FF: Raya Story - New Chapter 21 updated, Pg 54 on 27 Nov 2016 - Page 30

Chapter 20

Both Priya and Ram go for a walk in this small park. It was a cool night in Bangalore. Light breeze. Not too many people at the park as well. Ram and Priya almost had the park to themselves.. Probably perfect ending for a date.. But in the minds of these 2... nothing like that. They just wanted to enjoy each other's company for a while longer.

Ram: A nice small park... I like it...

Priya: me too. I come here sometimes with my father or by myself.. I like this becoz it relaxes me. I am stuck in a building/lab most of the day... nice to walk outside.

Ram: I can understand the feeling of being inside a building all day... that's what I do. Atleast you have a nice campus... But I am usually in meeting all day... This is awesome... Thanks

Priya: Don't mention it.. I am glad I can be of help...

Ram wanted to talk a little bit about their so called relationship. He wanted to open up with Priya. But all he hears is a cry of pain... Shocked he looks around... He sees Priya on the ground...

Ram: Priya... What happened? Are you all right?

Priya: Ah... In pain... She is holding her ankle.. Trying to get up.. but not able to stand up...

Ram cannot see her in pain... He bends down.. Helping Priya..

Ram: Priya... Give me your hand..He helps her and makes her sit by the side.. Where is it hurting Priya? Show me...

Priya: Ah... My left ankle... She looks down... Pulls hers pants to see what is happened with the ankle... She finds it swollen.

Ram looks down... Sees the swelling on her left ankle... and slowly removes her slippers from her left leg... takes her left leg in his hand to examine it closely... He touches the left ankle near the swelling and Priya screams with pain...

Ram: Priya.. It is swollen Priya... Does it hurt real bad? I am wondering if something is broken... What happened?

Priya: Hurts really bad.... Winces in pain... I guess I did not see the stone over there.. stepped on it and probably twisted my left ankle... Still in pain...

A lady stops by Ram and Priya.

Lady: is everything ok? I see she is in pain.. pointing to Priya

Ram: She just twisted her ankle...

Lady: Oh.. oh... Let me look I am a nurse..

Ram: Great! Please look and let us know if she has done something to her ankle...

The lady looks at Priya's ankle. A lot of tenderness. But Priya is able to do all the movements at this joint. And there seems to be no fracture.

Lady: There seems to be no break as far as I can tell. It just might be a sprained ankle. Here is what I suggest. I have a first aid kit in my car. I will apply the crepe bandage. I suggest get an x-ray now and no putting weight on the left leg. There is a very good hospital nearby.

Ram: Ok... I will take her and get an x-ray.

Lady goes to her car and gets the bandage. She starts to put it on Priya... She sees the worried expression on Ram's face

Lady: Sir, I am sure your wife will be fine.

Ram is shocked to hear that from the nurse...

Ram: But actually she is not my wife... That's what he wanted to say... but decides against it...thinking why go thro' the whole story with a stranger... He actually liked the sound of Priya being called his wife... Only manages to say ...Thanks..

Lady says a few more things to both of them and walks away. Both of them thank her profusely.

Ram helps Priya on her feet. Priya cannot put any weight on her left foot. Instead Ram puts Priya's arms around his shoulder asking her to lean on him.. This way Priya can kind of limp off with him to the car... But unfortunately for Ram this is not comfortable... He is tall na.. and she is petite..

Ram: Priya... are ok?

Priya: I am ok.. Are you able to do this... I mean This is such an inconvenience for you. I am so sorry...

Ram: Priya.. don't worry I am fine... Don't be sorry... Here is what we are going to do. I am going to drive. We are going to the hospital, getting an x-ray and doc's opinion.. Ok??

Priya: No... Just call my father na.. It must be getting late for you.. He will come.

Ram: Priya... With a stern look and voice... No arguing. Your father is an elderly gentleman.. he will be stressed seeing you this way... Let me do it.. And I am not getting late or anything... I cancelled na meeting also.. so no issues... Keep quiet.. and I am doing this... OK...

Priya seeing Ram's face and his voice decides to keep quiet. She thinks in a way he is right. Both Papa and Maa would get stressed..

Priya: Ok.. I guess you are right. Anyway the car keys are in my Purse.

Both of them take about 5 mins or so to reach the car. Ram makes her sit on the side. He is sweating..Priya notices this. But does not say anything. Priya takes the keys from the purse and gives it to Ram. He unlocks the car. Opens the door on the passenger side. But instead of helping her by putting her arms around the shoulder...

Ram: Priya.. It is difficult to make you sit in the car with your arms around my shoulder.. So I am going to lift you...

Priya cannot believe what she is hearing... She is shell shocked... Protests...

Priya: Ram.. No... No... just help me near the door... I can hop in... Please .. no need to lift me... She is scared where Ram may do something to himself... or maybe drop her...

Ram realizes no point in arguing with her. Helps her to the car with her arms around his shoulder. Priya hops into the car. Priya sits down. Ram closes the door. Ram tries to takes his seat on the driver side... But he cannot... Priya has her seat close to steering wheel... She giggles seeing this... Ram get's angry initially... ... But seeing her smile even in that pain... he feels happy... and laughs a bit seeing his plight... Priya after her short giggle.. bends down and puts the seat back... Ram finaly sits and adjusts the mirrors and seat to his liking. Priya directs Ram to the hospital. Ram wants to get Priya to the hospital soon so that she can get an x-ray done and get some pain killers... It bothers him a lot to see her in pain... Within 10 mins they reach the hospital entrance. Ram gets off and grabs a wheel chair from inside. Helps Priya to wheel chair.. and takes her in. Ram parks the car and Priya waits for him inside. Ram manages to find a parking spot soon, grabs Priya's cell phone and purse and walks inside.

Priya: That was quick.. Looks like you found a parking spot easily. I wanted to ask you to grab my purse and phone. Need insurance details from it...

Ram: Priya... with a smile and slightly proud.... Here it is... I already picked it up from the car...

Priya smiles and thanks Ram.. Both of them go the reception desk and request to see a doctor for her leg. After a few minutes they get called in to see the doc..

Doc: Priya, neena.. En aithu? (You... What happened?- Kannada)..

Priya: Hey... Deepthi.. Ninu... Heg Idya? En illa kane... Walk madthida ga... (You, How are you? Nothing dear, I was walking- Kannada) I stepped on a stone and twisted an ankle. Ali obru nurse idru.. (there was a nurse -Kannada) she tied this crepe bandage kane. Asked me to get an x-ray and doc's opinion... So here I am...

Doc: Oh oh... No problem.. Let us see what's up?... yuru yaaru? BF? Athva helde madve madkondiya? (Who's he? Boy friend? Or did you get married without telling anyone?- Kannada) winks...

Ram is puzzled at 2 things. One Priya seems to know everybody around here. Two what are they talking?... He has a quizzical expression, noticed both by Priya and doc.

Priya: Bere kelsa ilva ninge... Aamale helthini... (No better work or what? I will tell later -Kannada)... Anyway this Mr Ram Kapoor

Doc: Hello Mr Kapoor.. I am Deepthi, a classmate of Priya.

Ram: Hi. Nice to meet you. Do you mind if we do the talking after you are done with the check-up. I am anxious..

Doc: Sure... Nadiye wolage... (Let's go in- Kannada) ... You can stay Mr Kapoor.. I will take her and get the x-ray and all...

A nurse comes in and helps Priya to get an x-ray done along with Deepthi. Ram waits for them in the doc's room anxiously.

Doc: Eegadru helthiya yaru ee Mr Kapoor antha... (at least now tell me who is this Mr Kapoor?- Kannada)

Priya: Oh.. Ada... (that-Kannada) He and I were out on an arranged date by parents for marriage... Priya does not want to mention the whole story.. so she just says half the truth...

Doc: Really... Are you kidding? En first date??? I feel so sorry for him... He will run... Laughs... a lot...

Priya: Sumne ire... En gothilla... (Keep quiet, you don't know anything- Kannada) Just talking... FYI.. we are getting married.. aitha... (Ok- Kannada) Need to inform parents... You are the first one to know... Please sumne iru (keep quiet- Kannada)... keep it to yourself... Don't let Ram know also... that I told u...

Doc: Ok... Will not tell anybody... Congrats!!!

Priya: Thanks.

Both of them talk bit more about old days... Get a few different angles in the x-ray. And walk back to the doc's room. Deepthi instructs the nurse and technician to get the x-rays to her room. As soon as they walk back to the room...

Ram: What's up? Any fractures? Everything ok?...

Doc: Don't' worry. I am waiting to see the x-rays. But as far as I can tell no fracture. Just a few more minutes.

Ram: Ok.. He is restless...

Seeing Ram like this bothers Priya... Without thinking she holds his hand to say don't worry everything will be ok... Ram is surprised... but happy and loves the gesture that Priya has shown.. He responds but putting his other hand on hers...

Deepthi, seeing the way these two respond to each other.. Can't believe that this is their first date... I would have defy thought they were married... They are made for each other looks like... I wish them the very best... Doc is called by the Nurse with the x-rays. She looks at them and smiles...

Doc: No fractures.. everything looks good Priya... Don't worry. You should be on your feet in the next few days...

Ram: Thanks.. Doc... That is indeed good news...

Doc: Yes.. But Priya, you cannot walk.. that is cannot put weight on your left ankle for the next few days... Elevated foot. Give you some NSAIDs, Crepe bandage and small clutches to help you walk around yourself. I am sure you can put on the Crepe bandage or... have somebody put it for you everyday. Nothing else... If things don't work out... then we will see.. Ok?

Priya: Thanks. I can manage... But so much of work... and that too at the lab kane...

Ram: Priya, have somebody else do your lab work. You can take a few days off...

Doc: Correct advice... Sumne kelu... Hmmm... Sariyada hudga hudkidya... maja maadu.. and smiles... (Correct advice...Listen quietly, Hmmm...You have got the right guy.. have fun- Kannada)

Priya: Sumne ire...Saaku... Sikkide chance antha... (Keep quiet, enough.. Got a chance...- Kannada.) Anyway thanks. I will see what I can do... Shall we go Ram?

Ram: Thanks doc.. Nice meeting you. Let's go Priya..

Priya with the help of clutches walks without putting weight on her left leg. Ram helps her by carrying all the medicines, her Purse, phone etc... to the car. Both of them sit down and drive home...

Priya: Thank you so much Ram. I am so sorry this happened and you were troubled so much..

Ram: Priya.. Please... Listen I had a very good time today with you. It is unfortunate what happened today.. I wish you very speedy recovery... But one thing I want to tell you... Initially I have said yes to this proposal only becoz of family.. But I am glad I said yes...He wanted to say a lot more... but... words don't come...

Priya: I had a great time with you as well. And I share the same feelings.. I said yes to you for parents...but now I am glad too. I have the utmost respect esp after today. To help me and staying with me all through out... Thanks... Her eyes are moist... She wants to hug him and thank him... but instead she holds his hand... and pulls it toward her and kisses his hand...

Ram is delighted but a little confused... at what Priya has done... He wants to respond to this... But they are at Sharma's house already...