Part 11 : Sweetly Messed !( I don't want to be with you but around you)

Part 11 : Sweetly Messed !( I don't want to be with you but around you)

Next morning, while on the road, Amarnath Kapoor was pretty angry for Ram not joining them along. He even rejected every call from his father, and just dropped a message saying he will catch them before it gets late.  Now the elderly man sits with his hands embracing cheek; when he was gaining back faith in his son, he broke it like nothing has changed since he suddenly dropped his college and zoomed out to USA.

“Are you okay?” asked his wife, “I think Ram got stuck with Vikram.”

“Do you really think that?” retorted the old man, expressing his unwillingness to forgive his son this time, “Every time, Krishna, every time a little I gain faith in him, atleast when I manage to convince myself to believe in him again, this boy strikes again. I really hope you are right.” Both of them stayed quiet, “You remember that day, when he …”Krihsna stopped him holding his hands, he needed that, “which father could see his child wrapped in bandages, he sealed up to say anything , college issues and he has been suspended for 3 months. That’s all he said us, you remember. If I don’t love him that much, I would have definitely crossed his promise and try to fetch out the truth.” He was surely disturbed.

“Look, I don’t know if it is the right time to say or not, I think we should settle him down.” Pretty sure about what she was about to declare, Krihsna Kapoor said.

“And ruin a Girl’s life!”

“Why?” asked back the lady, “Why you are thinking about that? He will make a good man. Just he needs to calm down.”

“Did you just forget how badly he drinks? Didn’t I share every incident with you? If he was not my son then he would have been serving sentence in any of the jails.” Scolded Amarnath, “If he has already messed up someone’s life let him mess her up, don’t try to mess up any decent girl’s life at least. You remember how badly we wanted a daughter and we never got one, neither will.”

“He is not the same. He has changed a lot. He is much mature now than then.” Krishna tried to calm her husband, “And he is not seeing anyone either.”

“How do you know that?”

“I feel that and that is the reason I want to share my wish with you.”

“What is that?”

“I want Ram to..” she paused for a while and said under her breath, “I want Priya as his bride.”

“Are you serious?” surprised, her husband replied, “You want me to get that girl’s life turned into hell? No Krishna never. She is a pretty girl, and she is very sweet, but Ram is not eligible for her, she deserves better than him.”

“Why? Why you always do down our son, just for that one incident which neither he spoke about nor you tried to grave into it. You have that powers to find out the truth, but in filial love you never wanted to know the truth because your son chose to blackmail you.” Said Krishna, “You are the one who perfectly spoiled our son, and if he had then express his willingness to shift to USA leaving everything behind, it was you who let him go. Without your money he was nothing then and now when he has managed to destroy himself to worst you want him to behave like you want and coming to Priya, you might have missed but I have seen how easy he goes around with her. I am the mother. I saw him smiling in real that night, which I never saw in last twelve years neither in photographs, he used to send or over video chat nor when we barely or rarely meet him. He was smiling that day and Priya is the reason, then what’s wrong I did considering her as his bride.” Asked Krishna.

Amarnath knew that it was not the best place to drag the discussion, having the chauffeur with them, it was not safe to discuss such sensible matter in details. “Krishna” he toned down his voice this time, “I think we should discuss this later” he pointed to the presence of the third person there. His wife calmed herself down, all through the journey she preferred to avoid her husband.

~~

“Shit!” Ram sat up on the bed, “I need some nimboopaani” he said with his hand clasping around his eyes.

“Good Morning!” Vikram said throwing Ram’s phone to him, “Uncle was calling uninterrupted, so I chose to text him that you will be with them before it is late.”

“FUCK! Why didn’t you wake me up?” Ram cursed him checking his phone. “Shit man I was supposed to be with them.”

“At last I could see that sensible elder son of the Kapoors!” Vikram sipped into his coffee, “Ram, you are messing around Priya, I thought a lot last night  she can never be yours again bud!”

“Shut Up or I will Kill you.” Retorted Ram, calling the room service after ordering a lemonade he sat on the couch, “ She is angry that’s it! If somehow I can calm her down, let her listen to what I went through, I will win her back!” He pressed his head from both the sides with his hands.

“And you said that you have stopped drinking?”

“Priya! She is the reason I got drunk. I wanted to get drunk as much as I can,  tank up and then go to her and say her how much I love her. How much I missed her! MY HEAD!!” Ram inclined back.

“And that after she thrashed you under her feet last night!” Vikram opened the door as the bell rang, when he thought it to be the room service he stood gulping the liquid that he sipped just then from the coffee mug to find Priya there.

“Good Morning, May I?” Priya asked. She looked back as the room service guy appeared with the lemonade. “Oh! Things got so worse last night! Please make your way.” She stepped back to allow the guy to complete his duty assigned. After he left she walked in.

The whole liquid sprinted out that Ram gulped from the glass, “What the…” he stopped.

“FUCK.. atleast learn to complete the sentence that you started!!” Priya dialed the room service number and ordered another lemonade.

“And how do you know the Room service number so correctly!” Ram asked surprisingly.

“First! Vikram..” she called, who was still standing at the door, with its latch secured in his grip shocked, “You can shut the door and come in and” now she turned to Ram, “secondly that..” she pointed to the receiver and continued, “is none of your business, but only to crave your curiosity, let me inform you one suite always remains booked in my name here, for emergency.”

“Okay!” Ram drank the rest of the liquid from the glass, “What brought you here again? Is there anything you left to say?”

“It is you who brought me back here.”

“Me!” Exclaimed Ram.

“Vikram will you please stop staring at me like I am an ET.” Priya was pretty pissed off by the behavior of him.

“I..I should get shower and get ready. I am late for my  schedule.” Dropping the coffee mug on the table he rushed inside.

“Ram, did you know what I put myself into entertaining Jayesh Uncle’s order first day?” She asked, “Into my own grave, and you ..” she screamed come in as the door bell rang. This time the same guy came to serve. “Can you please take all these mess out?” Pointing to the three – four liquor bottles she said. He obeyed her, clearing up he left the room, closing the door behind.

“Ram, today you missed to join your parents and I was forced to miss mine.” She said.

“What?” asked Ram again.

“Ram..” She sounded bit irritated, “Forget it! Can you please do a favour to me?” Ram looked pretty defending this time, “Please have a shower, clean yourself up. You are looking like you have fucked yourself up!!”

“What!!” pretty loud and clear he shouted.

“WHAT?? WHAT?? Why the hell you got your tape stuck there in WHAT and WHAT and WHAT!!” shouted Priya.

“Why are you so irritated?” making a child like face he said.

“Because you have successfully ruined my day, when I should be half way to the destination, I am here taking your shit! Why ?”

“Why you agreed? You could have denied on first hand.” Ram said pulling out the tucked shirt.

“I can’t and are you going to undress yourself in front of me?” annoyed she retorted.

“Why? As if I have not done this before?” Ram smiled cunningly without letting her know, he continued to unbutton his shirt’s button.

“Good God help you!” She rushed to the door, “ I am in the café, please be there in half an hour.”

“Yes Darling!” Ram knowingly threw the shirt towards her. She slammed the door behind her and dialed a number, missing out something from her to do list annoys her most these days. Her perfect idea of starting the day has been spoiled by Jayesh, when he wanted Priya to pick Ram up from the hotel where Vikram was staying. She denied to know the exact place, but got trapped when it turned out to be the Taj Palace where almost every people know her. “Yes uncle I got him, we will be leaving within half an hour.”

Jayesh looked back to Shipra and asked her to inform Krishna Kapoor that Priya will be getting Ram to the venue. She happily dialed the desired number. “Krishna Ji, Priya will take him along.”

“Thank You so much Shipra ji and thanks to Priya too. We should think about what we discussed lately!” Krishna Kapoor said, but her husband who was seated by her was not at all impressed he noted her to drop the call and answer him, “Shaadi mein milte hain!” She disconnected the call.

“Why and when did you called the Sharmas?” demanded an answer the senior Kapoor.

“When we took a halt at that dhaba!” replied the woman victoriously.

“ Why you are behind Priya? Why you want to ruin her life? She is a very sweet girl, she is just like our daughter! Don’t do this with her.” Amarnath responded pleading this time.

“If she is not liking Ram’s company tell me one thing, why she stayed back and agreed to take Ram with her?” she shoots the question to her husband, which went unanswered and made him think too. “She is liking Ram too.”

Amarnath chose not to argue more. He looked back consoling himself in his thoughts.

~~

“Why Priya is here?” asked Vikram, coming back to the room, “and why you are half naked?”

“There is something called bath that I want to take and Priya is here to take me along.” Ram said walking inside, “And please don’t mind if I empty your perfume, I have to wear this alcohol stinging shirt and pants all the way to the venue only then I will get something real to wear.” He shut the door behind.

Looking at Ram, who just came out of the washroom, the other man expressed his opinion, “You really looked messed up!” Vikram made faces, “If you were the same from college days you would have got perfectly fit into my clothes.”

“Thanks for your wisdom, now can we leave! You for the office and I for the Madam, who has given me a half an hour dead line.” Replied Ram. Both the men walked down, Ram saw a man, must be the chauffeur appointed by Madam Priya or Madam Meera he thought, having Vikram’s name on it. “There and please make the points clear which we discussed earlier at Mumbai.” Shaking hands they walked to their own destinations.

~~

“You really sting!” Priya said looking straight to the road.

“I know and you know what! I really feel fucked up right now!” Ram snapped back.

“This smell.. Yuk!” Priya made face like she is going to puke, “What ever perfume you bathed with and alcohol, Yuk yuk.. Vikram could have lend you something from his wardrobe!”

“Ha ha ha ha very funny. Vikram don’t make clothes, he wears it and Me having this size!” Ram pointed to himself continued, “Will never get into any of his, so Madam if you are trying to mock me or trying to really mock me hard, please keep your advice to yourself.”

“SHIT!!” Priya uttered.

“NOW WHAT!” pretty loud and clear Ram said back.

“Jayesh uncle gave me your bag!” Priya screech halted the car, “I forgot!” she got down from the car.

“This lady…” Ram stomped his feet in annoyance.

In a while Priya came to his side with the bag, throwing a bad stern look at her Ram came out. “get something from here and change.” Priya said and turned back.

“I don’t believe this! In middle of the road I have to change!” Ram laughed in anger.

“I am not asking you to change your pants!”

“So!!!!! You are asking me to change, in between of the road entertaining the people for free with a half naked man?” he really sounded upset.

“Nothing such in you that people will cherish their luck to see a half naked man! Please change into anything you grab first hand. I am not going to drive a single millimeter if you don’t change.” Arrogantly Priya replied.

“OKAY FINE!!” shouted back Ram. He took out a T shirt. Throwing the coat and shirt right near Priya he put the T shirt around.

“I am not going to pick this up!” Priya turned back.

“Neither do I want those! Can we leave!!”

“Yes..” Priya said gritting her teeth.

Putting the bag on the back seat, Ram secured the front seat, he said “Let me drive.”

“Why? I can drive, you know that.” Refused Priya as she ignited the engine.

“wo kya hain naa I am still a bachelor.” Faked a smile Ram.

“Stop being misogynist!!” scolded Priya.

“And I should be fine with you being sounding and hunting me like misandrist.” Retorted back Ram.

“God Uncle why you are trapping me with this man!!!” she cursed her luck to be jammed with Ram and partially cursed Jayesh.

~~

After a drive of two hours and half Priya and Ram reached the venue. Beautiful decors made the place look Divine. For the marriage being a day later there remained some chaotic drills all around. Getting out of the car Priya could neither see her family nor Ram’s. “bhaiya” she stopped a passer by, “ Where is everyone?” He  informed that every one to be in the garden, where some kind of ritual is taking place; asking for the way, she walked towards without even bothering about the guest she had.

“Arrey” uttered Ram as he found Priya walking away, “ Did you forget that I am here with you?” scolded Ram, ignored Priya. Now she could see Dristhi sitting in the middle and ladies are circling her around. Her mother and Krishna Kapoor were also included in the troop. “ Will you just shut up!” annoyance of Priya is expressed. She tried to walk close to her mom but few other ladies blocked her way. While Priya was busy in some kind of her secret mission, Ram walked to his father who was seated with Jayesh, Sudheer and two unidentified person. He have to say sorry for his deeds.

“Bauji.” He called his father standing by.

“Amarnath, so this is your son !” one of the two unidentified men spoke, “ How are you doing beta?” asked the man extending his hand towards Ram. “Good Uncle.” He shook trying to smile.

“This is Mr. Brijesh Jalal, one of our greatest clients and one of my closest friend Ram.” Amarnath introduced them formally. Though he found his father calm and cool, Ram knew that he is going to have tough time ahead. As soon as he found his father alone, he expressed his will to say sorry for the unfortunate miss he did gave to his family that morning.

“Ram.” Holding his son by shoulders Amarnath the caring father spoke. “ Your mother is thinking something beautiful for you. Please don’t let her down. I don’t know what is stored in for future; I only know she has much faith in you. She trusts you blindly and calls me blind in your love. Lets not talk about it, about business I have faith in you more than I have in myself, but as a person, as a man if anyone calls me to rate you..” he paused and found his son looking down, “I will deny to rate you… the man who hungs his head, he has already rated himself. I told you then, first time you left for college, fail in everything but not as a human. Today when I wish to get my son back, I again want to remind you something; rise like a human.” The old man sighed and walked towards his destination.

~~

“Maa” at last Priya got hold of her mother, smiling to the random ladies around she dragged her out of the crowd, “Did you bring my saree?” she asked.

“Arey! Bhool gayi mein. Sorry.” Shipra replied with a tensed smile.

“Maa” Priya raised her voice in annoyance, “ Now what will I wear that Salwar that you I packed for regular daytime wears or the night suits?”

“Take something from my wardrobe.” Replied Shipra in most casual manner.

“From your wardrobe..” poked Priya, “ Did you ever tried to look into it, how loud and bright the colours are? I am not going to touch it anyways.”

“Why you get so hyper? Tang kheechne ka mauka mila toh aise hi jane deti?” laughed Shipra, “I have packed it in my suitcase. First floor, second room go and get it from there.”

“Thanks.” Priya walked upstairs. Before going inside she noticed Ram who was strolling alone in the compound and to her surprise he walked out of the gate and kept on walking to the undecided destination. She pulled out her phone and called him, four times he rejected her call and before she could call for the fifth time, a message from him dropped in, reading, “I respect your privacy and I expect the same from you Ms. Sharma.” Priya felt it rude for a minute or two and then she realized  she has no right to feel anything for him, she has barred herself from crossing the boundary. As her eyes fell on the other side, she found Dristhi to be accompanied by few ladies, including her mother towards the car. One after another the cars zoomed out, she sighed and walked inside the room, bolting it she dialed Neha’s number to keep the promise she made to her last night.

When the phone rang with Priya’s number, she asked her baby’s nanny to take care of the new born and received the call.

“Priya” there was a sudden silence in her voice.

“Neha, it’s been a long time I heard your voice. How are you?” responded Priya.

“How are you?” asked back Neha, “Whatever happened that time, I know how much in pain you are.”

“Thank you for the concern Neha, but..” with a pause she added, “I am really sorry if I hurt you but I have moved on, that day is one of the many pasts that lie in yesterday. I believe in living today, this moment, what has been done or did take place, I take lessons from it that’s it!”

“But you must know something!” Neha spoke, “About Ram.”

“Please Neha. Now a days either him or his name keeps on going around me every time, more than this I don’t want to listen.” Priya paused for Neha spoke from the other side.

“If you were in pain that day, he was also in pain. You know that. He was afraid. We were afraid of getting thrown out. We were not as matured as you were.” Neha tried to gather confidence to speak further, “He still loves you Priya. He still blames himself for whatever happened to you.”

“But I don’t…” Priya uttered.

“What you don’t? You don’t love Ram anymore. If you are going to say this; please keep that as a consolation prize for yourself.” Neha sounded pretty irritated.

“Neha, you are still having mood swings I guess.” Smiled Priya. After Neha uttered shut up Priya continued, “Neha you should take care of yourself and your baby. That must be your top most priority now and about me and Ram, we are over. I will not lie that I don’t love him anymore. I do.”

“Then Problem kya hain meri maa.” Neha cuts in, “Listen to him once.”

“But I don’t blame him or anyone of you for that day, I can understand  you all were afraid about your family reputations and getting bitten up by the families, but I stood by the truth Neha, I had a moment with Ram, that will last forever but not as a sweet memory, but as something that spikes me every moment. I blame myself for whatever happened with me. I was the one who let Ram conquer me, I let Rajat to destroy me emotionally. I don’t blame Ram, I blame myself, I hate myself when I think about the day when I let Ram own me.” Priya waited for Neha to respond, crashing the silence she added, “Today I am happy, the way I am. Let me be happy.”

“Happy” Neha said under her smile, “Happy who is happy you, Ram. No one. You are living in a world of illusions that you don’t want to come out of and he is living in the world of his Priya where only love is there. Tone down Priya before it is late.”

Priya could hear the baby’s cry over the phone, which gave her an excuse to hung up. “Neha I think you should be get going now. You can scold me later, now your baby needs you. Don’t spoil his health for anyone. You don’t have the right to do so.”

“Okay I am going now, but promise me you will come to meet me. Now as you’re The Priya Sharma, a flight ticket from Delhi to Mumbai and back don’t cost much for you.” Neha said.

“Soon, that I can promise you.” Priya assured, though Neha didn’t want to hang up, wailing of her baby let her to do so. Priya walked to the balcony that opened on the road side. She could see Ram walking to and fro within a certain place absorbed in deep thought. The honking of the cars took him back to reality, he stood at a side. She could see a car stopping just by his side, from there came down his mother. Priya noticed how the elderly lady caressed his head, he looked calmer then. She couldn’t hear a single word that they were exchanging, but reading the body language Priya felt though at first he denied to come in later his mother managed to drag him inside holding his hand in hers. Priya called an attendant from the resort and asked him to get the luggage from her car’s back seat and hand over the same to Mr. Ram Kapoor, to clear his doubt about the person of the name, she pointed to Ram from the open space. He nodded and acted as ordered.

~~

Cocktail dinner.

Ram, clad in a maroon sherwani was accompanying his father from the beginning, Jayesh and Sudheer were also with them. He was getting introduced to many new people from his field. Many of them were enthrall to meet him, a very few who can be counted on one hand, had no effect. He was least interested about meeting new people or the party that is going around, his eyes were trying to spot Priya and when at last he spotted her, his eyes popped out and jaw dropped making his mouth open in a shape of capital “O”. He tried to divert himself from the informal meetings and tried to get through to Priya but every time he was stopped by somebody. At last he managed to reach her.

“Hi!” Ram addressed Priya who didn’t respond back, “can I get a hello in return.”

“As if we are meeting for the first time.” Priya was rude.

“If that pacify your temper then yes.” Ram smiled back. “So Hi!”

“Stop trying to crack jokes especially lame jokes.” Retorted Priya.

“So..” Ram tried to speak out his mind, “I mean..” he turned around and found many eyes checking out Priya. “Is this the only thing you have for this night?”

“What do you mean?” Priya gritted every word expressing her annoyance clearly.

“Just look around, every one is gawking at you.” Ram pointed to the surroundings covering as much he can.

“I think not everyone it’s you who is gawking at me and Thanks for complementing me.” Priya started walking away from him.

“Ek Minute!” Ram blocked her way. “Now what!” shouted Priya grabbing the eyeballs of few other guests. “Why are you shouting?” whispered Ram, “ I am telling you the truth!”

“That I am looking awkward! Wow I must say in these years you have perfectly learned how to spoil a girl’s evening ! That’s what you learned in Orlando.” Priya threw a stern look at him.

“One minute!” Ram couldn’t help but smile broad, “How do you know in which city I used to stay in Florida? Is this available with Jayesh Uncle?”

“A..a…I just guessed.” She tried to avoid any eye contact with him.

“Wow your guess is so accurate. Orlando..” He smiled knowing the half baked truth, “waise sach mein aur kuch ni hain tumhare pass.”

“Stop this nonsense. No one is here to gawk at me. It’s you who is over thinking.” She continued to go out from the place.

“Please Priya listen to me once. I think you should change this..” he now held Priya’s Pallu that hung till the ground from her shoulder. With the pull she stepped back, “PLEASE..” this time her voice was much loud to grab attention of many around. Among those many, were both the families. With the elders looking surprised at their behavior, Ram immediately dropped the pallu . Looking around the situation Priya walk out of the hall. Followed her Ram.

Shipra who was smiling broad looking at the prospective couple thanked God for putting everything in place, slowly. She looked at Krishna Kapoor, who was also smiling at the same time. Though this act went light and good with the ladies, it doesn’t go good with the three men. The discomfort was clear in their eyes.

~~

“Arey rooko yaar..” Ram still tried to hunt for Priya.

“Stop Mr Kapoor” Now this familiar voice is the most hated one to him, Meera said from his behind, “Let her go. Don’t you think you have done enough to spoil her evening?”

Troubled by the lady he tried hard not to show his frustration but he failed, “what is your problem?” he turned, “I know I am completely to blame what happened to her, what she did in past but God even give one chance, but you and she has declared me as a Satan.”

“Oh! Nice to hear that” said Meera under her breath, she looked as Priya drove out. The honking of car grabbed Ram’s attention too.

“Where? Where she is going in this wee hours?” Ram wanted to follow her.

“I said stop!” She said strictly, “I know where she is going and she will be safe there and you know what at least she will find much needed peace that you snatched away from her.”

“Meera!!” someone called. “You are here and everyone is asking…” the man stopped knowing the presence of unknown person, “and he is?” asked the man.

“Oh! Let me introduce..” Meera said, “This is Mr. Ram Kapoor. And this is Ashok, my husband.”

“So you are Mr. Kapoor’s Son, the successor. Nice to meet you.” He extended his hand for a shake, Ram reciprocated. “If you are wondering how I know your father, let me reintroduced myself, I am Ashok Asundi, Editor in Chief of The Economic Business News Channel. I admire your father and his thoughts I hope you will take that legacy ahead in the same manner.”

“I hope so.” Ram shake his hand with Mr. Asundi again. “wasie you Asundi and she Kumar? How come?” Meera was mocked by Ram.

“I believe she has made her own identity and I have my own, there is no need for her to be known as Mrs. Meera Asundi to get any perks. She is well capable of getting it by her own.” Smiled the proud husband embracing her along her shoulder. “I believe in equality.”

Ram’s plan got perfectly back fired to him, but Ashok came as his savior only when he asked about Priya, “Where is that retard?”

“She ..” Meera looked at Ram who was trying to suppress his laugh under his hand. “Your retard is out for her farm house. She will be back soon. Let’s go inside. Come.”

“Come, Mr. Kapoor.” Ashok gestured to Ram as he walked inside with his wife.

“Farm House. Aur kya kya hain madam ka?”  Ram thought, “And why the hell she went there.” He stood there occupied with her thoughts.

~~

PART 10 : DESTINY

PART 10 - DESTINY

Drenched in the thoughts of Ram, that evening Priya knocked back at home surprising Shipra almost. She has never turned to home before seven in the evening since twelve years. Definitely it alarmed the mother instinct in her having the workaholic daughter back by 6 in the evening. For being with Krishna Kapoor she couldn’t speak as desired.

“What a pleasant surprise it is!” She tried to convert her anxiousness into exclamation. “Priya itni jaldi aa gayi” she asked walking to her daughter, “Is something wrong?” whispering to her daughter she smiled at her trying to cover up the private talks from the guest.

“Maa, only one hour earlier I have arrived and you are getting suspicious. Come on I mean can't I take this much as privilege as a boss. I mean is that pretty much I am asking for.” Pouring water into the glass, she looked for an answer from her mother as she quenched her thrust.

“No. Never.” Shipra smiled trying to hide her nervousness. “But I am not accustomed with my daughter spending time with family, that’s something happened today.”

“Maa. I have work. A long to do list I have. For two days I will not be there at my office, neither Meera will be there. So I have a little time to waste and long day still to go.” With a faint smile Priya replied.

The guest seated there smiled back at the cute banter of the mother and daughter. She always craved for a daughter but God was not so kind to her, two times she has been blessed with son, and third time she had a miscarriage, and the age that she was in as advised by doctors she had to go under the knives. Her wishful wish hence was never fulfilled.

“Aunty!” Priya’s sweet voice took her out from thoughts, “Please ignore us, this is common and it is rare we don’t have this, only when we had a fight.”

“A mother daughter bond is the most beautiful bond ever shared. I like this.” Krishna Kapoor tried to be cheerful, but somewhere a sad chord stung to her voice. “Priya, we were planning for dinner tonight, I hope you can make it through.”

“Ah!” Priya looked tensely to her mother, who was in the driver’s seat to take the revenge turned her head other side and smiled, “Yes yes Krishna Ji she will definitely make it through. Hain na beta.”

Clearing her chocked throat Priya had no option left other than to deny the old lady, which may upset her for a while, but not for long. There is no string attached after all. She thought. “Aunty, wo,  I have to finish some paper works, though they are done by the team, but I have bad habit of going through every word and then sign them for final proposal and I have four such files to finish. So I think I will not be able to make it. Some other day and please don’t mind.” Now Priya is seated by the old lady in purple saree.

“It’s perfectly fine. I am not upset and we will definitely catch up some other day.” She gently stroked Priya’s right cheek. “You carry on with your work.”  Smiling as Priya walked up the stairs and vanished behind the large pillars Krishna Kapoor left a deep shy with a natural smile bracing her lips.

“Please don’t mind. She is pretty much obsessed with her work.” Shipra said sitting by her.

“Shipra Ji, If I place a proposal will you mind?” The impromptus reply suddenly sent a cold shiver to Shipra. “I see a perfect daughter in Priya, If I may ask her from you?”

“I.. I am not getting what you are saying.” Shipra’s anxiousness raised the imaginary mercury of the room.

“If she is not looking someone, or you have not already have someone for her in mind, if I ask her for my Ram?” Krishna let the cat out of the sack, “if only you are okay with it. I know My son and your daughter is going to get into a professional relationship, and asking for this serious personal engagement, but I can wait.” Krishna Kapoor sounded pretty relax as she ended.

“I mean..I mean..I mean” Shipra kept on repeating, till she was asked by the lady if she has any issue.

“Issue!! What are you saying?” Shipra jumped for once from her place and turned to Krishna Kapoor, “I am overwhelmed, and we were seeing eligible bachelor for Priya but she has never approved anyone of them and Ram, I think she will have no problem..” this time Mrs. Kapoor cuts in, “Approved you mean she is against marriage?”

“No.. No.. I don’t mean that!” Shipra cursed herself to spill the beans of the matchmaking she tried to do for Priya. “I mean she never looked up from work properly.”

“Then I will suggest not to discuss this with the family. I am also not aware if my son is looking someone or not, and you also ask Priya if she is okay with it or not?” the lady said.

“We must give it a second thought!” Shipra tried to convince, “Priya has never shown or extended her hospitality to anyone in past years, Ram is the exception. She took him around and also to the party. I think she is going good along Ram.”

“Yeah! May be but I don’t want any awkwardness to happen around, this can effect their professional relationship also, and that will be bad.” A sensible woman in Krishna spoke, who was equally thoughtful about the business venture that her Son is stepping into with all his efforts. “But I will be definitely the happiest person the earth if I can adore your daughter as my daughter in law. She will be no less than a daughter to me.”

“I will pray to the almighty to place the cards in its place.” Shipra smiled trying to hide her nervousness knowing the volcanic nature of her daughter when it comes to the phrase “Your Marriage” or “Looking for Groom” or “Perfect Match”.

~~

The restaurant where the Kapoors and the Sharmas meet for dinner along with Jayesh, was void of Ram and Priya both.

“As far as priya is concerned I know that girl has packed her up with files that she supposed to sign, but what about Ram? He didn’t even came back with us?” Jayesh asked Amarnath.

“Vikram, our technical head. He is Ram’s bosom friend too. He will drop him hotel and then will join us.” Replied Amarnath Kapoor, “But Signing doesn’t take so much of time and I think Priya has a PS we meet him this morning right?”

“But that girl don’t sign unless and until she by herself will check each word written on the documents and if any doubt she will call her lawyer even at the wee hours and will make it clear that there will be no wrong in signing, then only she will sign.” Jayesh said with a smile. “She is little difficult to understand, but who has once understood her can never leave her, like Meera. She understands Priya like no one else. Isn’t it Shipra?”

“Yes I agree. She is a perfect elder sister that Priya could have asked for.” Proudly declared Shipra.

“Just see where Ram is ?” Amarnath asked Krishna to get an updated location status of their son.

Dialing the number, Krishna put the phone on speaker, with a ring or two Ram said Hello from the other side. “Beta kabaa rahahain? Vikram aa gaya hain?”  his mother asked.

Ram, who was with Vikram then at the hotel, made a child like face and gestured an answer from his friend, “Maa, yes Vikram is here. He is fine and Maa I don’t think I can make it there.” Vikram raised his eyebrows as Ram denied to leave. “I have some points to discuss with him and you know we will be leaving for Dristhi’s marriage early morning tomorrow so a very few hours left only.” Vikram threw a stern look at Ram, which ended in vein.

“And Maa, please convey my apologies to Uncle Aunty and Ms Sharma.” Ram waited for a reply from his mother, on getting the same he smiled broad and looked at Vikram, “Okay Maa I will catch you later. Bye Bye.” He jumped at his place and hugging vikram said, “this is called destiny, even Priya is not there brother. I am leaving.” He ran towards the door.

“Oye rook kaha jaa raha hain?” Vikram asked.

“Priya  ke paas.  I need to see her once.” Ram didn’t waited for an answer and left.

~~

It was not so tough for Priya to attend the dinner with one file almost done in the car and café and the other she could have completed in one or one and half hours, she wanted to avoid Ram , as much she can. Now having her job done and also with the food she sat on her room, shuffling the television channels. Her perfectly toned and tasted black coffee in her right mug has been served to her. The steam from it elopes to the open space in spirals.  Stopping at a channel she smiled looking at her favorite cartoon character. She decided to go with it. Placing the remote on the other side, she stretched out her legs on the foot rest in front. She blew airs to the coffee, to get it down to a tolerable edible temperature. As she laughed with the actions, someone knocked at her door.

“Come in.” She said keeping her eyes fixed at the television.

“Beta” the elder most person among her staff spoke, “koi aya hain aap se milne.”

“Milne.. mujhse?” Pretty shocked she sounded, as far she remembered she don’t have any appointments pre scheduled or she has forgotten. “Kaun?” she asked. The man handed a visiting card to her Having the name Ram Kapoor engraved on it. “Where he is?” she sounded pretty annoyed and irritated.

“Living Room Mein.” He replied.

Priya left the room behind her followed the man.

When Priya reached the living room she found Ram in deep concentration on reading a book he picked up from her shelf. His back was facing her. “Hi” she uttered to break his concentration, first time unlucky, she now raised her voice little louder, “hi..” This time Ram looked back, “Oh! Hi. I was just.” Placing the book back to the shelf he turned full to Priya.

“How was the dinner and where are others?” Priya asked taking her seat on one of the chesterfields place there, “sit!” she offered.

“Oh! Thank you.” Ram sat “ I didn’t went there.”

“And whom did you informed that I am here not there?” Priya became suspicious about his actions.

“No one. Maa called me to ask when I am dropping in and I was not really in a mood for dinner for no reason and when I tried to apologize to you I get to know you are also not there.” Ram fixed his gaze to his entwined hands that were placed firm on his lap.

“Oh! So a wild guess of me being here came true right?” Priya smirked. “Coffee?” she asked.

“Can I have some food. I mean I skipped lunch too.” Ram’s voice faded towards the last few words of the sentence.

Priya smiled in disbelief. She dialed a number on the telephone set that laid by her, “Kaka jara living mein ana.”  Putting down the receiver she laughed , “Ram what you are upto doing all this?” She paused as the elderly man appeared at the door.

“Kaka kuch khane ko hain dinner mein?” She asked and he answered in replied in no. “Kya bana payenge jaldi jaldi?”

“Raajma Chawal! Adhe Ghante mein ho jayega.”  He said.

“Chalega?” priya asked.

“daurega.”  Ram said with a big smile.

“Call us after it’s ready and only for one okay.” Priya sat straight again.

“What are you upto Ram? Doing all these? What are you trying to prove?” She asked with a harsh look on him.

“That you still love me. You can denyPriya.” Ram hoped for a toned down answer. 

“Oh!” she shook her head with a constant smile adorning her face, “I see. So who told you that I don’t love you?”

Ram who was still smiling, suddenly became pale, the lips stood back as straight. “Come on answer me; who said you? Or it is your conception that I don’t love you?” priya asked.

“Do you…?” Ram asked with a great courage.

“Yes I do.” The content reply came from Priya, “ I Still love you, I love you a lot the only person whom I loved in my life is you. After you neither there was anyone nor there will be.”

“Then why all these!” Ram stood to walk towards her, when Priya cuts in, “Let me finish Mr. Kapoor” Priya raised her hand and gestured him to sit back. “Yes it is true I love you, but the hate that I have for you is much mush greater than the love that is locked in some part of my heart and..” Priya stood up and walked to him, with her hands resting on the arms of the chesterfield she leaned closer to Ram, “I will love you only till my last breath knowing that you are the biggest mistake of my entire life. This will remind me not to trust, not to break, not to love, not to live.”

“And if your hate ends one day then…” Ram looked at her eyes and asked calmly.

“Either that day will be the last day of my life or…” the adma’s apple danced as she gulped a lump of air.

“Or what!” Ram made his hold tight along her wrist, making her tense. The tension arose between them, Ram repeated, “or what complete it Ms. Sharma.” When she failed to answer, a thin smile escaped from the corner of Ram’s lips victoriously, “Shall I complete it or…”

“Oh! Sorry to disturb you guys…” the sudden familiar voice brought them back to the reality, Priya knew who it was. “Shit!” she ran out of the room, “Meera.. Meera” she called, “Stop please.”

“What!” Meera retorted. “I was asking since this morning and you were avoiding me like I am a blind. From the very first moment when Jayesh ji informed me that you took him out for a drive I knew there is something between you and him. If there is something then what is it?”

“I tell you what..” Ram who stood there also tried to speak up in defense.

“Please Ram stay away from this. You have done enough in past and now…” Meera cuts in, “Past !! Is this, are you?” She pointed to Ram, “Is he?” Shell shocked Meera stood there.

“Please don’t tell anyone.” Priya pleaded.

“I don’t believe this.” Meera sat on the couch. She was about to speak, the elderly man came and informed about the food is ready as desired. Priya asked him to leave for his room, rest she will be taking care off. After the man left, Priya knelt to Meera, “Please don’t tell anyone. Please.” She pleaded like a child.

“Do you even have an idea Mr. Ram Kapoor what did she did to herself after getting dumped by you?” Meera walked straight to Ram, “Do you even know how many long months she has to be treated?”

“Treated?” Ram uttered.

“How will you know? You and your selfish reasons to defend.” Meera was disgusted, “And have your food enjoy the dinner and Priya get him Off your mind. I know..” She jerked priya into reality, “I Know it is difficult to forget your love. But where you stand now is a pedestal that is made by you, you are a self made woman, don’t ruin yourself for this selfish man who is back to shower love on you and then again elope.”

“Ma’am” Ram wanted to speak, “And you.” Meera shouted back, “Stay away from her. I just give it a fuck who you are. This time Mr Ram Kapoor you dare to do any harm to her I will rip off your head. You are our client keep the relationship professional more you get personal more you will be into your grave. Mark my words. I am damn serious and you..” Now she turned to Priya, “Get this man off from your head from your heart. It is better for you. Don’t let him sweep you off your feet.”

“Meera .. I know.” Priya was stopped by the visitor, her body language showed she was not in a mood to listen any odd, “Please listen to me..”

“What!”

“There is nothing between us what you saw and yes It is true he is that boy..” Priya was cut in again, “Have you ever felt what your mom dad and Jayesh ji will do with him, if they…”

“You will be doing nothing like this. Let me handle him.” Priya looked at Ram, “I am not the same whom he used to love. He used to love a girl who always needed him to support to cling upon. I am the Priya who needs no one to walk, no one to laugh, no one to live with. So just relax I am not going to do anything that is not desired.”  This made Ram losing hope for what he saw half an hour back.

“I will take your leave.” Ram walked towards the door.

“Ram dinner kar ke jao.” Priya stopped him.

“It’s done!” he said and walked out and disappeared into the darkness.

“That’s why a series of First time was happening?” Meera asked.

“Shut up! And leave me alone.” Priya walked upstairs.

“Just Why? Priya.” Meera followed her to the room, where Priya occupied herself on the couch, hiding her face between her hands.

“Because he left without having food.” She cleared her throat, “I even don’t deny food to my biggest enemy and he..”

“What he? Why did you stop? Tell me.” Provoked Meera, “Look Priya today if you allow him to come near to you the day is near when you will go weak, Love makes a person strong right?” She glanced at Priya who is looking straight to her blank, “Love is something that makes us weak, which made you weak.”

“That day I was in fault also. Hadn’t I went with him, everything would have been fine.” Priya up.

“Yes. Everything you might be mother to his kids too leading a happy married life, until and unless his motives were not made clear to you.” Merciless Meera spoke. “I am sorry Priya but this is something that killed you 12 years back. Just when you started to live, he is back for what?”

“For nothing.” A deep sigh escaped Priya’s throat, “discussion is over, you are not going to tell anyone anything. Please promise me.”

“I can’t.” Meera repelled.

“Meera. I have come across a lot. You have brought me back to life from scratches, and you are pushing me to darkness again.”

“No I am again trying to pull you back where you belong.”

“If you are going to open up this to anyone, I will go back to Ram right away and let him do anything he wants to do with me.”

“This is blackmail!” shouted Meera.

“Yes it is. I know how to get my job done.”

“Ruthless and arrogant.” Meera left the room. Though Priya was not sure if she could have convinced Meera or not she sat back thinking about the slice of past that lied naked in front of Meera.

~~

“Hmm. So that lady is much protective to Priya?” Vikram sipped his drinks leaning back to the couch.

“She has dared me to rip off my head if I go near to Priya, and you know what she doesn’t know what I am going to do in the so called shaadi I am here to attend.” Ram said with a broad smile.

“No kand  Ram.” Warned his friend, “Please she is already pissed off don’t make her annoy more. She is equally powerful now Ram.”

“Who is thinking about business? She can tore me off as a professional but today what I saw in her eyes Vikram. She is still the same, yes though hurt in pain. If I can win her trust back, trust me she will be the first one to tear this barrier apart. I have hurt her, deep and that bloody Rajat just let him come back from USA once, I will beat him in front of his wife.” He gulped the liquid at once from the glass, “Once what he done with my Priya, I am not shameless to do that with his wife, but I will definitely make sure he begs for his life from Priya.”

“For what you will be punishing him Ram? He is not Priya’s guilt. You, we are the culprit when you will get it?” Vikram vented. “He is no one to Priya. Talk with her, she must have forgotten 90% percent of what he did, she stopped expecting from him a way back when she felt whom she loves in real. She had expectation from us from you which we smashed under our feet.”

“I was pretty afraid to face bauji then. I thought everything will be cleared off, Priya’s parents will return after that I will face her I will see that Rajat. But he flushed everything and Priya how dare she tried to end her life and what Meera was saying treatment what kind of treatment ? Was she?” Ram stood up and walked to the door. “Vikram did I?”

“What??” Vikram shrugged him with a jerk. He looked to the door as the door bell rang. “Must be room service.” He opened the door and stood in shock.

“Should I stand back here.” Priya’s lips were curved into a smile, who stood there wrapping a stole around her, with her flip flops attired in a red top and blue pants. The sweetness of voice pierced into Ram’s heart like a pellet. “Please come in.” He heard Vikram welcoming Priya inside.

“Oh! Sorry I interrupted your boys hangout.” She turned to Vikram looking at the mess on the table infront, “Well How is Neha and your juniors?”

“Good….” Vikram was about to add, Ram cuts in rudely, “your body guard let you out from the z+ security she provides to you.”

“Well Ram, she is a well wisher.” Priya responded. “She is a guide, a friend, a sister.”

“Oh yes! And we are no one.”

“In Particular!” she pointed rudely to him.

“Then why the hell you are here? And who gave you the address?” with his eyes red asked Ram, grinding every word under his teeth. He looked up as Priya coughed a little. She had cold, her wet hair indicated of getting a bath in wee hours. “Do something  sensible, at least ask your body guard before doing.”

“I do things sensible when it is needed. I don’t run away.” Priya taunted him. “Well.” Raising her voice over Ram showing the dominance to the situation she voiced, “Well it is not so difficult for me to know were you roamed all the day or the hotel you made Vikram stay. The point is “Keep away from me. I already warned you that Meera is guessing something about us, but you end up messing the whole situation, the well kept secret is out suddenly in front of the bitchiest women in the town.”

“WHAT! What do you call her?” Ram laughed, “So the body guard actually has a proper name.” He laughed hard.

“Dare Ram!” there is a sense of warning in her voice. “Keep away from me.” She turned to leave.

“How? I am dealing with you, I have to be with you, so tell me how the hell on this earth can I keep away from you? Or it is becoming irresistible for you to keep away from me.” Ram smirked as he tried to walk close to Priya, till he was stopped by Vikram.

“I forgive you Ram. You are out of your senses. This thing has taken up to your nerves. So I will prefer to speak to you tomorrow. Just remind him Vikram, this time if he even thinks of hurting me I will make sure to show him his place. I am not that you guys have as your friend or he as her so called girl friend. I don’t think once before protecting myself. What you did to me today left me vulnerable the most. So stay away.”

“Vikram convey my wishes to Neha and do say her, every letter she posted or mailed to me is preserved at heart. I wish to meet your juniors one day in person, they are really cute and just like Neha. May be someday at Mumbai. “ Priya smiled and pulled the door to leave.

“And what about me?” Ram said with his eyes red in pain in fear of losing her forever.

“Deep inside whenever you are remembered I hate my existence.” The door swung in rhythm as she moved out of the room in lightening speed.

Tears trickled down his eyes, the world closed against him. He felt suffocated. The lady whom he love the most. The only woman he loved, he loves and will love till the end has announced the final verdict. Like a lost warrior he sat in dilemma. Vikram was surprised to see Ram in tears, whom he saw last crying when Priya left college forever. He wept like a small kid who’s most favorite piece of memory has been snatched away. “Ram” his voice cracked as he called him. With his friend calling the tears turned into loud cries. A lost warrior sat there with his head hung in shame. The shame of being the reason of the pain to the love of his life. “Ram. Stop it bhai.” Vikram hugged Ram. Embracing Vikram back he wept like a kid. “Stop it Priya! You are behaving rude and ruthless more than needed.” He thought. “Ram Please stop. She is hurt.” Vikram failed to pacify Ram. “Listen up buddy!” Vikram shouted , “Stop bawling like kid. If you had the courage to do something wrong then, have that gallantry to mend it. Just stop this stupidity right now!” Vikram pushed him to the bed. “Just have some sleep.” Vikram chose to walk to the balcony and called his wife.

“Hey baby where is Ram?” Neha said, “And I am sure these two boys are not going to have any genes of mine. They are equally bad like you” she carried on in her own natural style till Vikram uttered Priya’s name. “What did you say right now? Pom jara baby ko sula dena.” She walked out of the room and repeated the same question to her husband.

“Priya. I meet Priya.” Vikram said.

“Where? I mean How is she? Where is she? Did you get her number? Did you said how badly I wanted to contact her? Did you tell her about us? About Ram?” She forced herself to sound enthusiastic.

“She is now a big name Neha. Did you ever tried to google out her name?” Vikram asked.

“No..No I mean No.” there came a sense of hiding suddenly in her voice.

“Don’t lie to me. You write to her and you hid this from us. You knew Neha how badly Ram tried to find her. He never kept her away from himself. Not to me but you have shown some mercy to Ram at least.” Vikram caught his wife red handed much earlier. He realized that both the ladies are in contact in some manner since last 12 years. “12 years Neha…” Neha corrected it to5. “Whatever. You had mend your position but Ram he , pata bhi hain  he cried Neha. He is crying like a kid. He is craving for her and she is behaving rude more than needed. If you really take Ram as your friend and if you can act a little selfless please talk with Priya. Please.”

“I don’t have her number Vikram. Trust me. I used to write mails to her and sometimes letters.” Neha said feebly.

“Do that but do it please. For God’s sake I can’t see Ram in such pain, I know he is Priya’s accused but he has punished himself the worst these years, and if Priya wants to punish him like this, ask her to kill him baat hi khatam not to let him die a little every day, every moment.”  The line went dead on the other side. Neha still held the phone on her ear.

Collecting herself, she opened the mail box in her mobile, and typed to Priya.

“when the cat is out of the bag, can I have your number? Can we speak in person? If you think it is okay then feed my number back XXXXXXXXXX

Lv yr nautanki.”

She hit the sent button. To her surprise reply came within 10 minutes as a form of sms, “Will call you tomorrow. It is not good for a just mom to keep herself awake in wee hours. Love Priya.”

~~

“What??” Jayesh exclaimed as Shipra spilled out the beans in excitement to him and her husband while coming back from dinner. “Really? Did Krishna Ji showed her desire to make Priya her Daughter in Law?”

“Haan Bhaisahab Haan” she sounded pretty happy.

“Well Shipra this has to be taken seriously. This could be the marriage of the year. Sudheer what do you think about Ram?” Jayesh asked his friend.

“Perfect Match for Priya.” Sudheer replied happily.

“But..” Shipra said lowering her voice, “There is a problem. Priya is damn against marriage somehow her past hounds her still today and may be that is the reason she is still single and turned down 11 marriage proposals.”

“They were not turned down, they were wiped out as unwanted business deals. She made them say what they said to us.” Jayesh looked out with a serious look painted, his eyebrows furrowed, “If this is going to work, no one should pass any hint or information to her. Leave it to me. This girl has to move on in her life.” Cocking his head to Shipra, “And you has to cover your excitement Shipra. She can smell the little out of you, like a mother does to her daughter.”

Shipra nodded a yes like a little kid and sat back.