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Chapter 15
"Your place is fine. You are right we need to talk and coffee on your balcony sounds ideal." Priya agreed.
Once again they drove in silence and when they entered the penthouse they still had not spoken a word. Their clasped hands and the looks they exchanged were their only communication.
Once inside the unit, Ram made the coffee. Even within the confines of the apartment he refused to let her out of his sight. Still unable to believe, that she was truly there and still unable to comprehend the change in her. He had seen beauty in the plain Priya', but now he found perfection.
They carried their coffee out to the balcony. Once again they began to clear the misconceptions and set new ground rules for their life together. No more running away - that was the first commandment. When the sun had set and the chilly night air made its presence felt, they went indoors. Her engagement ring was back on her finger. Happiness now resided in both their eyes.
"Priya? Is that really you?" Neha asked,
"Phew! What happened to our plain Jane'? And I am meaning that in the nicest way." Vikram whistled,
Priya smiled.
"You both should be sacked over this." Ram exploded at them, still smiling.
"On the contrary, we were thinking, we have earned a promotion." Neha laughed back.
Then looking at Priya's engagement ring, Neha said, "Ram if I was you, I would not go for a long engagement. She needs a wedding band to secure that ring in place." She joked but there was seriousness in her eyes as they met Ram's.
"Is a week too long?" Ram question was his reply.
"A week, oooh" And then she was hugging and kissing them again. Vikram was still too stunned by the change in Priya to say anything.
"And we are in desperate need of a matron of honor and a best man." Ram said,
"We'd love to." Neha said "Is Abhay giving you away?" She added looking at Priya.
"Yes, he is. Neha you should have told me. How long have you know?" Priya asked,
"That you and Ram had a thing for each other; since I came back to work last week. That Abhay was your grandfather, since the night he came and spoke against Ram. He followed me after I left your place, and had coffee with us. That's when he told us everything." Neha revealed,
"Sorry to disappoint you all, but that is one arrangement I am looking after." Ram took over the situation completely. He would have loved to go to secluded island on the Great Barrier Reef. But in that setting, with Priya looking the way she did, even a saint would have difficulty keeping his promise. He was a mere mortal, so totally in love with her. For him it would have been impossible. And neither did he want to pressure her in anyway.
The rest of the evening was passed deciding other arrangements, but the wedding dress and now the honeymoon were taboo subjects.
"Priya we need to talk. We can go to a cafe, but I really think either your place or mine is better." Ram asked,
"Your place is fine. You are right we need to talk and coffee on your balcony sounds ideal." Priya agreed.
Once again they drove in silence and when they entered the penthouse they still had not spoken a word. Their clasped hands and the looks they exchanged were their only communication.
Once inside the unit, Ram made the coffee. Even within the confines of the apartment he refused to let her out of his sight. Still unable to believe, that she was truly there and still unable to comprehend the change in her. He had seen beauty in the plain Priya', but now he found perfection.
They carried their coffee out to the balcony. Once again they began to clear the misconceptions and set new ground rules for their life together. No more running away - that was the first commandment. When the sun had set and the chilly night air made its presence felt, they went indoors. Her engagement ring was back on her finger. Happiness now resided in both their eyes.
"Ram begun : Priya i know you love me and you want to see me happy that's why you ran away, b'coz you were scared but i will be happy when you will be with me in my ups and downs, from now on i don't want to live my life alone b'coz my happiness is with you and not without you."
Priya was silent, she was just listening to Ram what he was saying b'coz she knew this guy loves her a lot and can give her all the happiness in the world.
"Ram : Priya, please say something, ur silence is killing me and i can't live without you anymore or eles i'll will di.."
Priya kept her hand on his lips and stopped him saying further.
"Priya : Don't. Please Ram don't. I love you too and your life and you happiness is everything to me in this whole world. I also can't imagine my life without you anymore. B'coz what happened in my past b'coz of that i was scared that what if i will not be able to give you your happiness but when i read your mail i realised what i was doing was a big mistake. I'm really sorry for what i did. I'm Sorry and I love you."
Ram smiled and took Priya in his arms. She rested her head on his shoulder and they enjoyed their coffee.
Ram took promise from Priya that she will never will fell sad or guilty. Ram leaned and took Priya's lips and they kissed. Their misunderstandings were all sorted out.
{Shreya i hope i've written this part well and you will be satisfied 😕}
When the doorbell rang, Ram went to open the door, and found Neha and Vikram walk in looking sheepish. Then just as he had done earlier that evening, they too, froze.
"Priya? Is that really you?" Neha asked,
"Phew! What happened to our plain Jane'? And I am meaning that in the nicest way." Vikram whistled,
Priya smiled.
"You both should be sacked over this." Ram exploded at them, still smiling.
"On the contrary, we were thinking, we have earned a promotion." Neha laughed back.
Then looking at Priya's engagement ring, Neha said, "Ram if I was you, I would not go for a long engagement. She needs a wedding band to secure that ring in place." She joked but there was seriousness in her eyes as they met Ram's.
"Is a week too long?" Ram question was his reply.
"A week, oooh" And then she was hugging and kissing them again. Vikram was still too stunned by the change in Priya to say anything.
"And we are in desperate need of a matron of honor and a best man." Ram said,
"We'd love to." Neha said "Is Abhay giving you away?" She added looking at Priya.
"Yes, he is. Neha you should have told me. How long have you know?" Priya asked,
"That you and Ram had a thing for each other; since I came back to work last week. That Abhay was your grandfather, since the night he came and spoke against Ram. He followed me after I left your place, and had coffee with us. That's when he told us everything." Neha revealed,
"You mean, Abhay was in Priya's bad books because he spoke ill of me." Ram felt strangely elated at the thought.
Priya smiled, but before she could tease him with her reply, the door- bell rang again.
"Someone please reassure me that I did not organise a party tonight, and forget all about it?" Ram laughed,
"Someone please reassure me that I did not organise a party tonight, and forget all about it?" Ram laughed,
"Abhay, Nandini, what are you both doing here?" Ram was surprised to see them.
"When Neha said she was coming over, we could not miss out on the excitement now could we?" Nandini said bubbling with joy.
"Well, we thought we would come over and give you the good news. The wedding is on Sunday. Everything has been organised, except the wedding outfits. Ram can you spare Priya from work for the rest of this week; we have a lot to do starting with the wedding dress etc. I need her for all of that." Nandini asked,
" Grandee, it's r..really busy at work and I have caused enough delays. I might take a couple of afternoons off and work the fittings around that." Priya said,
"No you won't, you are going to take the time off as your Grandmother suggested." Neha cut in "I can manage our work. If there is an overload, I'll bring the urgent stuff over. Beside I don't want anyone at work to see you until the wedding. Let's just say, it's going to be sweet revenge on Sunday." Priya knew this was a reference to all the people who had passed what were once very hurtful 'put downs'.
"I agree with Neha, you should take the time off. It will also give you a chance to be with your grandparents." Ram said. Then looking at Nandini he continued "Nandini are you sure the entire office is not going to be too many people. There is almost a hundred staff in all. I would have taken time off, but I have several things to settle before the wedding." Ram asked,
"Nonsense, I have catered for a thousand in the past. If Neha can give out the invitations at the office, all things will be running on target." Nandini replied.
"When Neha said she was coming over, we could not miss out on the excitement now could we?" Nandini said bubbling with joy.
"Well, we thought we would come over and give you the good news. The wedding is on Sunday. Everything has been organised, except the wedding outfits. Ram can you spare Priya from work for the rest of this week; we have a lot to do starting with the wedding dress etc. I need her for all of that." Nandini asked,
" Grandee, it's r..really busy at work and I have caused enough delays. I might take a couple of afternoons off and work the fittings around that." Priya said,
"No you won't, you are going to take the time off as your Grandmother suggested." Neha cut in "I can manage our work. If there is an overload, I'll bring the urgent stuff over. Beside I don't want anyone at work to see you until the wedding. Let's just say, it's going to be sweet revenge on Sunday." Priya knew this was a reference to all the people who had passed what were once very hurtful 'put downs'.
"I agree with Neha, you should take the time off. It will also give you a chance to be with your grandparents." Ram said. Then looking at Nandini he continued "Nandini are you sure the entire office is not going to be too many people. There is almost a hundred staff in all. I would have taken time off, but I have several things to settle before the wedding." Ram asked,
"Nonsense, I have catered for a thousand in the past. If Neha can give out the invitations at the office, all things will be running on target." Nandini replied.
"Grandee I hope you haven't ordered a bride and groom too?" Priya laughed,
"Don't laugh Priya, she almost did. I had to remind her, that Ram and you exist and have already taken those roles." Abhay added and watched with pleasure as everyone found the humour in his comment.
Priya was not at all hungry, but everyone else insisted on going out for a meal. They settled on a Thai restaurant that was on Abhay's list of good ones'. He promised them the best satay chicken' ever. And so they set off in their respective cars.
While driving, she once again offered to go in to work. Ram refused to look at that option any more. She had not even taken one day from her annual leave in five years. He said it was time to take it now. He would bring back whatever she needed from her work.
The food was indeed delicious, but neither Ram nor Priya had the appetite to eat. Every time Ram looked at Priya, the butterflies in her stomach flew hither thither.
Ram was in no better shape. By the time the dessert menu came around, everyone had given up on asking the two of them to eat anymore. They finalised the wedding arrangements and then came to the honeymoon. For an instant, Ram saw alarm in Priya's eyes and then she looked away.
"Don't laugh Priya, she almost did. I had to remind her, that Ram and you exist and have already taken those roles." Abhay added and watched with pleasure as everyone found the humour in his comment.
Priya was not at all hungry, but everyone else insisted on going out for a meal. They settled on a Thai restaurant that was on Abhay's list of good ones'. He promised them the best satay chicken' ever. And so they set off in their respective cars.
While driving, she once again offered to go in to work. Ram refused to look at that option any more. She had not even taken one day from her annual leave in five years. He said it was time to take it now. He would bring back whatever she needed from her work.
The food was indeed delicious, but neither Ram nor Priya had the appetite to eat. Every time Ram looked at Priya, the butterflies in her stomach flew hither thither.
Ram was in no better shape. By the time the dessert menu came around, everyone had given up on asking the two of them to eat anymore. They finalised the wedding arrangements and then came to the honeymoon. For an instant, Ram saw alarm in Priya's eyes and then she looked away.
"Sorry to disappoint you all, but that is one arrangement I am looking after." Ram took over the situation completely. He would have loved to go to secluded island on the Great Barrier Reef. But in that setting, with Priya looking the way she did, even a saint would have difficulty keeping his promise. He was a mere mortal, so totally in love with her. For him it would have been impossible. And neither did he want to pressure her in anyway.
The rest of the evening was passed deciding other arrangements, but the wedding dress and now the honeymoon were taboo subjects.
Neha and Vikram left soon after dinner. Priya offered to go home with Nandini and Abhay, but Ram would not hear of it and insisted on driving her himself. Priya had agreed to stay on at her grand-parents's place until the wedding. The three felt they needed the time together. And Ram too, felt it would be better if Priya did not stay alone.
On the drive home, Ram did bring up the subject of their honeymoon. "Priya is there any place you especially want to see?"
On the drive home, Ram did bring up the subject of their honeymoon. "Priya is there any place you especially want to see?"
"Ram we don't have to go anywhere. I am quite happy to just sit on your balcony and watch the world go by" Priya replied.
"No way!. Between your grandparents, our work, and our loving friends, the phone will never stop ringing. No we need to get away if we want time to ourselves." Ram said,
"In that case, I'd like to see your' Hayman Island" Priya replied.
"My Hayman Island? How did you know I wanted to go there? The only reason I have hesitated in suggesting it myself, is because, I don't want you to think I am pressuring you in any way." Ram said,
"I heard you talk about it when you returned from the conference. Vikram had said something about you should go with a woman' and you replied, Not just any woman. That place is for my bride." Priya reminded him.
"You remembered. I didn't realize that you had even heard that. You are the only one who had never shown any interest in my conversations."
"Maybe my problem was that I was always too aware of you, of what you were saying, of what you were doing. I wish I could have let the past go a long time ago. I have wasted so much time" Priya lamented.
"Are you sure you are ready to let the past go now Priya?" Ram asked. He wanted her to let go of it in every way.
"Can we take one day at a time Ram. I know I am fine about going to Hayman Island, but beyond that I don't know." Priya replied honestly.
"In that case, Hayman Island it is. And you take all the time in the world. We have the rest of our lives now."
"Ram, I am truly the luckiest woman in the world" Priya said with teary eyes.
"Not half as lucky as I am to have found you" with equally sincerity.
Suddenly Priya reached out and clasped his hand with hers and raised his to her lips. He left his hand in hers for the rest of the journey home, gently unraveling his when the gears needed to be changed.
"No way!. Between your grandparents, our work, and our loving friends, the phone will never stop ringing. No we need to get away if we want time to ourselves." Ram said,
"In that case, I'd like to see your' Hayman Island" Priya replied.
"My Hayman Island? How did you know I wanted to go there? The only reason I have hesitated in suggesting it myself, is because, I don't want you to think I am pressuring you in any way." Ram said,
"I heard you talk about it when you returned from the conference. Vikram had said something about you should go with a woman' and you replied, Not just any woman. That place is for my bride." Priya reminded him.
"You remembered. I didn't realize that you had even heard that. You are the only one who had never shown any interest in my conversations."
"Maybe my problem was that I was always too aware of you, of what you were saying, of what you were doing. I wish I could have let the past go a long time ago. I have wasted so much time" Priya lamented.
"Are you sure you are ready to let the past go now Priya?" Ram asked. He wanted her to let go of it in every way.
"Can we take one day at a time Ram. I know I am fine about going to Hayman Island, but beyond that I don't know." Priya replied honestly.
"In that case, Hayman Island it is. And you take all the time in the world. We have the rest of our lives now."
"Ram, I am truly the luckiest woman in the world" Priya said with teary eyes.
"Not half as lucky as I am to have found you" with equally sincerity.
Suddenly Priya reached out and clasped his hand with hers and raised his to her lips. He left his hand in hers for the rest of the journey home, gently unraveling his when the gears needed to be changed.
The Ferrari stopped in front of the gate. This time it opened automatically. Ram drove and parked beside Abhay's car.
He came in briefly but declined the offer of coffee. Five minutes later he said goodbye to Abhay and Nandini and left. Priya saw him to the car. It was only when he had opened the car door, did he lean over, and raising her chin with his finger, kiss her lightly. But that too was enough to set Priya's heart beating so fast that she felt her heart would explode.
He came in briefly but declined the offer of coffee. Five minutes later he said goodbye to Abhay and Nandini and left. Priya saw him to the car. It was only when he had opened the car door, did he lean over, and raising her chin with his finger, kiss her lightly. But that too was enough to set Priya's heart beating so fast that she felt her heart would explode.
Ram had intended a quick peck on the cheek, but found he was kissing her instead. It had taken a mammoth effort to pull away. What had gladdened him was the fact that it was he, who pulled back, not her. And when he saw the love in her eyes, he knew, all they needed was time and everything would work out. He was sure of it.
As Ram drove away, he looked in the rear view mirror. Priya stood in the same spot as she watched him drive away. Even as he turned into the street, she was still standing there.
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
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