Lalita's take : Friday, 10/2. Chapter 3 updated - Page 2

Chapter 2

Niharika : Ram, how was the party?

Ram : It was good. Like normal parties.

Niharika : Did you meet anyone you knew?

Ram : No, they were all Vikram's new colleagues.

Niharika keeps looking at them for some time. Her sharp mind immediately sees and understands that Ram & Priya are on the brink of an important breakthrough in their relationship. She gets paranoid and realizes that she has to do something immediately. To stop them. To stop them from progressing further in their relationship. To ensure that there is chance of Ram's next generation. She is the queen of Kapoor Mansion. She married someone 30 years older than her and sacrificed her life just to be able to enjoy all this. And she wasn't going to give up her sole and exclusive right to all this.

Desperate times required desperate measures. There's a wicked gleam in Niharika's eyes. Priya sees this and suddenly shivers.

Nikarika : Ram, can you come with me for some time ? There's something I need to dicuss very urgently. Priya beta, you can go and rest. Ram will join you in half an hour.

Priya nods her head and walks up the stairs. Ram's eyes follow her up. He gets frustrated because he doesn't want to break the moment. He wants to sit with Priya and talk to her.

Ram : Can we discuss this tomorrow morning? I'm very tired now.

Niharika : I have to attend the Lions Club auction tomorrow. I won't take long. Chalo Ram.

She walks towards her room. Ram follows her.

They reach Niharika's room. Niharika stands beside the bed, not saying anything. Ram gets impatient. He asks her to tell him what was bothering her.

Niharika : Ram, mujhe pata nahin main yeh baat tumhe kaise bolu.

Ram, now a bit worried : What is the matter?

Niharika gives a huge sigh : Ram, I've realized that I've failed in my responsibility. I've failed as a mother Ram. You won't understand but that is the worst truth that any mother can face.

Ram, exasperated now : Please aap sidhe sidhe bataiye ki kya hua hai?

Niharika : Ram, Mujhe abhi pata chala hai.. ki… she looks at Ram and forces some tears into her eyes…… Nutz ka koi miscarriage nahin hua. She got an abortion done and that too, with Priya's knowledge and maybe help. And all this happened before the Christmas party in their home. Our going to their house to celebrate the announcement of the baby was a big farce. There was no baby!

Ram is shattered !

Niharika continues : I'm also saddened that my daughter in law helped in such a heinous task. Main Nutz ke sasural wale ko muh dikhane ke layek nahin raha !

Ram, interrupts : Unhe pata hai?

Niharika : I don't know Ram. I really don't know.

Ram : Aapko kaise pata laga?

Niharika evades the question : Rehne do Ram. How does that matter? This is the worst day of my life. My own daughter, deliberating aborting her child when she knew how much all of us were looking forward to having a baby in the house. And moreover, my own daughter in law assisting her in that. And on top of that, parso Nutz ka birthday hai. I've planned a grand party at The Country Club. I cannot even cancel it now else people will ask so many questions. Ab mujhe dil pe patthar rakh ke iss party ko organize karna padega Ram. I feel like going away somewhere for a little bit of peace and solitude !

Ram closes his eyes. He shivers a bit, in extreme hurt and anger. Then he turns around and walks out of the room.

He goes up to his room.

Priya is lying down on the bed with a book. As has become the norm lately, she is unable to read the book and is thinking only about Ram. What would they talk about when he returned? She's still in a state of bliss, totally unaware that her mother in law had again managed to thwart their relationship, at least for the time being.

Ram enters the room. Seeing him, she gets up with a smile. Ram stares at her for a moment. There is no expression in his eyes. She gets afraid seeing his face and is suddenly reminded of his expression when she had held out the kangans to him in Australia, asking him for an explanation.

Before she can speak, Ram goes into the changing room. Priya wonders whether to follow him in to ask but decides to wait.

Ram comes out of the washroom and lies down on the bed facing the other side.

She put one hand on him and called him softly.. Mr.Kapoor !

Ram arms just twitch a bit .. but his hand are over his eyes.. and he does not respond.

Priya moves a bit closer to him …. and gently touches his head again .. like she had done in the morning. Ram angrily moves away and says …. Go to sleep.

Priya : Mr. Kapoor, Kya hua hai? Aap itna pareshaan kyon hai? Please will you not share your problem with me?

Ram : Nothing has happened Priya. Now let me sleep. I was right in assuming that one should never trust a woman.

Priya is puzzled and also a bit angry now. Why didn't Ram trust her…. what was the problem? She was angry and for a moment thought of not asking him anything more. But then prudence got the better of her. She knew deep down in her heart that her love for Ram mattered more to her than her ego. She again asks him.

Priya : Please Mr. Kapoor. Aapko meri kasam.

Hearing this, Ram sits up in bed angrily. He cannot stop the tears from falling down his eyes.

Ram : Why do you this to me, Priya? Why did you make me trust you, believe in you? You've shatted our relationship.. our friendship…everything. You've again shattered my entire life.
Ram falls silent remembering another lady who had also managed to destroy hs life.

Priya repeats again : Maine kya kiya hai?

Ram almost screams in anger : You knew and you helped Chhoti to abort her baby. Priya, how could you do that? You knew I and our families were so anxiously waiting for this baby! I know Chhoti may have said she was too young to have a baby….I'm not suggesting that the abortion was your idea. But Priya, you're older than her…she's my sister plus she's your own brother's wife ! How could you help her to go ahead with this plan? And then you allowed us to celebrate her baby in the Christmas party. My God Priya,,,.. Ram remembers how he'd spoken to the baby…..which was non existent at that time and shivers again…. Tum kaise aurat ho?

Priya draws back. The impact of Ram's words are more than a physical slap would have been. She can only look at him, totally bewildered.

This time Priya could not control her anger any more. She controlled herself with great difficulty and then said softly.

Priya : Mr.Kapoor, we've spent so much time together and you still believed that I could do this? Who are you to accuse me of violating our friendship or whatever relationship we have? If you believe anything that is told to you, what is the faith you have on me, on our relationship?

She gets up and goes to the washroom and locks the door. Slowly she sits down on the floor, resting her head against the wall for support.

Tears fall down her eyes. Why was this happening to her? Everytime she felt they were close to understanding and cementing their friendship/ relationship, something like this happened. Kisi ne nazar toh nahin laga di? Suddenly Niharika's scheming face came to her mind.. she knew Niharika would have told all this to Ram..but why? What did she have against her? Suddenly a few more incidents came to her mind… the day when Mr. Kapoor had chest pains and all three of then were at the doctor's chamber, how Niharika had behaved calling her ideas "Ridiculous". She had not cared for the well being of Ram, had never tried to find out or stop the huge number of medicines he had made himself dependant on. Were the divorce papers also Niharika's idea? She knew her hsband well enough to believe that he would never have prepared the document himself. But again, she could not fathom any reason.

She sat quietly, still crying silently. Krishuji's words came to her mind. Maybe Niharika had done this with Krishuji also? Was it possible? That Niharika was responsible for shattering Ram's life 20 years back by creating some major misunderstanding between mother and son. And now she was trying to do the same thing with Ram.

Without trust, there was no relation. If Ram did not trust her, Priya could not do anything. Maybe she would also have to go away from Ram…like Krishuji ?

Ram is sitting on the bed. Priya's parting words shocked him. Was there a possibility that Priya had done nothing wrong? But Priya… his Priya with whom he was dancing just an hour back ! That seemed ages ago now.

Ram is baffled and doesn't know what to do. He will not admit it, even to himself but he knows that he had developed the same trust, the same faith and belief and love that he had for his own mother. Could Priya really do anything to deliberately hurt him? His inner mind seemed to say…No. Not for once did the thought cross his mind that Niharika might not be telling the truth. On the other hand, accepting that as the gospel truth, his mind tried to figure out reasons for why Priya had done what she had. Maybe there were certain genuine compelling reasons which she may not have been able to share with him.

He waits for a long time..and then goes to the washroom and knocks on the door.

Ram : Priya are you ok?

There is no reply.

Ram : Priya.. please come outside. I want to talk to you. Please Priya.

After a long time Priya comes out. Ram tries to stop her, hold her.

Ram : Please Priya, I'm sorry to accuse you without asking you. I'm really sorry. He tries to turn her towards him.

Priya flings out of his arms and goes and lies down on the couch.

Ram sits down on the ground beside the couch on the ground. Why did he have to scream at her? And in such a situation when her cancer reports were awaited in 3 more days?

He spends the entire night sitting in that position. Priya feels his presence near her but does not acknowledge him. When dawn breaks, Ram gets up, gets ready and goes to office.

Priya drags herself out of bed, very late the next morning. She had slept for a couple of hours in the morning , after Ram had left the room. She felt like a doomed person. Twice her engagement had broken off; twice her marriage to her husband had almost been called off and now this was the second time, such a major misunderstanding had arisen between them.

She takes her classes with a lot of difficulty. During lunch time, her phone beeps. It's a message from Mr.Kapoor, saying Sorry.

For a few days now now, Priya had been thinking of sending messages to her husband. Sweet messages. To check if he had lunch, to check if his headaches were really gone, to ensure that there was no repeat of chest pains and…and to just ….. Priya brushed aside all thoughts from her head. And her heart. She did not respond to the message.

For the next 2 days, Ram & Priya lived like virtual strangers in their room. Both of them had almost given up eating. Ram continued to apologise to her but Priya did not even acknowledge his presence. She spent a lot of time with Rishabh and Daadi and at night, slept on the couch, facing the wall. Ram paced to and fro for long hours, dozing off when he was very very sleepy.

Next day the reports are due and everytime he tries to talk to Priya about it, she ignores him.

Niharika notices the tension between the couple and is very happy. She takes care to ensure that Daadi does not notice it.

Evening at Kapoor Mansion

Priya comes out of the changing room to see Ram fiddling with her purse.

Ram sees her and is embarrassed.

Ram : Woh main eports dhoond raha tha Priya. Please Priya, maine doctor se itni baar request ki, unhone bataya nahin. I'm really sorry Priya for whatever I said that day. But I really am worried about you. Please mujhe batao ki reports mein kya hai?

Priya : Don't worry, Mr. Kapoor. Reports are normal. There is nothing wrong.

Ram keeps staring at her. He cannot make out from her expression whether the reports are really fine.

Ram : Tum sach bol rahe ho na?

Priya : Oh sorry, I forgot that I am incapable of telling the truth ! But whatever be the truth, Mr. Kapoor, these are my reports. Good, bad whatever, I shall deal with it.

She leaves the room to go and spend time with Daadi.

The day of the party dawns.

Sharma House

Shipra and Sudhir, after a lot of introspection and discussions, gifts Natasha a small Ganpati idol, with their blessings.

Kartik : Mamma, hum log jaldi chale jayenge Country Club...Nutz wants to oversee the preparations. Aap log Ayesha ko leke aa jaana.

Shipra : Nahin beta, hum log nahin aa sakte.

Kartik and Nutz : Kya?

Shipra : Tumhaare papa ka tabiyat thik nahin hain aur main unko chod ke nahin jaa sakti. Tumhe pata hai, our wishes and blessings are always there with all our kids. So you go and enjoy yourself and come home and tell us stories of the party.

Kartik tries to persuade them for some time but realizes that they are totally adamant. So he arranges with Natasha to pick up Ayesha on the way.

Natasha also leaves for work. She understands that her in laws are still unhappy over her behaviour. She also knows deep in her heart that these are the people who actually care for her, much more than her own mother. And inspite of them being middle class, inspite of Shipra talking too much, she was stlll proud of their love and had genuinely wanted them to join her in her party. She promises to herself that she would try her best never to lose her temper and talk like that in Sharma House ever again.

Her car is still at the garage. Whilst she's waiting for a taxi, her phone rings. It's Ram.

Ram : Chhoti, Many Many Happy Returns of the day to you.

Nutz : Thank you Bhai !

Ram : Tujhe kya birthday gift chahiye?

Nutz : Kuch nahin Bhai..bas shyam ko milte hai.

Ram : Chhoti ! you're saying you don't want any gift? Are you ok?

Nutz : Nahin Bhai, aisi baat nahin. I can't think of anything right now. But I'll think of something and tell you.

Ram : Chhoti, sorry but I will not be there in the evening for your party.

Nutz : Bhai ! Aap aur mere birthday mein nahin honge?

Ram : Sorry Chhoti. Suddenly, a very very important meeting has been fixed for tonight. There are 3 gentlemen who are returning early morning tomorrow to the US. It would be at least midnight before I can return home. But please don't get angry. And I'll make it up to you.

Nutz : Ok Bhai.

Natasha gets into the taxi. This was the first time in her life that Bhai would not be there for her party. It had happened many times that Ram had arranged for a party for her and she had not turned up, having gone out with someone at the last moment.

But she doesn't get time to reflect. Her phone rings continuously, with lot of people wanting to wish her. Some time later she notices a missed call from Priya. She calls back. Priya also wishes her a very very Happy Birthday. Natasha thanks her and is about to request her to convince Bhai to attend her party when Priya drops a bombshell.

Priya : Natasha, actually there's been a slight problem. I fell down in the bathroom and sprained my ankle. I'm not able to walk at all. I'm not informing anyone in the house since everyone is busy with preparations for your party. But I just wanted to inform you that I'm very sorry I won't be able to come to the party. Don't mind Natasha, please.

Nutz reassures her, asks her to get well soon and disconnects the phone. She drops down on the nearest chair. She can understand now, that apart from Kartik, all her close people have deserted her. It could not be possible that so many people were not well or had important work on her birthday. Was it possible that Bhai and her in laws had come to know of the abortion? But who would tell them? Who could be so cruel? She thought over the possibilities. She knew that irrespective of how much fun she made of Priya and her middle class ways, Priya would never do so. Then ? The doctor? But why would she? And if it was the doctor, then she would call up Kartik, not Bhai. Then?

After some time it dawns on her that her own mother might be responsible for this. And she also realized that both Bhai and Priya had sounded very low on the phone. Could her own mother have created some fiasco?

Natasha realizes that there's only one thing to do now. She takes a taxi and goes to Ram's office. Ram is surprised to see her. He asks his colleagues to leave and makes Natasha comfortable.

Natasha : Bhai, mujhe aapse kuch poochna hai.

Ram : Haan, bolo?

Natasha : Aap mere birthday mein kyon nahin aa rahe hain?

Ram : Chhoti, bola na. Ek urgent meeting hai. I tried but could not postpone it.

Natasha : Aapko Priya ki kasam.

Ram looks up shocked : Chhoti, you don't trust me?

Natasha : No Bhai : Aap Priya ki kasam khaiye ki jo aapne bola woh sach hai.

Ram paces the room. Finally he tells her whatever Niharika had told him.

Chhoti looks down. There are tears in her eyes. After some time, composes herself and tells the whole truth to Ram. At the end she again explains to Ram : Bhai, aapko pata bhi nahin hai ki Priya aapse kitna pyaar karti hai. Aur agar maine usse aapka kasam nahin diya hota, toh woh aapko ussi time pe sab kuch bata deti.

Ram sits down. He holds the arms of his chair and doesn't know how to react, what to say.

Natasha explains to him that she knew something was wrong when both he and Priya made excuses for not attending her party. And she also explains that this is not the first time Niharika has tried to thrwart Ram;s plans for a happy life.

Ram : Chhoti, aur kuch mat bol. Main kuch nahin sunna chahta aaj. Ab mujhe sirf yeh sochna hai ki main Priya se kaise maafi maangu. Abhi mujhe sirf Priya ke baare mein sochna hai. Chhot, don't mind but I am still not coming to your party. I will discuss the rest of it with you a few days later. Ab tu jaa.

Natasha hugs him and leaves.

Ram keeps sitting, He asks his secretary to cancel all his plans. It had been a few days now since he had stopped having breakfast and dinner.. today he cancelled lunch too.

He thinks of calling up Vikram but he knows that Vikram will also not be able to help. He gives a few sketchy details to Vikram and asks him about he would ask Neha for forgiveness if he made a huge blunder.

Vikram thinks for a while and says : Dekh Ram, if you just tell me one or two lines, I cannot help you. But from your voice I can make out that you've done something really bad, whatever it is. When I am in this situation, it is only the kids who can save me. I ask them to go and beg Neha for forgiveness on my behalf. Neha cannot resist them. … But this is not going to work for you…so..

Ram disconnects the phone. He had created this mess, he had taken so many steps to spoil his own life. Why hadn't he believed her? Trusted in her?

He thinks for a long long time. Almost 4 hours pass.

At the end of it, Ram gets up from his chair and smiles. He has finally decided on a 3 step plan. After execution of those plans, Priya should be … back to the old Priya he knew. His Priya. For the first time in his life, he stops his car at a temple on the way back. He needs God's help to succeed.