Ram and Priya waved goodbye to Sheena who rejected their gesture by rolling up the tinted windows in her black sedan. Vikram exhaled deeply turning to face Ram, he shook his head like, "What the hell just happened in there?"
Ram: (in response to Vikram's unspoken question) I know what you're thinking? But don't worry, this is all part of the plan. (he gave Vikram a brief overview of how he met Sid and how he came to realize Sheena's truth even though at first he refused to believe it.)
Vikram: (in shock he took a step back, stabilizing himself to the momentum of the truth) oh my god Ram.. Sid is alive...And Sheena...I mean I always knew something was off about her but I would have never assumed that she was this evil... (he paused when a light bulb switched on in his head) wait! Do you think she did this too? The whole fire...
Ram: (spoke his assumption like it was a fact) I am sure of it...It has to be her or her boyfriend... Once I get my hands on him, I swear...
Vikram: (his gaze spread equally on Ram and Priya) So what will we do now? Priya why didn't you tell the officer...
Priya: I have no proof...
Ram: (sounding unintentionally conceited)I can't believe it yaar. The woman I respected so much almost had me killed tonight...
Priya: (spoke up defensively, sensing the hint of arrogance that the delivery of Ram's words projected) Excuse me?! It wasn't just you that she nearly killed... She probably didn't even know that you were there... Kush and I were her main target. But you couldn't be bothered with anyone but yourself...
That was ample attitude to provoke a volatile character like Ram. He took a hastened step towards her to return the favour...
Ram: (spoke in his most egotistic way) I (he emphasized) I couldn't be bothered?? Who the hell do you think saved your ass, not once but twice? You should be thanking me a millions times... If it weren't for me... you wouldn't be standing here right now with your ungrateful self.
Priya: (angrily) Wow! thank you??? Even if someone put a gun to my head, I wouldn't thank you for shit... Because of you I lost the most important thing in my life... Who told you that I needed to be rescued?
Vikram: (nervously) ummm guys... stop it... let's not fight outside the police station. Ram...Stop!
Ram: (enraged he stared dangerously at Priya; if only looks could kill) Ek second Vikram... What was so important huh Priya? Did you think about Kush even once?
Priya: (recognized the situation spiraling out of control, she decided to cease) Never mind... There's no point in talking to you... a heartless man like you will never understand. (she turned to leave but he grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him)
Ram: (getting uncomfortably close to her as if he wanted to stab her with his words itself) I am not finished yet... NOBODY walks away until I am done talking. (she grimaced when his grip tightened) What did you think? I saved you because I have a vested interest in seeing your face? (he pulled at her arm and she winced, the wound on her shoulder being stretched by his unrelenting tugs)
Vikram read Priya's expression like a book and knew that Ram was too blinded in his rage to quit so soon. Being the voice of reason, he immediately stepped in between Ram and Priya right after he broke Ram's grip of her arm.
Vikram: (sternly) What the hell is wrong with you Ram? Can't you see that you're hurting her?
Ram hadn't really noticed until it was pointed out to him. It was only than that he recalled that she was injured. But of course his pride refused to bring to his lips the remorse that dwelled in his eyes as he watched teardrops teetering along the border of her bottom eyelids.
Vikram: In front of Sheena you two were pretending to be in love but now... (he shook his head overwhelmed) Ram what is this new act?
Ram: Woh.. actually...When I hugged Priya in the police station, I told her quickly in her ears to pretend that we were in love.
Vikram: But why?
Ram:I know Sheena did this... And I think I am beginning to understand why. She was always suspicious about Kush's father. And now the suspense is over for her because she must know that Kush is Sid and Ayesha's son.
Everything Priya felt, the pain, the hurt, the anger dissolved upon hearing Ram's alleged truth.
Priya: (concerned) What are you talking about? How? Unless you told her, there is no way that she could have found out that Kush is not my son...
Ram: Why would I tell her? You have to believe me.
Priya: On what basis should I trust you?
Ram knew he was beating his drum to a deaf audience; there was no way that she would listen to him...
Priya: I don't have time for this... My family needs me...
Ram:(sighs in defeat) I'll drop you home... Wherever you all are staying now...
Priya: No... I'll manage...
Ram:Don't be stubborn... I said I'll drop you...
Priya turned around and kept walking despite his offer that sounded more like a command.
Vikram:(put his hand on Ram's shoulder to stop him from stalking Priya) Ram... leave her... Chal...let's go home...
Ram:(trying to hide his concern) but how can she go alone at this hour and in her condition?
Vikram: Why do you care?
Ram: (scoffs) I- I don't care... If it were anyone else I would have felt the same way... (vikram squinted his eyes, analyzing him for a hidden meaning) Don't give me that look... Yaar why don't you drop her in your car...She will agree to your offer...
Vikram: uhh... Not if you're with me, she won't ...
Ram:So? I can get my driver to pick me up... besides I am not going straight to the mansion just yet... (Vikram looked at him puzzled) Don't worry I just have to tie some loose ends.
So it was decided. Vikram dropped Priya to the hotel where her family had booked another room for them to stay and Ram went to his office making an urgent call to his lawyer. Nobody really slept that night, they just closed their eyes and waited impatiently for the break of dawn. Finally, Kush, who was constantly waking up every 5 minutes crying, had fallen prey to his dreams. Priya put him down on the mattress that she shared with her mother, while Sudhir and Karthik slept in a separate room. It was a pretty crappy arrangement but crap was the only thing in their price range. They would have shared a hotel room with Sid and Ayesha but that too was minimalistic with only one bedroom and Ayesha's condition, it would have been pushing at the seams. Priya returned from the bathroom, about to place her phone on the night table and crawl into bed next to Kush. But before she could, her phone vibrated in her hand prompting her to look at the display...
"Mr. Kapoor?" she thought..."What could he want at this hour?"
Priya rejected the first few times but than his persistence and her curiosity changed the course of her actions. She answered and immediately whispered "hold on...". Propping a pillow securely next to Kush she grabbed the hotel room key and stepped outside into the hallway, not wanting to wake anyone up. Closing the door behind her slowly, she turned around sharply and as soon as she did she opened her mouth to scream but the palm of his hand muted her voice... "I am dead... I dodged a bullet running through a land mine... I am dead for sure..." she thought to herself, praying that this was just one of those twisted nightmares she used to have as a kid.