Chapter 25 : Know me Stranger, if I allow.

Chapter 25 : Know me Stranger, if I allow.

“Come.” Ram paved way for Priya. “Sit.” He pointed to the couch. Ram looked at her carefully, something was bothering her. Though she covered it under her strong personality her body language failed in front him. He wanted to complement his wife, how beautiful she was looking at the Mandap and right then she looked heavenly in the sea green saree. “Sit Priya. I am not going to eat you up.” Jocularly he said taking his seat at one end of the couch.

Taking her seat at the other end she put a paper and her phone on the coffee table in front. Looking around her eyes went to a white Kurta with a red bordered collar.

Looking at Priya's way Ram cleared his throat.  “Oh that I will wear tomorrow. You don't like it?”

“I was looking at your size.”

“Did you turn up to mock me about my size this late?” Ram said with a straight smile. “Or just to see me?”

“I am telling you for your good. You have lost that X factor that made you stand out of the crowd.” Priya relaxed this time.

“X factor as in? If you want to see how wannabe still am I, come to Mumbai then you will feel the heat.” Ram smiled inwardly.

“I have no such intentions inside my head to see how much wannabe my husband is amongst women!” Priya frowned.

“What did you just say?”

“What?”

“What am I?”

Priya knew Ram has caught the string that he will pull until she will surrender. “Ram. Let me tell you, we are lawfully wedded couple and I am a non believer of polygamy and as long as I am with you dare you look for another woman.” Priya had a possessiveness in her voice.

“So Madam is ready to be wife in all sense?” Ram mumbled.

“What? No. I mean Yes. No.” Priya closed her eyes and took a deep breathe. “Listen Ram as long as we are together you have to promise me two things. And I am serious this time.” Priya’s darting look fell on him.

“Yes Madam.”

“You will never force yourself on me. One...”

“What do you think of me Priya?” Ram cut short Priya's voice. “Do I look like an asshole to you? Why this thing don't get off your mind?”

“I am sorry. But I feel insecure some time.” Priya said in a feeble voice as if she has been trapped in Slit sand, which is pulling her inside.

“Stop being insecure. I am your that friend whom you trusted. I am the same friend whom you stopped everytime from going out with a new girl.” Priya looked down to find her hand clasped between Ram's firm grip. The warmth of his hands were still magical. He never came so close to her in past days. Yes he did a few times but those were done playfully. “I am that friend who loves you dearly.” The last few words made Priya look at him to drown into his deep blue eyes. His gaze deepens with time. With a wind chime ringing by the window which Ram kept open the couple shivered back to the reality.

“Ram can we come back to the point?” Priya asked taking back her hands away from his hiding them under the fabric. Ram's eyes glued to the motion of the hands as if Priya took off a part of his body cruelly.

“That I should get back the X factor?” Ram said smiling to her.

“I am not in a mood to joke.” Priya retorted.

“Not even me. If I remember that was the thing in particular you showed concern about my size and shape and x factor.” Ram ridiculed.

“I am sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you and I have a request for you.” Priya picked up the paper from the table. It was none other than the agreement Ram and Priya signed other than the prenuptial agreement. She had already marked the point three with red ink. “I want you to reverse the response to this point. Please.”

“What is the reason?” Ram stood up and picked up a cigarette.

“Please don't smoke in my presence. I hate it.” Priya sniffed.

“Give a list what your likes and dislike. So that I don't end up offending often.” Ram said in disgust. “And please enlighten me why I need to reverse the response.”

“I have reasons”

“I need to know that.”

“It's personal. But I can't share the same bed with you.”

“You must have shared your discomfort then.”

“Don't you have a couch in your room?”

“I don't know.” Ram came back and sat on the couch.

“What? You don't know what you have in your room? You want me to believe this shit?” Priya flared.

“Yes I want you to believe because right now I don’t have an idea what my room is going to have and what not.” Ram was equally irritated with Priya’s unwanted tantrums. 

“What do you mean? Please elaborate.”

“Look Priya since two weeks and half I am sharing room with Rishab as our room is being renovated and Maa and Dadi together are doing it.  I don’t know what they are going to do with the furniture and other occupants of my room.  If it had been earlier, yes I do had a couch,  a study table, a Chesterfield, a swing at the terrace. And chimes in each window.  I love chimes.  They only can....” Ram stopped. “Leave it!  But why you can’t share a single bed with me?”

“I can’t. I just can’t and the reason is not so easy to tell.” Priya leaned back. 

“Look Priya.” Ram took his seat by Priya.  “Look..” Priya looked intently into Ram’s eyes trying to convince her to believe him. “You were my friend first then we fell in love, and now we are no body but are in the most sacred relationship. I will do nothing that will disgrace the beauty of this relationship. I promise you. I promise you my heart if anyday I break this to disgrace our presence as man and wife. I promise you. In return I need only one thing.  Trust. Trust me once for the last time. This time if I fail, take my heart out that moment only. I will not give you excuses.”

She don’t know what happened inside. Her heart churned. It ached. None of them tried to look away. Absorbing the beauty and truth of their new life they sat holding each other's hand. The knocks at the door exhausted and Meera was compelled to ring the door bell. Its harsh sound made the couple look together to the door. Their eyes meet after they felt the awkwardness. Snatching out their hands they stood up and Ram replied to the constantly ringing door bell.

As soon as Ram opened the door Meera came in Raven's speed and snatched Priya as if she was her prey. “You two want me to get brutally scolded by Amarnath ji and Sudheer ji. You will get much time to romance.”

“Meera. Wait.” Priya said while the other pulled her out.

“No. You are coming with me right now. Yaar I have to get you ready by 6. Flight is at 9. Do you think it is a joke. Now dare you open your mouth again.” Meera pulled Priya ignoring her every plea. Ram waited at the door till her wife vanished at the first turn. Priya also looked behind till the end of the nook.

Closing the door behind Ram came inside and his eyes fell straight at Priya's phone and the agreement paper. He took the phone in his hand and found it locked. Without no other thoughts he put the phone in the kurta's pocket that he was scheduled to wear next morning.

Sitting on the couch where Priya sat few minutes ago, he looked down to his hands. Bringing them near his face he covered it with those. The sweet fragrance that Priya wore left behind a hypnotic spell. He could feel her touch her soft touch on his face as he caressed his face with his own hands.

Sitting for several minutes Ram picked up his diary and pen and started scribbling.

“My dear Stranger Love,

I submit every single time only to you.

After a long wait when your first letter came to me..

Like a drop of water after a prolonged drought.

A sudden peace touched me;

In my erring and faithless life.

Love conquered us that day....

Those all little trickling ego and huff

Sometimes we fought a little more;

But the way we looked back,

And pretended not seeing one another.

Love conquered that day.

I still remember that nook of the road,

Your one view rooted me to eternity.

When your stretched out hand touched mine,

That one touch defeated my melancholy.

I promised me that day;

I will hold your hand for the good.

I will hold your hand to live.

You came like a stranger

To stay in my heart always and forever.

A true and sacred feeling.... of Love.”

He closed his diary and tried to sleep.

“My phone remained with Ram. Let me bring it back!” Priya tried opening door.

“Ram will not fry your phone to have phone papad. Neither will it jump to life without your face, so relax.” Meera replied jocularly.

“Ha ha ha .. very funny. But what if someone calls me?” Priya retorted.

“Meri Maa. Who hell on this earth will call you at this wee hours?” she clasped her hand near her face and requested her to sleep atleast for an hour or two.

“I will. Right now I am not feeling sleepy. You take some rest. You have a long day to go.” Priya sat casually darting her look to the trolleys those were kept at a corner of the room in a row.

“Those are Ram's and yours. Gifts. All the green ones are of Ram and the brown ones are yours.” Meera yawned. “Priya promise me you will not go out for phone hunt after I sleep. It is with your husband he will not eat it up!”

“I will not. Promise.”

“Don't break your promise.”

“Ever did I?”

“Thank you. But try to sleep for few hours. You will have a long day at Mumbai. A long list of rituals are there and most importantly a new place among new people.” Meera said under her deep and big yawn. “Good  night...” she covered herself with the ac blanket and turned to the other side lying on one of the two beds. Exhaustion pushed her into deep slumber as soon as she shut her eyes tight.

Priya walked to the trolleys and opened one by one and found an array of gifts for them inside. And then something struck her. She looked around searching a gift envelope and a paper or a paper only. Any of the two will do the needful. She was lucky to get both. From the bundle of many she chose a gifting envelope and picked up the half torn gift wrapping paper and sat on the couch after pulling the coffee table near her.

Before she wrote she waited for several minutes. Bending down, coming closer to the paper she started scribbling.

Make me

Make me the girl you want to see.

Make me the girl you want to breathe.

Make me a girl you would love to love.

Make me that girl whom you desire.

Make me a girl who can make you happy.

Make me the girl who can give the flesh.

Make me that girl who never squeaks.

Make me a girl who is not a spoil. 

Make me that girl whom you desire.

Make me a dream that I have never seen.

Make me a girl I never was...

Priya folded the paper, enclosing it in the envelope she slipped it inside the first bag among the three those were packed for Ram with gifts.

Next Morning.

“Amarmath I need to share a little development with you.” Sudheer said as the two co parents sat together with morning tea. Jayesh joined them little later delaying by a minute or two.

“Sudheer please go ahead you don't need to make me feel like groom's father.” Amarnath smiled. After him Jayesh smiled too.

“Jayesh help me in this.” Sudheer looked to his friend.

“Amarnath, looking into the danger that is prevailing over Priya, we and the board of directors suggested to appoint a personal body guard for Priya.” Jayesh spoke straight to the point. “And Vishesh, whom we appointed was Priya's bodyguard in past. Priya released him 7 years ago. He has a marshal arts school in Mumbai itself. He will join her direct at your place. He will be with Priya from 8 to 8. 12 hours. But if needed after that hours, he will be there. You just need to allow him to stay there and give him a room to stay if anyday he needs to stay overnight.”

“After that day's showdown I was thinking the same. She has threats. I agree with your decision. I have no issue in agreeing with you guys. I will look into it.” Amarnath smiled to the two men.

~~

On scheduled time, Priya was ready to leave for her in law's house. Clad in Red Saree, she sat in front of the mirror when Shipra cane inside wiping tears away from the corner of her eyes. She smiled looking at her daughter. Putting the loose end of the saree over her head Shipra tried to smile but she ended sobbing in turn.

“Maa.” Priya turned and hugged her mother. “Is it needed?” reciprocating her hug Shipra cried caressing Priya's head. “I don't want to go Maa. I don't want to..” clinging to her mother Priya sobbed badly. “Maa how would I live without you?”

“I also can't live without you beta.” Shipra caressed her daughter's beauty with her eyes.

“Now stop crying you two.” Meera came inside with a feeble smile. Hugging Priya she somehow stopped her from showing up her own state of mind. “Priya who will stop you from coming to Delhi? And Shipra ji you forgot Priya brought that pent house for you only. So you mother daughter stop all these other wise I will end up crying too.” She hugged Priya tight before whispering to her, “I will miss you.” Priya felt a tear drop on her shoulder. She hurryingly reciprocated the hug.

With the knock at the door, Priya broke the hug. Sudheer and Jayesh came in next with Ashok by their side.

“Priya.” Sudheer lovingly kept his hand on his daughter's head. “Beta make your in laws proud like you always made us.”

Priya shut her eyes tight to hug her father. She came out of it when she felt a touch on her shoulder. Looking behind he found Jayesh smiling to her. His eyes were already moist. He tried to speak but a force held him back. Embracing Priya in a deep hug Jayesh stood in silence. He kissed Proya's forehead coming out from the hug. “Beta be happy.” Jayesh could only say. It is true Priya was not his biological daughter but he saw her growing closely. When ever there was a gap of 4 days when Priya would not see him, she used to become restless and now it is forever, she has to leave for her in law's house leaving her every dear and near one at their place.

“Sir, we will get late. Shall we leave?” Ashok said. Sudheer nodded back in return. With the nod Ashok directed the staffers to take the trolleys and put them in the car.

~~

“Ram.” Sudheer held Ram's hands in between his palm. “Beta keep my daughter happy. This is the only promise I want from you.”

“Always.” Ram smiled. Looking at Priya he found her looking down on the floor.

“Beta.. come” Amarnath asked Priya to enter the car. After her Ram came inside and their car was the first one to wheel out of the hotel and behind them one after another 5 cars left for the airport.

While in the car, Ram could feel Priya's heart. How she was feeling that time. He sighed deep before clearing his throat. After Priya looked at him he smiled. “I will not eat you up Priya. You can trust me.” He extended his hand to her with the phone secured in his grip.

“Thanks” Priya took the phone in her hand and engulfed in the silence again.

~~

At Mumbai Airport,

After Priya went inside the airport waiting lounge, Shipra became inconsolable. She wept like a baby embracing Meera. It was not the first time Shipra came to see off Priya. But this time it’s different. There prevailed a sense of separation.

~~

The flight took off as scheduled. Ram maintained the silence till the air hostess walked to them.

“Ma'am Sir.” She beamed a bright smile to the newly wedded couple. “We on behalf of the whole staffs present here wish you a happy married life.” She smiled again. “What would you like to have in drinks Sir?” she asked Ram. “Ma'am yours will be the regular one?” Ram understood that Priya was known to the lady.

After Ram placed his order, it was turn for Priya  “Not the regular one.” Priya replied. “Make it an Irish Coffee.”

Ram's eyes shot straight to Priya immediately. Before he could react she instructed the air hostess. “No fresh cream. 1 part whiskey. Serve in coffee cup.”

“Anything else ma'am” she asked politely.

“No.” Priya turned to Ram to find him awe struck only. “Anything else for you?” With Ram not responding in particular she placed her hand on his. “Anything else for you Ram.”

“Haan.. No...” he tried to smile and waited for the lady to disappear. “Are you mad?” Ram whispered into her ears, louder than usual.

“Why?”

“You ordered Irish Coffee and you have an idea of it. Now tell me who hell on the earth drinks a cocktail on her first day at home.” Ram inquired unhappily.

“Calm down. I have not ordered Bacardi.”

“Then why you asked her to bring it on coffee cup?”

“Because I love their cups.”

“Huh! Don't try to ridicule me with your instinctive answers.”

“Arey. Arey...” Neha came and sat on the seat by them. First class seats remained almost vacant after the flight took off, other than the Kapoors and Shergills there was just another passenger and after a moment a business class passenger wanted an upgrade. That's for all and gave Neha to seat by her dear friends. “You have not started family and are fighting like cats and dogs.” She smiled to the air hostess who served Ram and Priya their drinks.

“Dare you take that.” Ram warned.

“I am used to it.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Wait a minute.” Neha stood in front. “What's the matter?” she asked.

“She is having Irish coffee.” Ram said sniffing.

“So, what? Ram stop reacting like a typical husband.” Neha scolded.

“She have a low alcohol resistance power.” Ram’s face stiffened.

“I was Ram not in present tense. Did you got to know I drank two glasses of Zampa Insignia on our engagement day?” Priya sipped into her drink.

“That was reason of your bad health?”

“When did wine cause fever Ram?” Priya controlled her voice before it could reach her father in law.

“Shant shant...” Neha tried to convince Ram further.

“Stop behaving like a typical husband Ram. You are irritating me now. I have changed a lot from head to toe. I already said, You don't know this Priya. Know me to restrict. Don't force your perceptions.” She continued to sip drink from the cup.

“Right. I don't know you.” Ram's hurt reflected on the words. He inclined his seat and closed his eyes to avert his mind from the ladies. Neha excused her to the seat by Vikram. She denied to share the conversation that made Ram upset to Vikram. Priya sat quite for rest of the journey. Looking out through the window , she looked to no where.

Just before the landing Priya and Ram's huffs has to take back seat when Amarnath showed up.

“Priya. Are you okay beta?” he asked dearly.

“Ji..” she replied pulling the Pallu over her head.

“Stop these old days courtesy Priya.” Amarnath smiled as he took the seat by them. “Priya there will be scores of rituals that will take place, if any moment you feel uncomfortable don't think twice before informing me. I am not a typical old man.” He laughed.

~~

After the jet landed, Ram stood up to leave after Priya. Before leaving his eyes fell on the cup that sat on the top of the trolley, that was a little visible to him. It remained as it was untouched by Priya. The lipstick mark on its edge persuaded him it to be his wife's drink that she left untouched after the scowl that took place.

He smiled inwardly.

Until We Meet

Love

NB