'Kesa yeh ehsaas pyaar ka hain; Chapter 15 On Page 55 - Page 14

Priya reached home and was received by her babies, barking and jumping around her. She cuddled them first and then let them out into the back yard. Not feeling like having dinner, she made herself a cup of tea which she took to the pergola. There she sat and watched her dogs frolic around. But instead of enjoying the setting as she normally did, all she saw was Ram's face, heard Ram's voice, felt Ram's arms. She lowered her head into her hand. Priya, you fool, she told herself. Why have you gone and fallen in love with him? In love! She repeated her words again. She still was not sure when that had happened. Could she have always felt something for him? Then why hadn't she ever felt jealousy before? She had always valued his appreciation of her work but she never set out to seek his attention. She knew she had been grateful that he had given her a place in his company, despite her looks and drawbacks. She had always known about the condition Neha had made on her behalf too, but Ram had only agreed on seeing her work. She remembered the joy she had felt when she had overheard him refer to her work as brilliant'. Her work was her one and only concern. No, she told herself. These feelings will end up giving her more pain. Until you can let go of the past, the future must remain as you have decreed' she told herself. She got up and went upstairs. There she looked around the room. It was perfect. She could set up her little office here. Make it her studio too. With the help of the internet and the phone, she would not have to meet her clients. Technology had provided her with the escape from her handicap. Yes, she thought, it was time to hand in her resignation. As soon as Neha was better, she would give Ram her notice. Neha would be leaving after the baby was born anyway and that would have made things difficult for everyone. The sooner she herself left, the better. She knew she would always dread the meetings and presentations. Without Neha, that task would inevitably fall on her. The precedent had been set. And she could not do that again for anybody, not Neha and not even Ram.

She was jolted out of her deep thoughts when the doorbell rang and the dogs barked their way to the front door. She ran down the steps and looked through the keyhole. At first she could not believe her eyes, then, she debated if she should open the door. Finally pulling the dogs back she unlocked it.

Abhay Sharma had seen her drive into her garage from the coffee shop across the park. He had given her a few moments to settle in and then he had walked over. He therefore not only knew that she was in, but also that Priya had been at the door debating whether to open it or not. He prayed that she would. He was thrilled when his prayers were answered.

"I was wondering if you would join me for dinner. I would have rung you during the day, but I feared you might invent another excuse." Abhay was gentle but direct,

"I aaa", Priya wished Mr. Sharma would leave her alone. She liked him as a person but she did not want the attention he was giving.

"Priya, please, it's going to be a very innocent meal." Mr. Sharma found himself clearing any doubts but the way she stood blocking the doorway, told him clearly that she did not believe him.

"For heaven's sake, Priya, you are much younger than what even my daughter would have been. I am not into cradle snatching. Gosh child, I am 64 years old. I only want your friendship, nothing more, and I swear it."

Priya, absorbed what he said, then asked "Why me Abhay? I don't talk much, I don't like going out and I have no r.real interest outside of my work. It all adds up to rotten company"

"The truth?" he asked raising an eyebrow,

"Yes, only the truth" she replied,

"When I saw you having your panic attack, something about the way you looked, the way you spoke, reminded me of my daughter. I lost her a long time ago, but seeing you, was like seeing my dead child again. We parted on bad terms. Maybe I am hoping our friendship will ease the guilt and loss I feel. Give me some sort of comfort" Abhay replied,

Priya too had lost so much. She was an orphan in every sense of the word now. Those were the unfortunate cards that destiny had dealt her. And to complete destiny's pack she had herself dealt the ace card, by secluding herself from everyone. Neha was the only friend she had allowed herself. Then she had let Ram into her car and since then her life was turning upside down. She was not sure if she wanted Abhay entering her home and creating more chaos.

She was about to refuse, when she saw his eyes tear up again. "Priya, one dinner and after that if you don't want to socialise, I promise, no more meetings outside of work." Abhay implored.

Priya relented. She let the door open fully. Her dogs gave Abhay a friendly reception, and then they walked into the lounge. She offered to make something at home, but he insisted on taking her out. "You are tired, and this was an invitation to go out. If there is a next time, you can be the hostess." he promised,

Priya gave the dogs their food, locked the back door and pulled the strap of her handbag over her shoulder. It was Abhay's suggestion that they drive in his car to save themselves from the problem of finding two parking spots and they did just that. Abhay noted that even now, she had not bothered to put any make up on or change herself out of her drab outfit. But it did not bother him at all. He was just glad that she had agreed to go out with him.

They drove to a quaint little Italian restaurant by the harbour. As soon as Priya stepped into the foyer, she regretted her decision to come. She not only looked out of place, she felt it too. Everyone was dressed in glamorous clothes. The women looked beautiful while the men with them looked elegant. Several diners sitting at the first few tables were openly staring at her. She could sense some were looking down their noses at her and as soon as they saw her partner, the frowns would crease up their foreheads. Priya knew what they were thinking. What the hell was Abhay Sharma doing with a nobody' like her? She felt her eyes prick with tears. Then she felt Abhay's supporting hand upon her elbow as he led her to the table. As they passed, she noticed everyone turn and look at her, then the whispering would start. I should never have agreed to come.' she said angrily to herself.

Abhay too realised what was happening. He spoke to the waiter and got his table changed to the level above. Few liked to sit up there for it was secluded from the other patrons and defeated the purpose of being seen. After spending hours on their make up and dollars on their attire, the last thing the women wanted was to be hidden from their peers.

As he had expected, all the tables were empty giving him the liberty to pick the one he wanted. Once upstairs he saw that Priya had begun to relax. In ten minutes he had extracted a smile. He kept to the safest topic and discussed her work and qualifications. She stuttered through her answers, but when she began asking questions as well, he knew the worst was over for both of them. He chose the main dishes as he had firsthand knowledge of every dish. Since his wife left him, this restaurant had become like a second home.

As the meal progressed and no other patron came up, Priya totally relaxed. What she did not know was that Abhay had organised it with the waiter so that it would remain so. Wealth and fame had their honourable uses too.

They enjoyed their delicious meal and occasionally Priya was brave enough to look down towards the other patrons. It was a pretty restaurant, where apart from her, every other woman was as lovely as the surrounding. Then she told herself not to be silly. She was lucky to look the way she did. Lucky and safe! At this moment in time, she was quite happy. And she had Abhay to thank. Without his invitation, she would have been at home, thinking of Ram. Stop it Priya, stop it, there you go again' she scolded herself Ram belongs to another world and its best they stay far away from each other'.

But Ram was really not that far. And worse still, he had seen her enter with Mr. Sharma. Seated at one of the corner tables, he was deeply engaged in his conversation with Trisha. She had rung him at 5 p.m. just after her flight landed at Mascot airport. He had sensed the tension. She seemed nervous and elated at the same time. And he had been curious to find out what was behind the urgency. Now he knew. She had just asked him how he truly felt about the news. He had been about to tell her that he was thrilled, when he felt a strange pull, making him look up towards the entrance. There he saw Mr. Sharma and with him, Priya.

At first he could not believe his eyes. He looked away and then looked back. Priya was definitely there, as was Mr. Sharma. He picked up on Priya's nervousness and noticed the reaction the other patrons were giving her. A couple of insensitive remarks almost made him rush over to her side. Then he saw Mr. Sharma come to her rescue with a reassuring hand on her elbow. He watched them move in one direction, then retreat their steps and walk up the stairs. How the hell had Mr. Sharma got Priya to come', he thought. God help him if he used his connections with A&K Kapoor to force her into coming with him.'

Trisha was waiting for Ram's answer when she noticed that his attention has been transferred to the couple who had just entered. She looked at Priya, then at Abhay. Ram must know Abhay, she thought. But Ram's eyes had softened as they rested on the woman, and then hardened as they transferred to the man. When he transferred his look back to the lady, his expression became unfathomable, almost cold. This was a new side to Ram that she was seeing.

"Are you OK Ram?" her voice broke through his thoughts "Who are they?"

"He is a client of mine. I am sorry Trisha it's been a hard day. What were we saying?" Ram asked, but Trisha realised he had not waited for her answer. Once again Ram had returned his attention to the couple.

Ram looked up several times. He saw Priya deep in conversation with Mr. Sharma. He no longer asked himself as to that bothered him. He knew. But he also knew that Priya felt nothing for him. He tried to concentrate on Trisha but found it impossible. His eyes kept drifting to Mr. Sharma's table, and Trisha found her own eyes following his.

She also noticed that he had become considerably quieter. Nor was he listening to a word she was saying. But she had come a long way to find out his reaction. And she had to find that out this evening. She was flying back on the midnight flight.

Trisha was relieved by his words. She reached out and covered his hand with hers. "Thank you, I was so worried, on account of the past." she said.

It had to be that just at that precise moment, Priya looked up. She recognised the lady as the woman who had arrived in the taxi. So this was the model everyone was talking about. She took in the scene, the two were very comfortable with each other and Trisha's hand was covering Ram's. There she saw the ring. A diamond solitaire that shined so brightly, that seated far away it still shone in her eyes.

Abhay too had noticed Ram and his companion. But it was Priya's reaction that intrigued him more. The way, her shoulders had suddenly slumped. The way sadness had encircled her as soon as she had sighted them.

"Priya?" he asked with concern. "Is something wrong?" Priya looked down at her plate.

"It's nothing. I seem to have a headache. The food was lovely but would you mind if we left." she pleaded,

"Not if that is what you really want to do. But Priya, one must never run from a battle, and one must always fight for love." he replied with concern.

Priya was surprised by his comment. Could Abhay know how she felt? How could he, when even she was not sure herself?

Turing to the couple she saw that Ram and his companion had risen to leave. As they walked past, Ram looked up. His eyes were expressionless but Abhay was sure that when they rested on him, those eyes were icy cold. That's interesting', he thought. On impulse he waved to Ram. He knew Ram would acknowledge his salute and Ram did that. Then, Ram led Trisha to where Abhay and Priya were seated.

Priya's heart began thumping again. Why couldn't Abhay have let them just go past?', she thought.

"Mr. Sharma, Priya" Ram shook hands with Abhay, and nodded to Priya. "This is Trisha O'Neil." Then looking at Trisha he said, "This is Abhay Sharma, a client and friend' of mine. I'd like you to also meet Priya. Priya works in the advertising department."

Abhay did not miss the stress on the word friend. So Ram was definitely upset, but why? Either he did not like seeing an employee dining with a client. Or could it be that there was more to Ram's feeling for Priya? Both reasons would explain the cold look and the anger. But which reason was the truer one.

While the men exchanged their looks, the women greeted each other. Looking at Trisha, Priya understood why everyone called her stunning. She could also see why Ram had fallen in love with her. And she also knew she could never follow Abhay's advice. This was one battle where, even if she never ran, she could never win. Any kind of competition should be between like versus like'. Any other scenario would give one side unfair advantage'. And that side would never be her. The strange part was that she had instantly liked Trisha. There was something genuine about her. That was the word, genuine. She was a model, but untouched by the vanity and snobbishness that' career produced. She looked at her hand. There was definitely an engagement ring there. She was once again glad that she had her dark glasses on.

Abhay took in all the exchanges. Ram was visibly upset. And his anger was directed at him. He had already explained his situation to Ram. Surely Ram did not think he was interested in Priya in a romantic way. And then he kicked himself. He maybe 64 years old, but he knew a couple of things about life that these kids had yet to learn. One was that you should never leave your feelings unexpressed, for sometimes it could end up being too late.

And if his guess were right, then he would have to ensure that Ram's feelings were exposed sooner than later. But how was he going to go about it? He did not want anyone to be hurt, but there were too many hearts playing the game that was made for only two.

Soon after Ram and Trisha left the restaurant Abhay took Priya home. At the entrance, he carefully manoeuvred the situation so that he had invited himself in for coffee. Even though there were several vacant parking spots along the kerbside, he parked in the driveway. He told himself that if his guess was right then the black Ferrari would drive by. Since Ram knew what his car looked like, it would be wise to park it where it would be most visible.

They had their coffee. He looked at the watch. It was ten o'clock when he heard the roar of a car. Under the pretext of checking on his car, he opened the front door and walked out. The dogs escaped and Priya came running out to control them. Yes, thought Abhay, it was a black Ferrari all right. It was time for Act 1 Scene 1.

"Abhay, I am sorry for spoiling the evening. It was really a beautiful restaurant. And I loved the food." Priya was still feeling guilty for leaving the restaurant without having their desert and coffee.

"I am glad you came. Listen Priya, I have many friends, but I am just as lonely as you. We both need family. If you will allow me, I would love to be that for you. And it would give me great happiness, if you will be mine." Again Priya saw his eyes glisten with unshed tears. He had meant to act a scene, but found himself, living the moment.

Her own eyes were filled with tears, but she could not control them as he had. As the tears fell, Abhay put a protective arm around her. Thank you God for giving me a second chance' he sent up a grateful look.

Ram could no longer bear the scene. He started his engine and drove away. Abhay smiled. My guess was right. Act 1 Scene 2 will follow tomorrow. As the car went out of sight, he too said goodbye and drove off himself.

Priya had promised him that she would go to bed immediately, but sleep would not come. She kept seeing Ram and the engagement ring. She told herself again and again, that she was being very foolish. Ram was not hers, she had no claims on him and she should never have ventured where there was nothing to gain.

At 2 am in the morning, she wrote what the outcome should be. It was time for her to leave A & K Kapoor. Tomorrow she would hand in her resignation to be effective as soon as they found a replacement. And then she would start her business from home, away from everyone, especially Ram.