravely took the steps forward, passing through another transparent barrier of sorts.

Wait, I know this....

What she saw was incredible. Leaving his hand, she continued a few steps forward and basked in the scenery.

“This is that meadow.....with the fireflies. From your past.”

It looked much different, more enclosed. Nature didn’t leave a single place untouched. A candlelit gazebo stood to the side, decorated with flowers of unknown varieties and a small table in the center.

“Hiding in plain sight?” She asked.

“Think of it as such. A lot has changed here, but the essence remains.”

He looked towards the meadow itself. He wanted to make new memories here, with Piya.

“Come here.”

He took her to the gazebo. There was another cake waiting for her, smaller than the last one. On it, in the most beautiful calligraphy she had ever seen, the words ‘Happy Birthday’. Abhay lit the candles for her to blow out, and being the kind of person to not sing out loud, held her by the waist and quietly sung to her in her ear.

Her stomach growled. Abhay chuckled and fed her the piece she cut.

“How is it?”

“Yummy.”

She saw the smugness of accomplishment in his expression, no matter how subtle.

“What would you say if I said it was bad?”

“I’d never set foot into the kitchen again.”

She licked her fingers and set the knife down.

“This whole thing, is for me?”

“To my knowledge, only you have a birthday today. And I can’t eat it anyways.”

“I wish I could’ve done something more for yours.”

“It’ll come again. Like every year.”

He held her snug in his arms and kissed her. As the darkness continued to spread with the arrival at night, the fireflies continued to glow and dance around them. The two lay in the grass, watching them float by with the breeze. Piya was completely immersed. One landed on her nose, warm and ticklish.

“Look, Abhay.” She whispered, trying not to move her head. The small beads of light complimented the shine in her eyes.

Abhay sat up, and let her lay in his lap after the firefly flew off. Together, they watched the spectacle. His hand curled over her cheek.

“300 years ago, these little fireflies were here too.” She murmured, thinking of how time preserved such sights.

He caught one between his palms, and opened it a little to let her see. Piya brushed her hair aside and peered in, smile as bright as the little glowing insect.

“And here I was thinking you’d take me to a restaurant or something.” She teased. “That’s what I’ve seen in movies and shows...”

“If that’s what you’d like for next time, I’ll make it happen.” He chuckled and touched their foreheads together. “I’m thankful for your patience. None of this is usual for me.”

She shook her head.

“Only you could’ve brought me to someplace like this. I’m sure I would never find this place on my own. It seems hidden from humans, right?”

He took her hand, touching the soft skin on the backside, and nodded.

“I never thought I’d have a birthday as memorable as this one....”

She snuggled close to him and closed her eyes. He dipped his head.

“And may you have many more like it to come....” he whispered.

He wanted her to live through those many many more, and be with her through them at the same time. Another birthday, another year older, another special night to spend.

Their fate as soulmates protected them, allowed them to be together. Yet sometimes, in the back of his head, Nature threw its occasional taunts. Piya might’ve thought that Nature wasn’t to give them a hard time, and it wouldn’t. But that didn’t mean Abhay was completely free of it presence.

Nature could taunt her too if it felt like it.

I may not be able to do anything, but what makes you think your bond will last? Fate is truely foolish. Giving the hand of an aging mortal to that of ageless creature.

He got used to them, and by used to, it meant he now ignored them.

She’ll grow old, and die one day. You know that right?

This one truth was bitter indeed. Mortality. The youthful glow on her face would fade with time, as more birthdays passed, and the number denoting age continued to tick upward. The vampiric blood that soaked his every cell sustained this eternity. If he were mortal, there’d be nothing but dust and bones by now.

Surely you won’t make her like you?

He stared into the dark, wondering about those of his kind, those in his clan. Very few of them ever pompously celebrated their birthdays. Some didn’t even remember when they were born, being around for so long. Just a date on the calendar, like he began to consider it as. How many of them wanted the eternity that caused the nonchalance?

Would she want it? Would he even allow it?

May you curse her with eternity. Foolish girl.

Thinking of mortality dampened his mood. But he made sure to keep his emotion bound to avoid upsetting her. Piya looked up, and tapped his arm.

“What happened?”

“Nothing, jaan. Just admiring the scenery.”

She took his arm and curled it around her torso. The stars began to mingle with the light of the fireflies.

I think, if time stopped at this moment forever, I wouldn’t mind it.

She looked up at Abhay.

“Can we come here next year?”

“I’d love to, jaan.”

Wonderful part

Love it so much

Continue soon

I got just one word.

Lovely!

Originally posted by: soniakhanna01

Wonderful part

Love it so much

Continue soon

thank you! Will update Friday pacific standard time 😃