"Aankhon Mein Jiske Koi To Khwaab Hai
Khush Hai Wahi Jo Thoda Betaab Hai
Zindagi Mein Koi Aarzu Kijiye
Phir Dekhiye" (Song courtesy: https://youtu.be/Y5GFRoVmmAM?t=2)
Priya...standing in front of the changing mirror...trying one of her old pair of clothes...pondering why people think that the feeling of love can't be seen? She could see their love...visibly growing inside her...a bit of her and a bit of him...in the form of a life...breathing inmost...blessing her with the feel of content...making her complete as a lady!
The past three months of span have to be the most blessed phase of her married life ...all their family members were so overwhelmed with the news of her expectancy...showering their love and blessings...(doesn't matter if it was through daily basis video calls)..Everybody added their input to keep the Kapoor inherent safe and sound.. be it Dadi instructing on which position Priya should sleep or Shipra sending a long list of do's and don'ts. Be it Natasha designing some comfortable shoes for Priya or Neha advising on how Priya shouldn't lose her hold on Ram while expecting their first child...Rishabh and Vikram's kids were not lagging behind...they also kept sending drawings and teddy for the new baby who is just about to join their gang soon...while Ayesha & Kartik kept suggesting names for the junior Kapoor! Vikram found it difficult to handle the so over inquisitive Father to be Ram who just did not know how to absorb the happiness that life has showered him with! Priya strived to deal with her growing sensation and morning sickness though she found those struggle so insignificant in front the divine feeling of motherhood...altogether it has to be the most honorable experience in one's life to nurture a life inside her..a life made of full their love...
While the entire family got busy in the preparation to welcome the new addition to the ancestry, most probably Sudhir and Ram were the only ones who were more concerned about Priya's health than the little one! Priya felt so prized that how the two most important men in her life prioritized her!
The only person who couldn't send her blessings to the pregnant couple was Krishna Kapoor...though she didn't leave any stone to pray for their well being! (KK is now settled in Gurdaspur with Dadi & Apeeksha)...
Ram well endeavoured not to make Priya feel that she was far away from her family while being in the most vulnerable stage of her life...the man who was so reluctant to compromise with his work once and flew away on the second day of their marriage, rescheduled all his important meetings which was schemed abroad...just to make sure that he doesn't have to leave Priya alone or she doesn't need to accompany him on a hectic business deal...the man who was so cleanliness freak...happily accommodated her growing nausea...though Shipra and Dadi wanted to stay with them during the period of expectancy, they eventually did not, thinking that they should leave the couple alone for a while to enjoy the bliss of their married life...after all, they were so convinced with Ram...and how they couldn't get assured? Ram is on a "work from home" spree since the last 3 months...at times, Priya feels that not only she is expecting their first baby...but he is also carrying the load being the Father...it wouldn't be wrong to say that THEY are pregnant..it makes her grin thinking that neither her silly demands nor her mood swings could ever really get on his nerves...just because she had to adjust her diet chart by taking out the green tea from the list...he has also given away OCD (obsessive coffee disorder)...Though Priya insisted him that there was no need for all these...he instructed the cooks to take out his favorite butter chicken from the menu only because Priya had to deal with the strong aroma of it...as he feels that the Father's inclination affects the unborn as much as the Mother's habits.. it was his mother (KK) who once told this to him that left a remarkable note on his mind..
He regulated a healthy lifestyle abstaining from the weekend hangout and drinking as it was his way to express his gratitude to God...for granting him with this life...to bestow him with Priya as his life partner...and most importantly, to bless him with the joy of being a father.
**************************************************************
Priya brings out a sky blue Shirt of him from the cupboard.. looking at the green T which was slightly hugging her curve.. puts the blue shirt on her while sensing his fragrance clinging her nose on it.. it made her believe that somewhere in the parallel universe...God was so pleased that she was married to Ram...
Ram..who just comes out of the washroom...hugs her from the back...holding her heighten bottom...he admires how she is glowing these days.. the chubbiness suiting her so well..
Suddenly he notices the T Shirt she was wearing...Priya, this is mine na?
Priya: yeah, but you have to share some of your clothes with me for the next couple of months!
Ram: what nonsense! These are gents shirts..i will get you some nice ones!
Priya: why? What's wrong with it? I needed only these! No malls sell such shirts...which can hold the extra pounds of the Kapoors! She grins! These are customized ones...for the Kapoors...by the Kapoor (she is referring to Natasha.. as some of the wears of Ram & Priya were designed by her).
Ram: Okay then, I will ask Choti to make some customized ones for Mrs. Kapoor as well...he smiles...
Priya: yeah, I am waiting for her to visit us...remember, she has got some work here in Delhi? She must be arriving by the afternoon!
Ram: hahahhahahahahhaa... Bhagwan k ghar der hain...andher nahi hai! So finally, someone is putting on weight!
Saying these, he takes Priya into a side hug...both share a smile as their bumps touch one another's...
Late morning, RaYa's green room:
Priya is sitting half laid on the bed...while Ram is on the desk...both glued to the laptop...Ram sending few emails to his office staff.. and Priya is reading an ebook ...which has become quite a routine for them nowadays...he searches for books on expectancy...reads it for quite a few times, if he finds the content well written, only then he shares that with her! Every evening, they read some stuff together as well...
Priya takes her eyes away from the laptop...and looks at the childlike face of Ram, his overexcitement could never irritate Priya...despite all her mood swings..even for a fraction of second...as she knew in this so-called "practical world"...true people are so hard to find...and she finds each and every act of Ram so real! His possessiveness, his childish act, and most importantly his genuine concern & care!
Priya being a bit skeptical that how Ram is going react to this:
Raaam...Priya calls out in ever so adorable tone...Ram looking above the laptop, could guess from her voice that it was not going to be her usual midnight demands but much more than that...hmm?
Priya: Ram, I am missing my desk!
Ram: hmm...keeping a hand on his chin...
Priya: Ram...are you listening?
Ram: I am missing home...so I am going to work from home!
Priya: People will laugh at us Ram...
Ram: hmm...people always laughed at me! and somebody made me understand that I shouldn't bother about it!
Priya: Ram, why don't you understand? So many things are getting piled up...how are we going to manage?
Ram: I know how to manage all these...you just invest your time in managing Mr. Kapoor! He laughs!
Priya: Ram yaar...let's be sensible na...I am in my second trimester...I am in a more stable state now...usually, people can easily work for the next two months...aur Ram, being in the fourth month, I have now more control over the morning sickness!
Ram: being in the second trimester would bring some extra complexities around..don't forget that Priya! And yaa...I want you to enjoy a healthy pregnancy...I am least bothered about the usual! You are special and will always remain so!
Priya: even when I would plump?
Ram: are u mad? In my eyes, you will always be the biscuit sized!
Priya: mmm...even when I would be left with no teeth?
Ram: yes Mrs. Kapoor...even then...when I would most probably be bald and your hair would turn grey!
Priya: why bald?
Ram (laughing): because of my ever so demanding wife, I may not be left with any hair!
Priya: haawww...
But Mr. Kapoor...I would like to thank you...
Ram: for?
Priya: for...for allowing me to make the wash basin dirty for uncountable number of times...for spending countless half slept nights keeping your arms around my back to heal the ache...for giving me some extra space on the bed to flip around all the night...moreover, for allowing me with some extra space in your life!
Ram: but I am not going to thank you for loving me unconditionally.. for conveying our love you within you...for making me feel special at all times...as thanks would just not be good enough!
Both silently admire each other...
Suddenly, the doorbell rings...and soon after that, Natasha peeps in...surprise!!
RaYa turn around and smile...
Ram stands up to hug her...Priya attempts to get up...
Natasha: just keep resting Priya! She goes near to her...looks at her glimmering face and turns to Ram, notices that both were sweating lightly though the AC was on...
Both of you are becoming so identical to each other day by day...look at you Priya! You look so like Bhai...so roly-poly! Priya blushes lowering her face.. she waves her hand on Priya's rotund stomach..Hi golgappa! Mami bua here! RaYa laugh at the Knick name Golgappa...see what I have brought for you...she unwraps some baby clothes and toys..and also some designer clothes for Priya as well..Ram leaves to get a glass of almond milkshake for Priya..
Priya: but you were about to come at afternoon na? what about your meeting?
Nutz: arey I had no meeting veeting...I came to meet the champ!
Priya: but you told that you got some work here in Delhi...
Nutz (hesitating): Yaa..Priya...I had some pending task left that I need to disclose soon..she sighs!
Priya: all is well na Nutz?
Nutz nodding her head..ha baba...all good...going superb I should say! For the first time, I am living my life to the fullest!
Priya creases her hair..the kitchen hand comes with two glasses of shakes as instructed by Ram...both the ladies take a sip...Priya praising that how tasty shakes Ram makes!
Afternoon, hall room:
Ram watching a tutorial on how to give a bath to newborn... Priya peacefully dozed off on the bed sofa. Natasha yawns in boredom...she kept thinking all her way from Mumbai to Delhi..how she can disclose the truth to Ram! Soon she also slumbers..suddenly an intense sound wakes her up...she hurriedly gets up to check if Priya was doing okay...while going close to her..she couldn't differentiate from which side the sound of snore was coming...was it Ram or Priya...as Ram dropped himself on the sofa near to Priya's one...their composed faces brings a light smile on her face...she sits on the floor and keeps her head on Priya's bed...soon she snoozes out!
After a while, Ram gets up and finds Priya and Choti sleeping peacefully...Choti's head was dropping from the bed...he tries to settle it on the bed sofa...but it breaks her sleep and she keeps her head on Ram's chest...Bhai! She cries out...Bhai...you always taught me to tell the truth.. but if I disclose a truth to you, would you be able to forgive me?
Ram gives an intense look to her, Choti continues...bhai ...I never had any miscarriage Bhai...I aborted my Child! But now when I see you both enjoying the phase of parenthood, I realize that what a foolish decision it was! Me and Kartik are also planning for a child...but before that, I want to share my truth with him...and for that, I need your support! Bhai, Kartik or his family never tortured me...it was a game plan of Maa as she wanted to create rifts between you and Priya! Bhai, I couldn't hold onto the truth anymore..i feel so guilty being a part of it! I should have told the truth to you long back...otherwise, you would always be under this false perception that how evil the Sharmas are, when the truth is that Mummy and Papa always considered me as their own daughter! Bhai..i feel so unworthy sometimes, I couldn't stop Maa that time...
Ram pacifies her...Choti..sunh...it's okay baby! I knew that Maa (Niharika) is only after my wealth ... I knew that she planned the kidnapping game...
Nutz (in a shocked voice): U knew Bhai?
Ram: yes, I always had an idea that she never loved me ...my feeling strengthened on the day when she did not allow me to do your Kannyadan...and most recently I got to know about that kidnapping case!
Nutz: and you still send a blank check to her every month even though you have already transferred so many things of yours into her name? have u gone mad Bhai?
Ram: yes I am! Did it make any difference Choti? See, I have regained everything...if I hadn't done that, Maa wouldn't stop there...she would go further to ruin my married life! And how could I ignore my promise that I made to Babuji?
Nutz: Still bhai...you should know how she tried to blackmail Priya...she is such an evil that...
Ram: Sssh...you should never forget that you are talking about your mother! I will always remain grateful to her!
Nutz (mocks a laugh): For Bhai?
Ram: for such loving siblings...for...for bringing Priya into my life!
Nutz (rolling her eyes in surprise): means?
Ram smiles: if Maa hadn't insisted...i wouldn't have got married at that time...Maa might have her own reasons..i knew that she insisted me to get married to Priya only because she felt that I would never fall for Priya! He smirks: Maa thinks that I got married for the sake of your & Kartik's marriage which is not true!
(Both the siblings recall the conditions of Kartik that he had put in front of Ram that he wouldn't marry Natasha until his elder sister gets married... but how those conditions were dismissed by Priya on the day when her first engagement called off)..both smiles recalling how the destiny played it's part to bring RaYa together...
Nutz (in a taunting mode): so bhai..what actually made you to get married?
Ram: I don't know the exact reason...but the heart needs no reason Choti! I knew so well that Priya was not among those who would get attracted to my money...I knew that Priya would probably the only one who would at least be real to me...if she hates something.. she would definitely express it! I thought to choose a real hatred over the fake love! At that point of time, I never knew that I will ever be able to experience the feeling called love with her...I was so irritated with the topic of my marriage that I just wanted to finish it off! but see! I guess we were so fated to love!
Nutz: Bhai, u know...she already knew about my abortion... ...I made her promise that she shouldn't let you know about this... still..she never told the truth even to her own family...
Though Ram was shocked by this..still...Priya earned an extra ounce of respect in his mind..he actually did not feel bad that Priya did hide something from him...he admired how his sister chose Priya to keep her secret safe...he reasoning out: why should I feel bad? I also hadn't let Priya know that I know the true face of my family...we don't really need to tell each and everything...we feel each other so well! aur wase bhi..har baat kehena jaruri nai hota..jaise har baat sunna bhi jaruri nai hoti...
Last Part: RaYa in a sea boat in Sydney...
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
