This is my objective opinion: Ram marrying Priya while being supposedly committed to Kriti is not cheating, except in the sense of disrespecting a sacred bond, IF they believe in the upcoming religious rituals. All the parties know what's what. Both Ram and Priya are unwilling-but-willing participants, for whatever stupid reasons. I buy Ram's, though I find what Shalini did to force his compliance offensive. Priya's reasoning is truly idiotic. Kriti's newfound objections don't count for me, because she started it all out of selfishness and she seems to have no consideration for anyone but herself by trying to stop it using cheap tricks. The impression I get is she wouldn't care if Shalini died and she hasn't even considered the impact on the Soods, were the wedding to be called off at the last minute. So, unfortunately, while I could empathize with her at first, EK has gone down her usual route and demonized her. Doesn't help that she's a one- or two-note actress.
What is being called a marriage isn't really a marriage. AS IT STANDS, there's no cheating far as the romantic angle or potential triangle goes. Yes, if it carries on so that Ram falls for Priya and acts on it without closing the K chapter, that would be cheating, IMO, but I'm pretty sure Ramji won't do that (or self flagellate himself to death if EK dares to go in that direction). Nah, Ramu always comes with enough built-in justification. So, basically, most are put off at the idea of Ram making googly eyes, and variations thereof, at Priya while he's not actually morally free to do that? This makes me morally compromised, because I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday's sp. It was what's been missing for weeks, at least far as I've seen and read. NM and DP together just bring it, far better than in individual scenes. And I felt vindication at Priya's appearance leaving him stunned and speechless. Probably he can be called shallow, but I don't think there's any harm in appreciating eye candy. Sadly for Kriti, Ram-Priya's interaction, even as almost strangers, comes across as more real than Ram and Kriti's.
The real cheating is what they're doing to the parents. I'm guessing the idea is that after 3 months they plan to divorce amicably, saying it didn't work? Has it been discussed at all?