RaYa SS: Destiny's play; Part 6 Pg 3

Part 1

“If whatever I am saying is true, what will you do?”
Ram had asked her.
“Haar maan lungi aur apko apki jeet ki mubarakbaad dungi. I’ll stay true to my promise of getting anyone involved in your Dad’s murder punished. That said I am sure my mother had nothing to do with it.”
Priya had answered, her resolute trust in her mother unwavering.

“Ma, did you cover up for Mr. Sood and Varun Jeeju? Tell me, is whatever Mr. Kapoor claiming the truth? Why are you not answering?”

Priya asked her mother, completely sure she’d negate everything.
“I don’t think I did anything wrong by protecting my family. My first loyalty is toward my family. I had to do it for my grandson.”
Meera ma replied.
“Ma do you even realize, that what you did is obstruction of justice. It is a crime. You robbed away Mr. Kapoor’s family of any chance at getting closure. You're the reason the culprits got away.”
Priya felt as if the woman standing next to her wasn’t the mother she’d known and trusted all her life. It was someone else. Someone utterly selfish enough to just care about her own. She wasn’t very different from Mr. Sood after all. Before either of them could speak any further, a loud commotion outside in the living room got their attention.

“Mom! Just don’t worry. My plan will work. You want Shivi to move back home, right. With or without Akki, that is exactly what’s going to happen.”
Nandini paced around the room in distress, listening to her son. A lot could go wrong.
“Shubu why did you give her the gun? What if something happens? I am really worried for Shivi.”

“Relax Mom! She just needs to rile up the kid to point the gun at her. Ram bhai will be there just at that moment. He wouldn’t let her live in a house where her life is in danger. I’ve explained everything to Shivi. She’ll manage. Besides Ram Bhai never keeps that gun loaded. It’s just a keepsake for him as it belonged to Dad, so we have nothing to worry about. I’ve already called him and told him Shivi’s life is in danger. I also made-up stories about how the Soods torture her.”
“We need to be there as well. Otherwise, Priya will spoil everything.”

“Your father is a murderer. That’s what he is. He belongs in jail. He is good for nothing.”
Shivi mocked the thirteen-year-old in front of her. While her machination was working as she needed it to, she couldn’t help but feel bad for the kid. It was necessary as Shubham had explained to her. While she continued to rile up Ishan, she slyly pushed the gun in her bag onto the dining table they were standing next to. Next, she needed to make Ishan notice it.
“You can’t stop me from speaking the truth. What will you do? Threaten to kill me? Your father is a murderer. He is a coward and so are you. You can’t stop me from voicing the truth.”
As Shivina continued to goad him, she saw him pick the gun up. Priya and Meera walked in at that very moment.
Ishaan pointed the gun at Shivina and yelled.
“Just shut up or I’ll shoot you.”
As soon as Priya saw them, she ran up to Ishan.
“Ishan! Leave it. Where did you get a gun from? We can sit down and talk. I’ll explain everything to you.”
“Priya Maasi! Tell me she is lying. This can’t be true. My Dad is a very good man. He can’t do anything like this.”
Ishan cried to her.
“Ishan please give me the gun first. Then I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”
Priya replied carefully.
“I am telling you the truth. Even your mother doesn’t want you. That’s why she left you in Delhi for years.”
Shivini piped in behind Priya.
“Shivi please be quiet. Ishaan, leave it.”
“He is not your father Ishaan. You’re my son. Only my blood. You are not related to him. Listen to me, beta.”
Sara cried to him, pleading with him to listen.
When his maasi didn’t negate Shivina, Ishan was convinced, that everything she was saying was the truth. His mother didn’t want or love him. His Dad wasn’t what he had always thought him to be. His whole life was a lie. He didn’t have to keep living this miserable life. A quick and easy fix was right in his hand. He lifted his hand, positioning the gun to his temple. Sara let out a cry. Shivina panicked. This was not the plan. He was just supposed to aim the gun at her. Ram Bhai should’ve been there to witness this. She wondered what was holding him back. Priya, Sara, and Shivina moved forward at the same time. Each one of them trying to wrestle the gun from Ishaan’s hand. A gunshot resounded and Priya saw her world go dark. A pool of blood gathered around her feet as Shivina fell.

Priya was in a daze as the events that followed came to her in flashes.

Nandini shouting, “Look Ram! Priya shot my Shivi. Do something Ram. Call the ambulance.“

Mr. Kapoor asking her for an explanation. She heard herself say

“It was an accident. I didn’t mean to do this.”

Police escorting her away. She heard the sirens of an ambulance behind her.

At least I hope ram wouldn’t be a fool in this and see through his mom’s and his brother’s manipulations

This gives major reminders of him vibes 😭😭😭💔💔

If you’ve read the book, you’ll know 💀

Anyhoo would love to read further. Please continue soon 🥺❤️

Part 2
Shivina drifted in and out of consciousness as intense pain seared through her body. She was being wheeled through a corridor, probably a hospital. She could hear Ram Bhai’s faint voice from afar.
“Shivi bache, you’ll be fine. You’re a fighter. I know.”

“Everything has gone wrong. This was not supposed to happen Mom. Meri waja se Shivi…”
Shubham wailed to his mother.
“Shush! Not a word. Let me handle this. Just keep your mouth shut. Don’t you dare breath a word of it to Ram.”
Nandani lashed at her son in a whisper, apprehensive that someone might overhear.
She instantly changed her tune as soon as she saw Ram entering the room.
“Oh my Shivi! Those Soods were after her life from day 1. First, they tried to harm you Ram, and now Shivi. My baby Shivi.”
“Mom Shivi will be fine. They’ve taken out the bullet but she’s not out of danger yet. Please just pray usay kuch na ho. The doctor said it might be a few hours before she gains consciousness. You and Shubu are here with Shivi. I’ll quickly go see Pri..”

“No Ram!” Nandini spoke through her tears. “You will not meet her. She is the one responsible for all this. Promise me you’ll not go to her. I don’t want any of the Soods near my children. Do you understand Ram?”
Ram kneeled in front of her and held her hand. She had called him her child. How he yearned for these moments, only he knew.
“I promise you Mom. I’ll do as you say.”
Nandini ran her fingers through his hair and replied.
“You’re such a good son.”

Shivina stirred as she struggled to open her eyes. The pain was intense, but she had to do this one last thing. She had to clarify what happened. She owed this much to the man who had always loved her as a sister despite her self-obsessed, selfish self.
Her eyes fluttered, and with all the energy she could muster, she spoke.
“Ram bhai, Priya di… Priya di”

“Ram, hurry up, go call the doctor. She’s waking up.”
Nandini beckoned Ram so he ran out to call the doctor.

Shivina tried again.

“Priya di ko mat chorna. She’s innocent. It was my fault. My fault. Bhai, don’t leave her side.”
She couldn’t hold it any longer. Everything around her slowly faded away.
“Shivi please get up. Talk to me. Beta Mom is right here. Utho na Shivi.”
Nandini cried pleading for her to respond.

Ram could not believe it. His Shivi, his baby was no more. He wanted to burn everything down. Nandini wailed beside him. Shubu was crying in a corner. Ram stood affixed to the ground. He heard Nandini speak.
“Ram do you know what were her last words? She said Priya ko mat chorna. Bolo Ram, promise me you’ll avenge Shivi. You’ll not let her killers go scot-free.”

Ram couldn’t say anything. Losing Shivi was killing him. On the other hand, was Priya, his Priya. He didn’t know what to think. Shivi was never going to come back. He’d never felt so helpless ever, not even when Dad had died. One thing was for certain. Things were never going to be normal for them ever again.

Priya sat in the jail cell, tears flowing from her eyes. Though she wasn’t the one who pressed the trigger, it was either Sara Di or Ishaan, she had to protect them. She had failed to protect Shivi and thus in her mind, she deserved to be punished. That is why when Nandini claimed she saw her pull the trigger, Priya did not refute her. It had been two days. On the first day, she had hope. Shivi would be fine and things would slowly improve but then Krish brought the news that was going to seal her fate.
Her heart ached for Mr. Kapoor. She’d thought he’d at least come to see her once. She wanted to apologize to him for failing him, for not being able to protect Shivi. She wanted to mourn Shivi with him. She waited but he didn’t come.

Sara Di had figured out; that it was Ishaan who had pressed the trigger due to the state he was in. Priya made her promise to keep quiet. Ishaan had his whole life in front of him. She wanted Sara to work on her relationship with her son and make use of this chance life had given them. Her mother also came to visit but she refused to meet her.

Amid this mayhem, she had fainted. She thought it was due to the stress she was under, but Krish made sure, she got a detailed medical exam done. This is when she received a flicker of light in the darkness that was her life. She was going to be a mother. Another life was developing within her. She called Ram to give him this news. He picked up the phone but didn’t say anything when she gave him the news. The call ended from his side. She stood rooted to the spot she was in. She couldn’t believe Ram didn’t want anything to do with their child. When Brinda had come to tell her, Ram didn’t want to see her, she’d believed it.

She knew she wasn’t his priority but the fact that his stepfamily came even before his own child for him broke her. Unbeknown to her, it had been Nandini who picked up Ram’s phone. This news gave Nandini an idea to get rid of Priya once and for all.

Part 3

“Someone is here to see you.”
The police woman informed Priya.
Priya hoped Mr. Kapoor had finally come to see her. Even if not for her, he’d come for his child. That was enough for her. She herself, was cursed after all. How could she expect happiness? But her child won’t carry her curse.

She was disappointed when she saw Nandini instead of that one person she desperately wanted.
“Sit down Priya.”

“Mom...” Priya started but Nandini interrupted her.

“Nahi Priya. Ye haq tum kho chuki ho. Tmne waada kiya than a mujhse keh tum mere parivaar ko protect kro gi. You failed Priya. Iski saza tumhe milay gi.”

P: “Mai tyaar hun saza k liye.”
N: “Dekho Priya tmne kitni mushkil mai daal diya hai Ram ko. Tumhari vaja se Shivi ki jaan chli gayi. Ram toot gya hai. Ab jab usko pata chalay ga k jis gun se Shivi ki maut huyi, who uski hai toh who bikhar jaega. Kya tum esa chahti ho Priya? Jo kuch tumne kiya hai uske baad who tumhari shakal b nai dekhna chahta.”

P: “Abhi woh shock main hain. I am sure he will come.”

N: “Kya woh aaya yahan tumse milne ek baar bhi? Apne bache ka sun k bhi?”

P: “I just need to see him once. I want to tell him…”
“I’ll bring him here. You’ll get to see him.” Nandini continued “Once.”
“You’ll tell him, this child’s father is Krish. You were in love with him even before you met Ram. Your wedding with Ram was just a deal you made for Akshay. You couldn’t get over Krish and had a moment of weakness with him.”

“He’ll never believe this. He knows I can’t ever do something like this.” Priya replied indignantly.

“That’s your job. Convince him. Make him believe.” Nandini shrugged her shoulders.
P: “I won’t lie to him. Not about my child. Why should I?”

Nandini smirked and leaned forwards.

“Now you’re asking the right questions. Look at this video. It clearly shows Ishaan pointing the gun at Shivi. The gun in question is licensed under Ram’s name. It has the fingerprints of all three of you on it. You know I can easily prove this was a planned murder, not an accident. Phir Ishan, Ram aur tum teeno jail jaoge. Teen zindagian barbaad ho jaengi. Kya tum esa chahti ho Priya? Now you have two options. Either do as I am saying. Ye sab ek accident consider hoga. You’ll get some jail time. Do saal baad aram se apne bache ko paalna. Your child will at least have a mother. Or your child will grow up in an orphanage with both its parents in prison. Your introduction to your child will be that of murderers. The choice is yours.”

Priya processed this onslaught for a few seconds and then pleaded through tears.
“I promise I’ll leave forever. This will hurt him so much. Please don’t do this. I’ll tell Mr. Kapoor that I had a miscarriage. Mai apne bache ko hmesha k liye door le jaungi. Then there won’t be any link between us at all. You won’t see me again.”

With a snigger, Nandini replied.
“Bohat dimag chal raha hai tumhara. Tum bilkul vesa karogi jesa maine kaha hai varna jo kuch hoga uski zimedaar tum khud hogi.”

Earlier that day…

“Mom, please have this. You haven’t eaten anything since yesterday. Shivi would want you to take care of yourself.”
Ram tried to placate a visibly upset Nandini. Nandini wept insufferably. Losing a child wasn’t something one could ever get over. Shivi was like a child to him. Her death had left a gaping hole in his heart. He could only imagine Nandini’s pain.

“Shubham ne btaya mjhe, Priya woh gun apne aap ko apne baap se bachane k liye le kr gyi thi pr khudko kya bachati, usne to meri bachi ki jaan le li.”

Ram felt guilty for it was his wife who was responsible for Nandini’s pain.

Tarun came in to inform Ram that his friends were waiting outside.

“I’ll be back in two minutes.”
Ram excused himself and went out. He didn’t notice his cellphone that he’d forgotten on Nandini’s bed.
He saw Adi and Brinda waiting for him in the living room. Adi informed him that he’d heard about Priya fainting in jail. Ram instantly leaped towards the door to go see her but then the promise he’d made to Mom stopped him in his tracks. He turned towards Brinda and asked her.
“Can you please go see her? I can’t.”
“Of course Ram. I understand you wouldn’t want to meet her after what happened.”

Brinda replied.

When Ram went back to Nandini’s room, he saw her getting up from the bed.

“Why are you getting up Mom? Please take some rest.”
“I am not feeling very good, so Shubham is taking me to the hospital.” She replied.
“I’ll call the doctor here.” Ram reasoned with her.

“I want to get out of the house for a while. Everywhere I look, I think of Shivi.” Nandini spoke teary-eyed.

R: “I’ll take you there.”

N: “No. I need you to make preparations for all those things we were going to send to the orphanages in Shivi’s name.”

Nandini needed to go out alone for her plan to work. Glad that Ram had taken the bait, she walked out with Shubham.

Adi turned to Ram and told him.

“Priya has taken responsibility for Shivi’s accidental death. She’ll be sentenced to at least two years in jail.”

Ram felt conflicted. His face depicted the same. Adi voiced his concerns.

“Ram jo huwa woh ek accident tha. Ye jo ho raha e isko rok le. Warna sab barbaad ho jaega.”

“Shivi ka mje b boht dukh hai lekin… Agar maine Priya ka sath diya toh Mom… Mom ko lagay ga… I turned my back to her. Who bhi jab unko meri zarurat hai.”

“Toh kya Priya ko teri zarurat nai hai?”

Adi reasoned.

Ram saw Brinda walk in.

“Did you figure out why Priya fainted? Is she ok…”
He stopped when he saw Nandini entering behind Brinda.

R: “Oh Mom… I am so sorry… Priya was unconscious… she’s in jail… so…I…”

N: “Priya is your wife Ram. If you’re concerned about her, you don’t have to apologize to me or give any explanation.”
R: “After what happened, I don’t want you to feel that I am not with you. I’ve kept my promise. I didn’t even go to see her once. I am with you.”
N: “I know, Ram. I know that you’re standing by me. You’ll always be there. But I also know that you still love Priya. That is why I came to give you good news.”
R: “Good… good news?”
N: “Yeah. I wanted to tell you earlier actually, but you know how my health is, especially after what happened to Shivi. When you went out to see Adi, you forgot your cellphone in my room. Priya called. She wanted to tell you something.”
R: “What?”
N: “She is pregnant.”
R: “What… pregnant… you mean… me… I am… I am going to be a father.”
N: “Congratulations! I am happy for you Ram, so I am releasing you from the promise you made to me.”

Ram, overcome with emotion, hugged her. He ran out towards his car when he heard Nandini call out behind him.

“Ruko Ram. Apni bahu ko mai b lene jaungi.”

Ram stormed out of the police station, not believing any of her lies. He just couldn’t understand why she was doing this.

I want to move to the post-leap part of the story, so I am summarizing the rest of it. Nandini manipulates Ram into believing the lie she planted. When she fails to convince him, she offers him to get a paternity test done. Krish agrees to go ahead with the test so that everything would become clear. Nandini pays off a nurse to interchange the samples.

Ram breaks down upon receiving the test results. Nandini consoles him and tells him that only they’re his family.

I’m sry but I expected something good here

As usual ram is a fool and nandini manipulative

I am going for the same story till the leap and a different one after it.

Part 4

Five years later…

“Pihu, come back and finish your food.”

Priya ran after her four-year-old who was in no mood to listen and was prancing around the room, giggling at her mother. Amid this chase, Priya entered the bedroom they shared.

“Pihu! What have you done? Why are all your clothes on the bed?”

“Ms. Sood! I needed to decide what to wear. I must look my best, you know.”

Pihu answered, exasperated at her mother’s inability to understand.

Priya sighed, as this action of her daughter, like many others, reminded her of a certain man who lived rent-free in her mind. She consciously tried not to think of him and picked up Pihu’s clothes.

“We’re just going to the park, Pihu. What is this Ms. Sood? I am your Mumma.”

“But everyone calls you Ms. Sood.” Pihu reasoned.

Priya was about to respond to her when her phone rang. It was her boss on the other end.

“Ms. Sood, are we ready for the meeting with SK and associates?”

“Yes Mr. Agarwaal. I just need to work on the final touches to my presentation.” Priya replied.

“That’s good. There is one caveat though. The other party wants us to come down to Mumbai now. They’re the ones investing, so we’ll have to accommodate them. The Minister will also be in Mumbai, so we don’t really have a choice. I don't want to lose this at any cost.”

Mumbai: the city of her birth, the city where she grew up, found love, and then lost it; despite being very close to her heart, wasn’t a place she ever wanted to go back to. He lived in Mumbai; she couldn't risk going back. The only reason she’d managed to stay away was miles of distance she’d put between them. He wouldn’t want her back either, but she didn’t want to think of that. It still hurt as if the wound was raw.

“Ms. Sood?” Mr. Agarwaal was getting impatient on the other end when she didn’t speak for a while.

“Okay Sir. I’ll ask Zahid to make the arrangements.”

It’s a big city. What are the odds of coming across him? Moreover, they’d be back in a week. She reasoned to herself. Somewhere, deep in her heart, she wished they’d meet at least once.

A few minutes later, when she was walking to the park nearby with Pihu, she got another call. This time, it was Krish.

“Ajay just told me; you’re coming to Mumbai.”

Ajay Agarwaal was Krish’s friend. Priya had gotten this job due to Krish, after failing to secure a teaching job. No one was ready to give her a chance after knowing the jail tag that was associated with her. She’d quickly learned the tricks of the trade and managed to make a place for herself in Ajay’s company. In the past five years, Krish had been her support system even though she tried her best not to rely on anyone at all. Krish doted on Pihu and had been a real friend in the true sense of the word. She’d cut off all ties with her mother. Sara couldn’t move cities due to her bakery. Maitri had shifted to the US with Neeraj. Akki had also left the country, too heartbroken to continue with his passion of acting after Shivi’s death. Amid this, Krish really stepped up. He moved to Pune, where she was serving her prison sentence, despite her protests. He helped her with Pihu. Afterward, he’d found a job for her in Delhi. Priya was indebted to him for all this. She wasn’t oblivious to his feelings for her either. She always made it a point to clarify to him that they had no future together. Krish seemed to have made peace with that as well.

“Yes, for one week.” Priya replied.

“Awesome. Stay at my place. It’s been so long since I last saw Pihu.” Krish was excited.

“Krish, it’s just been two months. You can see her when you come back to Delhi.”

At Krish’s name, Pihu jumped in excitement.

“Ms. Soo… Mumma please, let me talk to Krish.”

Priya put the phone on speaker. Krish spoke.

“Let Pihu decide whether you both will stay at my place or not.”

“Yes!” Exclaimed Pihu.

“No!” Priya interjected.

“Mumma, please” Pihu held her dupatta and swang it side to side. After Pihu’s incessant pleas she agreed to a compromise. She promised to let her spend one day with Krish. They were both happy with whatever they were getting.

Ram was sitting in his office, looking through the documents the bank had sent. Their loans had been approved and now he was all set to make the biggest breakthrough in his career to date. Despite working so hard, he didn’t expect any credit. He was doing it for Shubham, who was going to reap the benefits of this deal. Everything he did was for them, Shubham and Mom. He’d been selfish once; he’d wanted love for himself. It had ended up destroying everything for his family and broke him in the worst way possible. Now, he was convinced, that love wasn’t meant for him. He toiled long hours and drowned himself in work to bury the pain. He’d be lying if he said, she wasn’t the best thing that happened to his life, but she was the worst as well. Priya Sood Kapoor was the boon and bane of his existence that permeated every fiber of his being. To the world, to his friends, he expressed hatred for her but in private he missed her. He didn’t want her to come back now, rather he wanted to go back in time to that one year they’d spent together, the time when her love wasn’t a lie. The time when Ram Kapoor had dared to love and live for himself.

When Ram entered Kapoor mansion that night, loud noise coming from Shubham’s room welcomed him instead of the usual eerie silence. He made his way towards his room. Shubham had been having panic attacks and fits of rage ever since Shivina died. Initially, Ram tried to help, but Nandani stopped him. She’d asked him to stay away from Shubham in times like these and let her manage it alone. He’d felt alienated but respected her request. He felt guilty for Shivi’s loss and Nandini never let him forget that.

He was about to enter his room when he saw Nandini walking toward him. She caught up with him and spoke in a dejected tone.

“Look what she did to us, Ram. She destroyed all my children. I curse myself for the day when I went to her house to ask for her hand in marriage for you. If only, I could go back in time.”

Later, when Nandini returned to her room, she found Shubham already sitting there. On seeing her he spoke.

“Mom, I don’t understand why you keep talking about her with Ram Bhai. She’s gone from our lives forever.”

Nandini smirked and replied.

“I don’t want him to get over her. I want him to keep wallowing in self-pity, so he stays loyal to us. All it takes is to keep rubbing the wound, so it doesn’t heal. I can’t risk another woman coming into his life. I made a big mistake with that Priya, and I won’t repeat that ever. We need him to support this lifestyle at least till you take over everything. I can’t carry on forever. You need to step up Shubhu.”

Shubham made a face at his mother’s comments and asked her another question.

“If that is so, why do you keep pushing Vedika onto him?”

Nandini smiled at her son with a look of pity. If only, he’d inherited her smarts.

“Priya’s grief doesn’t let Ram move on. Vedika keeps away anyone who’d help him heal. It’s a win-win for us. The day Vedika oversteps her boundaries, I know how to manage her.”

Priya held Pihu’s hand to keep her from running away as they exited the airport. Krish had come to pick them up. Priya looked around expecting to see Ram. The next second, she chided herself for her stupid thoughts and wished not to come across him the whole week.

Sara came to meet her. She picked Pihu up, kissed her cheek, and sat down with the little girl in her lap.

“It’s so good that you’ve come now, Priya. Please stay another two weeks and attend our wedding. I’d love you two to come.”

Priya shook her head and replied.

“Why did Vikrant have to be the man you marry? You know we can’t come there. He’d be there.”

Sara, though dejected, made another attempt.

“Okay fine! At least help me with the shopping.”

She beamed happily when Priya agreed.

“Okay, then Pihu! We’ll go to the mall tomorrow!”

Brinda plopped herself beside Adi and spoke.

“I think I’ve finally found the girl that’d be right for Ram.”

“You said that about all the fifteen others you found this year only.” Adi snickered.

Brinda hit his arm in exasperation and spoke.

“It’s high time he moves on. I just want him to be happy again.”

Adi shook his head at his wife and replied.

“I don’t think there is any use of this matchmaking you keep trying. He still wears the wedding band she gave him. He says he does it so it keeps reminding him of her betrayal as if anyone would believe that.”

Brinda sighed and spoke as she dialed Ram’s number.

“I hate her. I hate her for what she did to our Ram, but I won’t stop trying. Some day he’ll meet someone who’ll bring him back to life.”

When Ram picked up the phone she spoke.

“Hey Jaan! I need a favor.”

When he replied in the affirmative, she continued.

“I’ve ordered a present for Adi for our anniversary. Can you please pick it up from the store? I’ll text you the address and time. I need to take care of the rest of the planning to surprise him. Thank you! Love you so much!”

Nice story

Continue soon

hoping ram get back his senses and truth will be revealed soon