Priya looked around in awe..she had never stepped out of her lane and this was a total world altogether..Here people were laughing, smiling and enjoying themselves. How different she thought away from the the despair and lost hopes. She wondered if people here were always this happy..
Ram: What are you thinking?
Priya: Thank you..what is this party for?
Kaustubh: There is no particular reason..i mean you know that we need to give parties on a regular basis and there is never a reason required for it..This is just unwinding stuff..
Priya: You mean you organize all this spend so much for little or no reason at all?
Kaustubh laughed at that..Priya asked it so innocently that he could help but smile..
Kaustubh: You are not really from the industry are you?
Priya: No..i actually i mean i stay with Amma...
Kaustubh: Amma? You mean you stay at Gulab Mahal?
Priya: Yeah..i just stay there..Amma is my foster mother..
Kaustubh kept looking at her for the longest time. He could not believe that Priya came from that background. What had he thought about her and what was she in actuality..He had thought her to be Rohan's assistant but whatever Priya had said was shocking.
Priya: My mother was a prostitute and she died giving birth to me. I am brought up by Amma..I do not work here..Priya added the last sentence without meeting Kaustubh's eyes. For the first time in her life she was ashamed of who she was, her background..She kept looking down unaware that Kaustubh had already left.
Ram: I know looking at green stuff improves your eyesight but don't look at the grass so much..
Priya looked up to find Ram smiling at her..Kaustubh was no where to be seen..
Ram: Here take the juice..he handed the glass to Priya..
Priya took it absentmindedly but her eyes searched for Kaustubh..
Ram: Who are you looking for?
Priya: Nothing...Kaustubh was here..i was just telling him about my background..guess this will be the last time i ever interact with him..
Ram: You told him about your background?
Priya nodded her head..
Ram: Priya..its ok..why are you getting so upset about it? Just enjoy yourself..
Priya: I am not upset Ram..its just that the moment i tell about my background the entire equation changes..My life reminds me of that saying
Hum aah bhi bhartey hai to ho jatey hai badnaam..woh katla bhi kartey hai to charche nahi hotey...
Ram: Priya..you will get reactions like this...why do you need to tell anyone about yourself?
Priya: Because Ram..truth is the only one accessory i have..Whats the use of making any relationship based on hiding facts..It was not as if i wanted to hide anything from him..its just that i spoke about it now.
Ram watched from a distance as Ranjeet and some other politicians were engrossed deep in conversation. He remembered his talk with Nandan, who had called on behalf of Ranjeet, telling him to get Priya to the party. He wondered about the connection Ranjeet had with Priya.
Priya: Ram, can we go home?
Ram looked at his watch..
Ram: Priya, whats the matter? Don't get upset about Kaustubh..its
Priya: Ram i am not upset, i did not have any expectations from Kaustubh..he did what every normal person would have done..But please i am not liking it here..please lets go..
From when i was thinking i have seen you somewhere but i was not able to recall..
.Madan slurred in his speech and was swinging from leg to leg..
Ram: Excuse me..we have to go...
Madan: Wait ..is she yours for today?
Ram: Mind your tongue ..what nonsense are you talking?
Madan: Nonsense? I am talking nonsense..do you know who i am..Madan Khurana...the god father of the industry and i am talking nonsense?
Ram: You have had too much too drink..just step aside we have to go..
Out of the corner of his eye Ranjeet saw the commotion take place..He had hit the bullseye with Madan..he knew a few drinks down and Madan would show his true colours. Also the personnel file he kept on Madan helped him with the information that he was a regular visitor in Gulab Mahal..he just hoped his luck would pay and he would recognize Priya..Priya may not work there but he might have seen her sometime..His research was paying off it seemed..
Madan: Amma...thats where you are from right? Double standards your Amma has..when i asked her for you she denied and now she is sending you to all this high profile parties? Arey she should have just named the price..i was willing to give it...
Priya cowered behind Ram tears forming in her eyes..Prostitute or not she was tainted..Amma was so right this world was so not for her..
Ram held Madan by the collar of his shirt..By now a considerable crowd had gathered there witnessing the tussle between this..Ranjeet had deliberately not invited any paparazzi but he knew that word would get out fast. He did not like Madan and Priya's reputation or emotions were not exactly his concern. To show his manners as a host he walked towards the two of them but taking slow baby steps..
Ram: This is the last time i am telling you to mind your words. One more rubbish from your mouth and my hand would do the talking next..
Madan: Who are you?
Ram: Does not matter..she is my friend and i will not bear any insult towards her..and i not merely telling you..just try it and i won't be responsible for what happens to you..
Ranjeet finally arrived at the scene..
Ranjeet: What is going on? Madan..what are you upto?
Madan looked at Ranjeet, Ram had still not left his collar..
Madan: This boy..too big for his boots..what is he..a bloody assistant..telling me to shut up? See the nerve..
Ranjeet: Madan..come with me, we can discuss this over there..
Madan: There is nothing to discuss..this idiot is challenging me..and for what..for this girl who is not even worth 2 paise..madan could not speak further as Ram's punch landed on his face with full force almost knocking him out..
Madan looked at Ram and tried to speak something but no words came out of his mouth..the alcohol and the punch rendered him unsteady and he fell to the ground in a heap..Ranjeet gestured his servants who promptly carried Madan away..
Ram looked at Priya who was crying by now. He held her hand and walked off passing Ranjeet and Rohan, who gave him a thumbs up. Once outside Ram left Priya's hand..He hurled his fist at the car in rage. What had he thought he would give Priya few moments to savour and what this had turned out to be. He slowly walked over to Priya who had by now composed herself..
Priya: Ram, you should not have behaved with him like that..
Ram was taken aback..Priya was supporting Madan's behaviour?
Ram: Priya, you saw the way he behaved with you?
Priya: Ram, i am used to it..people see me in the same light..
Ram: No Priya...its not people..its you..you see yourself in the same light..Priya..you have dignity..self respect as much as i do and whatever you do as a profession no one and i repeat no one has the right to insult you..and as long as i am there with you i will not tolerate it..
Priya: He could jeopardize your career..
Ram: Like he can do that..please Priya..this is not some movie..
Ram: Get into the car..we are going ...
Priya without another word got into the car. There was silence through the journey neither of them speaking another word. Priya was thinking about the whole scene at the party. She should have not gone in the first place. Amma was so right when she had initially not allowed her to be a part of this..She was not angry at what Madan had said about her but upset and worried for Ram. He had taken on one of the veterans of the industry and that was a bad career move..Priya came out of her thoughts as the car came to a halt. It was an unfamiliar location..She looked t Ram questioningly..
Ram: I cannot sleep if i have not eaten..Ram replied to her..
A smile crept on Priya's face..as she stepped out of the car. There was a Pav Bhaji stall nearby..
Ram ordered for the both of them and sat on the wooden benches across Priya..
Priya: By the way..i wanted to say thanks..
Ram: For?
Priya: For standing up for me..for giving me respect..
Ram: That goes without saying Priya..Ram watched as the hot Pav Bhaji plate was kept in front of them. Without another word he dug into it relishing the taste.
Priya laughed as she saw him attacking the food with vengeance..She slowly took a bite herself..It was tasty..this was also a new experience for her..Eating road side stuff. Amma allowed them to eat but normally it was Santosh who went out and brought parcels for them. This joy of seeing your food being prepared and then eating it hot was knew to her..
Priya: What about your family? You stay alone?
Priya watched as Ram's brows twitched together forming worrisome lines on his forehead..
He broke of a neat piece of bread for himself before answering her question..
Ram: My mother is no more and my dad had more or less severed his relations with me..so you can say i am alone..
What an irony Priya thought..she did not have her family and she yearned for one. Here Ram atleast had his dad but they were not together..God played a funny game with humans..some people get surplus..like Kaustubh..and some like Ram get equilibrium and some like her get deficit..
They finished their food and headed towards home. As promised Ram dropped Priya way before 11. Priya came to Amma's room but she was sleeping. After confirming that she had taken her medicine on time Priya retreated to her room. As she lay on her bed she thought about Ram..the way he had behaved with her and Kaustubh who had walked away when she told the truth..She recalled an earlier interview she had seen of Kaustubh..who had claimed that he treated all women with respect, not that he had misbehaved with her but then his reaction had been shocking..She closed her eyes.she was never going to speak to Kaustubh again.
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Kaustubh watched as the servants placed Madan in one of the numerous guestrooms. Ranjeet was also there..
Kaustubh: Dad..whats wrong with him?
Ranjeet: Too much to drink...his belly cannot handle it now..
Kaustubh chuckled at that..
Kaustubh: What was the commotion there all about?
Ranjeet: First tell me why did you leave the party? Did you attend to the special guest?
Kaustubh: Dad she stays at a red light area..
Ranjeet: I know that..
Kaustubh: You know?
Ranjeet: afcourse..Kaustubh..is that the reason you came up?
Kaustubh: Yeah..i mean how can i be friends with..
Ranjeet: You are right son..you cannot be friends with her but you can have some fun on the side right?
Kaustubh: Dad..i am not getting what you are saying...
Ranjeet: Come on Kaustubh..you and me very well know you are not living a saintly life..Don't tell me that if you had not known the truth you would not have tried your chances with her...
Kaustubh: Dad,,true but she
Ranjeet: She just lives there Kaustubh..and isnt she more suitable to you than all those high profile heroines and models you are after? I never thought you to be so lame...just think of it ..with her it would be no scandal..nothing..you can keep her as long as you want..
Kaustubh: The way i behaved today i don't think she will fall for me now..
Ranjeet: That's where you lack son...your thinking is till the closing of all doors..i only think after all doors are closed...there is one man who will help us in this..
Kaustubh: Who?
Ranjeet: Ram...
Kaustubh: That assistant? But why?
Ranjeet: Because we will finance his picture...a offer that he can never refuse..
To be Continued...
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Udne Ki Aasha
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